Alabama vs. South Florida score, takeaways: Revolving QB door keeps turning as No. 10 Tide sluggish in win

After starting Tyler Buchner, Alabama eventually went with Ty Simpson in the sluggish victory

Alabama scraped by USF in Week 3, downing the Bulls 17-3 in a rare road game against a non-power conference opponent. The No. 10 Crimson Tide struggled to generate offense under new starter Tyler Buchner, which paved the way for redshirt freshman Ty Simpson to enter the game late in the second quarter and through the second half. 

Simpson, a former five-star prospect, showed some promise in his first real playing time of the year. He engineered Alabama's first scoring drive -- a field goal to tie the game at 3-3 near the end of the second quarter -- and connected with tight end CJ Dippre for 45 yards in the third quarter -- the longest gain of the game, regardless of team. Simpson finished with 5 of 9 passing for 73 yards. 

Alabama was able to lean on its running game. Crimson Tide running back Roydell Williams had one of the best games of his career, rushing 17 times for 129 yards and one touchdown. Despite the win, Alabama has some things to work on before it opens conference play next week against No. 17 Ole Miss. 

Quarterback competition keeps on turning 

Alabama added a wrinkle to its quarterback situation before the game even began when it was revealed that Buchner -- a Notre Dame transfer -- would get the start over Jalen Milroe. Milroe was QB1 in Alabama's first two games and played every snap of Week 2's 34-24 loss against Texas. 

Buchner failed to impress in his relatively limited playing time. He completed just five of his 14 pass attempts for 34 yards, averaging just over 2.4 yards per attempt, and all five of Alabama's drives with him at the helm ended in punts. Alabama turned to Simpson near the end of the second quarter. 

Simpson finished the game and fared a bit better, leading all three of Alabama's scoring drives. It was interesting that Milroe didn't enter the game at all. He threw for 449 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 92 yards and two touchdowns in his first two starts. He also profiles as the Tide's most athletic quarterback, adding a different dimension to the offense -- one that would have been really useful in a game like USF. 

Alabama's offensive line a big concern

A lot was made during the offseason about Alabama's gargantuan offensive line. It garnered plenty of hype as one of the best units in the nation, and most assumed it would be a strength for the Crimson Tide. Saturday showed that Bama's offensive front still has a long, long way to go. 

The Crimson Tide allowed five sacks -- USF's highest single-game total since 2019 -- and eight tackles for loss. Alabama struggled to pick up exotic blitz looks as South Florida defensive back Daquan Evans led all players with three sacks. The Crimson Tide's o-line struggles will hamstring anyone Alabama's coaching staff decides to trot out at quarterback. 

Tide needs to prioritize running game

While Alabama's offensive line let its quarterbacks down, the Crimson Tide eventually did a really good job of opening running lanes and providing good looks on the ground. 

Nine of Alabama's 10 plays that covered at least 10 yards came on the ground. Williams had two rushes of at least 20 yards, including a 26-yard scamper he parlayed into a 1-yard rushing touchdown -- Alabama's first rushing touchdown of the game. Wiliams combined with Jase McClellan for 203 rushing yards and one touchdown. 

Alabama would be smart to lean on that duo moving forward. A strong rushing attack can cover up shortcomings at quarterback. Having someone like Milroe running the offense can add another dimension to the run game, as well. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:30 pm ET · Will Backus]

USF defensive front having a day

South Florida's defense is up to five sacks on the day, which is its highest individual game sack total since 2019 against UConn. The Bulls have been pushing Alabama's offensive line around, and that has contributed to the Crimson Tide's overall quarterback struggles throughout the game. USF defensive back Daquan Evans has three of his team's sacks, as the Bulls have dialed up a few exotic blitzes to keep Alabama's offensive line on its heels and consistently get to the quarterback. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 7:16 pm ET · Will Backus]

Alabama's offensive line struggling 

Early 4Q: Alabama 10, USF 3

Alabama was hoping to build off its third quarter scoring drive, but the offensive line set it behind the chains. The Crimson Tide took over with just over a minute to play in the third frame and on their first play from scrimmage, Ty Simpson was sacked for eight yards. He was sacked again a few plays later for a loss of six and Alabama was unable to make up for the deficit. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 6:56 pm ET · Will Backus]

Alabama rides big play to the end zone

Late 3Q: Alabama 10, USF 3

It took Alabama almost 40 minutes, but the offense is finally finding its footing. Redshirt freshman Ty Simpson hit tight end and former Maryland transfer CJ Dippre for a 45-yard gain and then the Crimson Tide rode the momentum with a couple strong runs from Roydell Williams. Williams had a carry that covered 26 yards and put the ball on USF's 6-yard line. Two plays later, he plunged the ball in from 1-yard out. Simpson was 2-for-3 for 50 yards on Alabama's touchdown drive. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 6:38 pm ET · Will Backus]

Simpson starts the second half

Early 3Q: Alabama 3, USF 3

After getting the keys to the offense in the second quarter, redshirt freshman Ty Simpson is back out with the Crimson Tide to start the second half. He finished the first half without a completion in three attempts, though he did engineer Alabama's lone scoring drive. This is Simpson's first real game action of the entire year, as the former five-star battled for the starting job during fall camp with Jalen Milroe and Tyler Buchner. 

[Sep 16, 2023 at 6:21 pm ET · Will Backus]

Alabama's offense hitting rare lows

Half: Alabama 3, USF 3

Alabama's offense is stringing together one of its worst performances in modern history. The Crimson Tide managed just three points in the first half against USF, their lowest scoring total in the first half against a non-power conference opponent since 2000 against Southern Miss. It also stands as Alabama's lowest scoring total in either half against a non-power opponent since 2007, when Nick Saban's inaugural Crimson Tide team was held scoreless in the second half in a loss to Louisiana-Monroe.