As Alabama gears up for a high-stakes run in the College Football Playoff, all eyes are on quarterback Ty Simpson - and for good reason. The redshirt sophomore has shown flashes of brilliance in his first year as the Crimson Tide’s full-time starter, but his recent dip in production has raised eyebrows heading into a matchup with an Oklahoma defense that already gave him trouble once this season.
The big question: Is Simpson playing through something that’s not showing up on the stat sheet?
Simpson’s Health: What We Know
Rumors have swirled about Simpson possibly being banged up, but the quarterback himself isn’t giving any indication that injury is a concern heading into the CFP.
“I’m great,” Simpson said this week. “I’m excited.
It’s a great opportunity to play in the College Football Playoff. At this point in the season, I don’t know a team who is healthy at all, so fire me up.
I’m ready to go.”
That’s the kind of response you expect from a competitor - confident, focused, and not looking to make excuses. Simpson did admit he took some hits down the stretch, but he kept it in perspective, noting that every team still standing has players dealing with bumps and bruises.
“Everybody is getting hit,” he added. “Everybody is sore in some type of way.”
Importantly, Alabama’s official injury report heading into Friday night’s CFP showdown with Oklahoma does not include Simpson. So, if he’s dealing with anything, it’s not enough to keep him off the field - or even listed as questionable.
A Tale of Two Seasons
While Simpson may be physically cleared, the numbers suggest he hasn’t been playing at the same level that had him flirting with Heisman buzz earlier in the season.
Let’s break it down:
| Stat | First 10 Games | Last 3 Games |
|---|
| Completion % | 66.8% | 54.4% | | Yards/Game | 278.7 | 160.3 |
| Yards/Attempt | 8.2 | 5.3 | | Touchdowns | 22 | 4 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 3 |
That’s a noticeable drop-off in efficiency and production across the board. His completion percentage has dipped by over 12 points, his yards per attempt have fallen off a cliff, and he’s thrown more picks in the last three games than he did in the first ten combined.
The turning point? Alabama’s November 15 loss to Oklahoma.
Since then, Simpson hasn’t looked like the same quarterback. Whether that’s due to physical wear and tear, defensive adjustments, or just a cold streak, it’s clear that Alabama needs him to snap out of it - and fast.
Why Simpson’s Performance Matters Now More Than Ever
Alabama’s Playoff hopes don’t rest solely on Simpson’s shoulders - this is still a Nick Saban team, after all, built on defense, discipline, and depth. But make no mistake: if the Crimson Tide want to punch their ticket to the national title game, they’ll need their quarterback to rediscover the rhythm that made him one of the most efficient passers in the country through the first two-thirds of the season.
And against Oklahoma, that’s no small task. The Sooners’ defense is fast, physical, and already proved earlier this year they can make life uncomfortable for Simpson. If he’s going to lead Alabama deep into the Playoff, he’ll need to be sharper, more decisive, and more like the guy who opened the season lighting up secondaries with precision and poise.
The good news? Simpson says he’s ready. And if his play can match his confidence, Alabama might just have the firepower to make another championship run.