Nick Saban said earlier this week that Tua Tagovailoa will be a game-time decision for Saturday’s big game against LSU, but the Alabama quarterback apparently has a lot to prove before he is cleared.
During Thursday morning’s edition of “SportsCenter,” an audio clip was played from Alabama’s practice that featured Saban telling Tagovailoa about an important milestone he needs to hit before Saturday. The junior, who has been battling an ankle injury, first has to be able to beat the 68-year-old Saban in a foot race. As of Wednesday, Saban said he still had the edge.
Nick Saban said to Tua during a mic’d up segment during practice that just aired on SportsCenter:
“So you know, one of the prerequisites for you playing in this game is you gotta be able to outrun my ass. Aight. You ain’t close yet.”
Tua laughed.
— Connor O'Gara (@cjogara) November 7, 2019
Tagovailoa is probably less than 100 percent healthy, but it would be hard to imagine him missing the biggest game of the year. He has reportedly been recovering better than expected after suffering the ankle injury on Oct. 19, and it is probably a positive sign that Saban was joking around with him during practice.
Tagovailoa has 27 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions on the season, and he and LSU quarterback Joe Burrow are two of the favorites to take home the Heisman Trophy. Saturday’s game has the potential to be the best of the year. We’d be surprised if Tua sat out.
