Ty Simpson looked like a lock for the Heisman Trophy just a month ago. Now, the Alabama quarterback heads into the College Football Playoff fighting to prove he still belongs in the first round of the NFL Draft.
After leading the Crimson Tide on an eight-game winning streak, Simpson and the No. 9 Crimson Tide stumbled down the stretch, limping into the postseason with a 10-3 record. Next up is a daunting road trip to Norman, where Simpson must lead his team against the No. 8 Oklahoma Sooners, a squad that has beaten Alabama twice in the past two years.
What Is at Stake for Ty Simpson in Norman?
Simpson enters this playoff clash under immense pressure. Once considered one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy, his stock has plummeted alongside the team’s late-season slide. He has since fallen outside the top 10 of the prestigious award’s rankings.
ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers laid out the reality of the situation during Wednesday’s segment of the “Get Up” show, defining this matchup as a pivotal moment for Simpson’s professional future.
“I agree that so much is at stake and here’s what I think,” Rodgers said. “I think it’s either a top-10 pick if he plays well against Oklahoma, gets on a run in the College Football Playoff. Or I think it’s go back to school. It’s that big of a swing game of what will happen against Oklahoma or in the playoff.”
“At one point, through 10 games, he had 22 touchdowns to two touchdowns, he was completing 67% of his passes, 280 yards a game. He was playing at a level where you didn’t think that anybody was close. In the last three games, he’s looked like a shell of himself. If he’s healthy and he plays well, he can still play himself into a top-10 pick.”
The statistical drop-off paints a stark picture of Simpson’s recent struggles. Over his last six games, he has managed just eight touchdowns against four interceptions. His completion percentage dipped to 58.1%, and his quarterback rating of 120.3 ranked No. 90 nationally during that stretch.
Does Brent Venables Expect Simpson to Struggle?
Despite the quarterback’s recent issues, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables isn’t counting on a poor performance. During his weekly news conference ahead of the matchup, Venables made it clear he expects to see the dangerous playmaker who dominated the first half of the season.
“He climbs the pocket,” Venables said. “He’s patient, he’s got great confidence. He’s got tremendous arm talent. He’s a fantastic athlete, great competitor. He’s got a natural leadership ability.
“He’s a guy that doesn’t flinch very easy. And so our expectation is we’re going to see the best version of Ty that’s prepared, confident, and ready to lead his team.”
For the season, Simpson has thrown for 3,268 yards with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also added 98 rushing yards and two scores on the ground for Alabama.
