Nick Saban isn't ruling out playing 2 QBs

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) talk between drills during Alabama football practice, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017, at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com

Nick Saban isn't ruling out that both Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa could have roles for Alabama this season.

"The most important thing is to play the best guy," Saban told ESPN. "And if both guys can play winning football, it's not out of the question that we'll find a role for both guys in fairness to both guys."

Is it likely both will have roles? Probably not.

Either way, though, this competition between Hurts and Tagovailoa for the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback job will soon commence and will be one of the top national storylines leading up to the season.

While it's probably safe to refer to Tagovailoa as the favorite in the competition after his performance during Alabama's win over Georgia in the national championship game, Saban told ESPN that he's assured both players there haven't been any decisions made yet about whom the starting quarterback will be.

"All I've told both players is that they're both going to have the opportunity to compete, and that's all any competitor ever wants," Saban said. "We've won with both, and the kids on our team respect both guys."

To have a chance in the competition, Hurts will surely need to look better in the passing game than he did late last season. He only threw for 112 yards during the Tide's loss to Auburn, 120 yards during Alabama's Sugar Bowl win over Clemson and was just 3 of 8 for 21 yards during the national title game before being pulled in favor of Tagovailoa.

In his conversation with ESPN, Saban again acknowledged the Tide went into the College Football Playoff "fully expecting" to play Tagovailoa if the team needed a spark in the passing game.

Tagovailoa was 14 of 24 for 166 yards with three touchdowns and an interception during the second half and overtime of the national title game.

"We're always looking to create competition on the practice field," Saban said, "and it shouldn't be any different at quarterback."

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.

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