Saban: Alabama to continue QB platoon

Alabama's Nick Saban still isn't ready to name a permanent quarterback, and indicated Thursday that Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts could split duties for the entire season.

"It's the same as it's always been, to use them both," Saban said to ESPN's Chris Low. "It evolves a little bit as you go. Our team has evolved. I can't tell you exactly how it all will play out. It's going to be whoever helps our team play the best, and they've both played a role in doing that."

Tagovailoa has started all three games to open the season and the Crimson Tide's offense has looked unstoppable with him in the saddle. Hurts has also seen extensive action in each contest and has engineered his fair share of scoring drives.

While Tagovailoa boasts the more impressive numbers, Saban acknowledged he'd have a tough time pulling the plug on Hurts, who went 26-2 as a starter over his first two seasons in the program.

"I understand how unique a situation this is," Saban said. "I don't know of any other precedent at any time in college football where a guy started 28 games, won 26 of them and then somebody took his place. That's never happened. So that's hard for Jalen, and it's hard for me. I'm a loyal guy and loyal to the guys who get out there and lay it on the line for you. You want to be fair to all of your players, but you also want to be fair to your team. We needed both quarterbacks last year, and we'll need them both again this year."

Tagovailoa appears destined to serve as Alabama's quarterback of the future, but Hurts' future in Tuscaloosa is less certain. The junior is on track to graduate before the 2019 season and would carry two years of immediate eligibility with a new school if he plays no more than four games this season.

No. 1 Alabama is gearing up to face No. 22 Texas A&M on Saturday.