Oklahoma HC uses cold, hard facts to prove why Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson should be the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy
Brent Venables proved why Ty Simpson should be atop the Heisman Trophy race.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has a chance to stamp its ticket to the College Football Playoff this weekend with what would be a defining win over the Oklahoma Sooners. Of course, then the team still has two games to close out the season, but Alabama will be judged based on what happens this Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
A lot of that will come down to how well Ty Simpson plays against an Oklahoma defense that is not only among the best in the SEC, but the best in the entire country. A good day at the office could solidify his stake for the Heisman Trophy.
One of the many reasons is Simpson’s ability to protect the football. An ability (among others) that has Brent Venables singing Simpson’s praises.
Brent Venables champions Ty Simpson’s quarterback play
“He’s a coach’s kid. He’s been around the game, got great maturity, great decision-making, arm talent, and it keeps him out of bad plays. Their turnover margin, they lead the SEC and there isn’t a stat that’s more important than that,” Venables said of Simpson on Monday.
Here’s the thing. Everyone wants to talk about the deep shots downfield to Ryan Williams. Or the anticipatory and layered throws over the middle of the field to players like Germie Bernard. Or even his ability to go off script, ad-lib, and make plays out of structure.
All of that matters; it’s all impressive. It’s why Simpson has a shot to win the Heisman and be a top-five pick come April. But if Alabama is going to win against the Sooners, or the SEC championship, or even in the CFP, they are going to have to take care of the ball. Especially with some of the run game issues currently plaguing the offense. And that’s what catches the eye of defensive masterminds like Venables.
“It’s emphasis. We talk about what our identity is, and what you just heard from me, and the things I think are important are what the team heard on Sunday,” said Kalen DeBoer during his weekly presser via Bama Central on YouTube. “We got in the team room and reviewed what went well, where we’ve got to improve, but we talk about that. It doesn’t happen by accident. We’re working on ball security drills, stripping the ball, knocking it out.”
“Our guys believe and know that if they give the effort in practice, work on those skills, protecting the ball as an offensive player, going after it defensively and have that mindset of attacking, the habits we have will lead to plays being made. You create your own breaks.”
We’ll see if Alabama can keep creating those breaks on Saturday afternoon.
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