🏈 "If it continues like this, he'd be the first player to be favored for the Heisman who has never started a game." - Todd McShay

[BamaFan334]

Is that line on the starting quarterback a real Vegas line or just something made up? If it's real, I wonder if the line has dropped dramatically for Tua and Hurts has gone into a plus number?

If you're talking about the line in the first post, that's Heisman odds.

There are prop bets out right now on who starts and Jalen is around +400. As I recall, Tua was -600 or -650. I saw it on an off-shore book, not Vegas.

Ahhh, ok. Maybe I got those mixed up. For some reason I thought I saw Jalen -200 or so and Tua at like +400. Maybe I just got all mixed up. After the scrimmage notes I was thinking about digging deeper to see if those odds still stood, ha ha.

 

[JoshB]

So, we're comparing a pick six from a backup QB in a game that is already a blowout to throwing a pick in a big moment? Good lord...

And where would that bet come from? Why do you guys feel the need to constantly put words in my mouth? Where have I ever said Tua wouldn't do well? You're trying to turn my "wait and see approach" into me criticizing or being down on Tua.

Tua could also throw for 3,500 yards this season. He could easily lead the SEC in TDs, in total passing yards, in total offense and accuracy. Until you can be more positive, I see the rest of us replying to your, what-ifs, as nothing more than criticism.

There's a lot of irony is this thread highlighted by a sentence in this post (and this isn't directed at your personally.)

When a person cautions fans should have patience with Tua, warns of mistakes that are undoubtedly on the horizon and how fans will turn if some of these upcoming mistakes have impact on a games outcome it's not being positive, it's criticism.

Yet, when fans cautioned not to write Jalen off this past summer those warnings have been met with criticism of Jalen (with a lot of it being wrong.) We've seen countless comments that weren't even in the same arena as positive. "He needs to transfer" and "He needs to change positions" don't fit under the same hat of the fan who is being positive.

Even the people saying that Tua is going to win the Heisman will admit that he is going to make mistakes. I'm not saying he will lose a game because of his mistakes, I said god forbid that happens what the reaction will be.

You're 100% right on the second part and it kind of illustrates how this has become Tua "fans" vs. Jalen "fans" rather than just Alabama fans. People in here have turned my honest evaluation into "criticism" of Tua and being "negative" on Tua because it's how they've reacted to Jalen.

I'm not down on Tua, I truly believe the sky is the limit for him. I just dont look at the things that we saw last year, whether against scrubs or in the NC, as being indicative of what he can do every single snap. Do I hope he does? Hell yes, I'm an Alabama fan from start to finish but I've also seen guys that have had that one big moment and then be crushed under the impact of expectations. We see it at every level of football. So, maybe Tua is able to handle it but I dont think we do him any good at all to sit all these expectations on a pair of shoulders that have a grand total of zero starts.

 

[JoshB]

There's a lot of irony is this thread highlighted by a sentence in this post (and this isn't directed at your personally.)

When a person cautions fans should have patience with Tua, warns of mistakes that are undoubtedly on the horizon and how fans will turn if some of these upcoming mistakes have impact on a games outcome it's not being positive, it's criticism.

Yet, when fans cautioned not to write Jalen off this past summer those warnings have been met with criticism of Jalen (with a lot of it being wrong.) We've seen countless comments that weren't even in the same arena as positive. "He needs to transfer" and "He needs to change positions" don't fit under the same hat of the fan who is being positive.

As far as Josh is concerned he has turned himself into the Tua outlier. He doesn't strike a balance in what he wants or is looking for with Tua. He wants to leave room for future success, generally speaking, but doesn't speak specifically of what success he's looking for. He is the Tua outlier.

How is that? I've said over and over I think this kids potential is through the roof? What do you specifically want me to lay out about his success? For me, personally, it would be pretty simple. Get more out of the downfield game, dont turn the ball over, remained poised and win. And to ME that is a lot to ask out of a first-year starter let alone people heaping all of this other on him with Heismans and first round picks and records and everything else. I mean I dont know what people are expecting, for Bama to come out and toss the rock around 30 times a game? That's not going to happen. If Tua is in the heisman talk after week one it will be either a) because he had one of the most incredibly productive days ever (and against a Bobby Petrino defense that's never out of the question) or b) Alabama was in a huge shoot out (also very possible with a Bobby Petrino offense), and that will be a bad thing. Personally, I expect a productive day where he gets a few chances to show off that arm but otherwise relies on those running backs to eat clock and force Louisville's offense to watch from the sideline.

 

[TerryP]

Is that line on the starting quarterback a real Vegas line or just something made up? If it's real, I wonder if the line has dropped dramatically for Tua and Hurts has gone into a plus number?

If you're talking about the line in the first post, that's Heisman odds.

There are prop bets out right now on who starts and Jalen is around +400. As I recall, Tua was -600 or -650. I saw it on an off-shore book, not Vegas.

Ahhh, ok. Maybe I got those mixed up. For some reason I thought I saw Jalen -200 or so and Tua at like +400. Maybe I just got all mixed up. After the scrimmage notes I was thinking about digging deeper to see if those odds still stood, ha ha.

Try bookmaker.eu and look for college football props. I'm thinking..actually, fairly sure...that's where I saw the latest lines.

 

[TerryP]

Even the people saying that Tua is going to win the Heisman will admit that he is going to make mistakes. I'm not saying he will lose a game because of his mistakes, I said god forbid that happens what the reaction will be.

It's a unique situation with so many teams in the SEC rebuilding. I don't see very many games where the score would be within 10 points--a game where an interception could mean a loss.

 

[JoshB]

Even the people saying that Tua is going to win the Heisman will admit that he is going to make mistakes. I'm not saying he will lose a game because of his mistakes, I said god forbid that happens what the reaction will be.

It's a unique situation with so many teams in the SEC rebuilding. I don't see very many games where the score would be within 10 points--a game where an interception could mean a loss.

I dont either, until November at least.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

JMO but what separates #13 from #2 is the anticipation/decision factor that #13 has. #13 makes his decision pretty quick in the play. Fact is the ball is out very early in the play on most occasions where as #2 doesn't even have the ball in throwing position in most cases when he should have loaded and fired. I expect the new QB coach to help all three of these guys get better and better. If so then Bama is in high cotton.

We gonna be Aight.

 

[utstnx]

I saw an interview that Reese Davis did with Nick Saban recently. He was asked about if he knew how good Tua was? Saban....Mentioned that they were using last year as a "developmental season" for Tua and decided that they had nothing to loose in the Nat game by playing him. Seems to me that they knew what they had.....and weren't going to use him unless they had too. Seems they were hoping to keep him under wraps until this season. Just the way I took the interview.

 

[UAgrad93]

@BamaBoyJosh I will agree in saying "we aren't going to sling it around 30 times a game!" The last QB to average more than 30+ throws a game was JPW in the '07 season at 35.5 attempts per game. Next highest attempts was Blake Sims in '14 at 27.9 attempts per game. During AJs tenure, he was 25, 22, and 25.8 attempts per game.
I too want to see the downfield passing game. I think that Tua just happens to be further developed in his understanding of coverages, anticipation of windows, and the ability to get it out quick. With more attempts will come the chances for more mistakes though. I think we stay around 22-25 a game and RUN THA DAMN BALL!!!

 

[T&B]

You commented that it wasn't just one half of one game that is creating this hype when it 100% clearly is.

From June Jones, Trent Dilfer, scouting sites, or all the guys that cover Bama football there is a clear trend that can not be ignored. There is plenty a sample size at this point, and in the most brightest of lights for that matter that show Tua is more likely a budding star than a flash-in-the-pan.

Surely (or shirley if you like Airplane humor) you can see that, no ?

 

[JoshB]

You commented that it wasn't just one half of one game that is creating this hype when it 100% clearly is.

From June Jones, Trent Dilfer, scouting sites, or all the guys that cover Bama football there is a clear trend that can not be ignored. There is plenty a sample size at this point, and in the most brightest of lights for that matter that show Tua is more likely a budding star than a flash-in-the-pan.

Surely (or shirley if you like Airplane humor) you can see that, no ?

Do you guys purposely ignore all of the things I say about him being full of potential, sky's the limit, *insert whatever pun you want to* ? I've clearly said it over and over. This argument isn't just going in circle. I'm done with it. Looking forward to the season starting and seeing if Tua can live up to the hype.

 

[TerryP]

@BamaBoyJosh, this very conversation, almost point by point, came up on yesterday's College Football Live podcast. It was literally eight months of conversations here broken down to a five minute segment there.

Conversations going in circles? Oh yeah.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Do you guys purposely ignore all of the things I say about him being full of potential, sky's the limit, *insert whatever pun you want to* ? I've clearly said it over and over. This argument isn't just going in circle. I'm done with it. Looking forward to the season starting and seeing if Tua can live up to the hype.

Right now, I'm afraid it's just a little too much of your reputation going before you, what can I say? I do think it's possible for you to change the Tua outlier narrative, in time, but man, it's gonna take all the honest, self-analysis and discipline you can muster up on these QB threads. On the positive side, I think at your age, it's definitely doable.

This Bama crowd can be a tough place to flip the script but I wouldn't say it's impossible for you. Improbable, maybe, but not impossible. If you like, why not just PM me from time to time during the season and I can help walk you through some of these Tua threads? Remember, you show me your friends and I'll show you who you are.

Your potential mentor and buddy,
TUSK

 

[pop2]

Yes....started ignoring all you have said long ago.

 

[Elderfalsedemigod]

With the stable of WRs and RBs Alabama has this year, if Tua continues to show the split second recognition and accuracy he has shown so far and the OL does it's job he could very well be looking at a Heisman type season. Don't know if he will win it (rarely does the preseason front runner win it) but the potential is definitely there. JMO As far as too much pressure, I don't see that being an issue. Coupled with his seemingly great attitude you can't ignore the fact that the kid came off the bench and led a comeback on the biggest stage available in the CFB world. But, but, but it is just a half of football. Yep and Amen corner is just 3 holes on a golf course.

 

[JoshB]

Yes....started ignoring all you have said long ago.

I have no idea who you are

 

[TerryP]

Desmond today goes to the line of "it's a knee jerk reaction to one half of a game." It goes along with some of the posts in this thread, but it also elicits a question.

When has Vegas had a knee jerk reaction in the past?