Ty Simpson reveals the one part of his game that must be fine-tuned as Alabama prepares for LSU showdown

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As Alabama gears up for its pivotal SEC showdown against LSU, quarterback Ty Simpson is using the bye week to sharpen one of the Crimson Tide’s most critical offensive components: the deep passing game.

Self-scouting is a common practice during bye weeks, and for Alabama, one area that stood out for improvement was its ability to connect on downfield throws. Simpson’s performance on passes of 20-plus yards has been a mixed bag this season.

According to Pro Football Focus, the redshirt junior has completed 15 of 32 attempts for 431 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception. However, his most recent outing at South Carolina highlighted the inconsistency, as he went just 1-for-8 for 25 yards on deep attempts—missing several opportunities that could have shifted the momentum in a game where Alabama’s offense sputtered for much of the contest.

Ty Simpson Zeros in on Deep Passing Game Ahead of LSU Clash

Through eight games, Simpson’s completion rate on long throws sits at 46.9%, a number he’s determined to improve as the Tide enters the final stretch of the regular season.

“We worked on it a lot this week, and even last week, of just opportunities one-on-one, because this team this week is very good in man coverage, and we anticipate them playing man,” Simpson said after Tuesday’s practice.

“One, I need to give the guys a chance, and then two, we need to be on the same page of how we’re going to run it and the timing of it. But that’s something that we know that we need to work on, and we’ve gotten better at it since we’ve been practicing. So, excited to get an opportunity like that.”

Simpson is expected to have a full arsenal at his disposal this weekend, with wide receivers Isaiah Horton and Lotzeir Brooks both on track to return for Saturday’s prime-time matchup. Alabama currently ranks 17th nationally in passing offense, averaging 291.6 yards per game, and will face an LSU defense that sits 34th against the pass, allowing 191.1 yards per contest.

Despite LSU’s 5-3 record and recent coaching shakeup, Simpson isn’t taking the Tigers lightly.

“Coaching change or not, it’s the same players,” Simpson said. “They’ve been in every game regardless of their record. I think that by far one of the best defensive back ends in the league, if not the country. These guys play hard. They’re in your face. They got good coaches, with Coach Baker as their defensive coordinator, and it’s going to be a challenge.”

Saturday’s game at Bryant-Denny Stadium will mark Simpson’s first start in the storied Alabama-LSU rivalry, a moment he’s clearly embracing.

“Any game in the SEC, coach is gone or not, is hard,” Simpson said. “So, we need to be ready to go and understand that, hey, these guys are going to come after you and, this is a part, one of those games where you stay at Alabama, in my case, or you come to Alabama.

“Alabama versus LSU goes back to since we were kids, of the Game of the Century, the 2019 game, all those players, and that’s one of those type games. So, it’ll be exciting. Two good teams, two great matchups, and we’re going to be ready to play.”

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This story was originally reported by A to Z Sports on Nov 5, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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