KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Nick Saban is always looking for something to improve on.
When it comes to Jalen Hurts, he had to find something — even if it came after Hurts led No. 1 Alabama to a 49-10 blowout victory against No. 9 Tennessee at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
“We just keep on improving the passing game until we're comfortable,” Saban said. “Because when we play really good teams some of those runs aren't going to be quite so easy."
Hurts needs work — every true freshman does — but he’s making it look really easy against elite competition. Alabama has all the usual national championship ingredients. Hurts might put this team over the top.
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He won his third consecutive road game against a ranked SEC opponent, this time by accumulating 16 of 26 passes for 143 yards, 12 carries for 132 yards and three rushing TDs.
In those three road wins, he’s completing 64.9 percent of his passes and averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Saban, however, likes a quarterback who can take that patented criticism on the field before sorting it out in the locker room.
Did Hurts deserve those talks Saturday?
“He’ll say ‘Yeah,’ so he agrees,” Saban said.
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That moment came when Tennessee’s Derek Barnett drilled Hurts and forced a fumble, which led to the Volunteers’ only touchdown. Hurts responded on the next possession by taking a quarterback sweep 45 yards for a TD.
Hurts’ running opened up more lanes for Alabama’s rushing attack, which compiled 49 carries for 438 yards and five TDs. Damien Harris had 14 carries for 94 yards. Bo Scarborough had 109 yards and an 85-yard touchdown run.
Yet it's Hurts’ dynamic play-making ability that stands out most.
"A lot of these plays are quarterback read plays, and he made a lot of good reads,” Saban said. “I think that's why we were able to run the ball effectively."
Hurts showed that off in the third quarter with two TD runs, the second on which he juked Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy at the 5-yard line for a 21-yard gain. He scored on the next play.
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Hurts set up the next touchdown drive with a 31-yard pass to Calvin Ridley and 23-yard pass to O.J. Howard.
The effects are obvious. Hurts — just a true freshman — continues to develop under offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who made it work with Blake Sims and Jake Coker the last two seasons. Hurts’ ceiling is much higher.
"Each year we've been here we've had a different type of guys playing the quarterback position,” Saban said. “We've been able to adapt systematically now.”
Everything else is there for a national championship run. The front seven tormented Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs in the first quarter to help set up a pick six by Ronnie Harrison. The Crimson Tide have scored 11 touchdowns on either defense or special teams.
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This variation of Saban’s “Process” might be the most frightening because it’s so different. It’s evolved. Hurts will develop, and it’s not perfect yet. He also threw an interception to Barnett.
Yet Hurts offers promise at the position. He’s proved it on the road three times now.
"He's getting better every week,” Saban said. “Obviously his ability to run is something that gives defenses a lot of problems. If he we can continue to improve in the passing game, because of the level of the skill guys, that we have, I think that would be something that could make a big impact on what we do offensively."
