KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No.3 Alabama Coach Nick Saban told ESPN on Friday that the quarterback Bryce Young on track to play seventh in 6th place Tennesseebut the final decision will be made during the launch of the pregnancy.
“He’s been practicing a lot more this week and throwing a lot more than he did a week ago,” Saban said. “He wants to play and feels like he’s fit enough to play. We’ll know for sure once he’s on the pitch, start throwing and how he feels afterwards.”
Young, the Heisman Trophy winner a year ago, missed the 24-20 win over Alabama last week Texas A&M after spraining his right shoulder thrown a week earlier to fight Arkansas.
Saban said last week that Young was a game-time decision, but Alabama decided before the game that he wasn’t ready and instead played the freshman redshirt Jalen Milroewho made three touchdown passes but also had three redirects.
Young threw in the tunnel at Bryant-Denny Stadium a week ago before stepping out onto the field to warm up. He stood and watched the other midfielders throughout the pitching portion of the warm-up.
Saban said on Friday that he feels much better about Young’s playing chances than he did at this point a week ago.
The plan was for Young to undergo a full warm-up on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Young didn’t throw on Thursday, but that was by design so he rested for game day.
“There’s no reason to rush back to a midfielder with an injury like this,” Saban said. “Bryce is an opponent he’s always wanted to play against. The soreness he had last week isn’t nearly as bad. You can see that when he throws it. But we still need to make sure every single one of us can be sure. which was checked before the match.”
The Crimson Tide and the Vols meet on Saturday for the first time as the undefeated team since 1989.
Young has passed 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions this season. He also rushed to make three touchdowns. Young was 18-2 at the start of Alabama.
Saturday’s game should have been one of the better quarterfinals of the season in college football. Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker Passed 1,432 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed to make three touchdowns.
