Rankin: 'Select boosters' stir up Alabama QB controversy

“Someone else’s number was called. I can’t help that happened. It’s a situation I kind of got myself in as far as not finishing the game, but it’s definitely a situation I can get myself out of.” — Jalen Hurts, Training Days: Rolling With The Tide.

That quote can be taken so many ways now, but based on what Paul Finebaum has been told, Hurts is already out of the running to start at quarterback for Alabama this season.

"I don’t know how much longer Nick Saban is going to able to camouflage this quarterback competition,” he said Monday on the “The Paul Finebuam Show.”

“Tua is going to be the starter. One person indicated to me that right now, there’s a competition for backup.”

So, Hurts has gone from being 26-2 as a starting quarterback to battling Mac Jones for second string?

Alabama did send out pictures of Tagovailoa, Hurts — and Jones — to the media after Tuesday’s practice.

Just saying.   

This “one person” is part of a group of “select boosters” who can watch the scrimmages, Finebaum said. 

Alabama had its first one in preseason camp last Saturday.

As Finebaum pointed out, they’re not allowed to “tweet or text or tell anyone” what happened in the scrimmage, but indicated several have told him “what they saw.”

I don’t know how they personally feel about Hurts.

Some probably like him, but think Tagovailoa is just better.

They had good reason to feel that way before the scrimmage.

They still vividly remember seeing Tagovailoa that January night in Atlanta replace Hurts at halftime and throw three touchdowns in leading the Tide to a 26-23 comeback overtime win over Georgia in the national title game.

Some probably don’t, didn’t appreciate Hurts speaking out and don’t want to see him play another down for the Crimson Tide.

Remember what Hurts said at Alabama media days about some Alabama graduates.

“Ever since the championship game, people have counted me out,” Hurts said. “People have said I’m going to go to Texas or go here. Whatever it is. Alumni have said that. The list goes on, but regardless of what people are going to say, I’m still here.”  

It’s safe to say at least one of those “select boosters” graduated from Alabama.

This is one of the elements of the quarterback competition Saban can’t control.

He can say the media created a quarterback “controversy,” which it didn’t, but these are supporters of the program declaring a starter just two weeks into camp and sharing their thoughts with Finebaum, who has the biggest and most passionate audience in Alabama.

They knew he’d take it to the airwaves Monday, but I wonder how many “select boosters” will be allowed to attend Alabama’s second scrimmage Saturday?

Saban is scheduled to speak to the media Thursday and Saturday. He’ll probably address the competition between now and then.

Try to defuse Finebuam’s report if asked about it.

More:Outside of Alabama QB battle, keep eye on Ruggs III

Alabama is two weeks away from its Sept. 1 opener against Louisville. Recent history has shown Saban waiting until the Crimson Tide take the field before naming a starter.

The question is will Saban stick to that formula or with all the circumstances involved force him to name a starter sooner than he'd like.

After all, based on what Finebaum's been told, that’s already been determined.