“Prepare Like You’ve Never Won, Perform Like You’ve Never Lost”

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson had a difficult start to his college career, sitting behind two quarterbacks before getting his chance to shine as a fourth-year player. Now, Simpson is shining, as he leads 6-1 Alabama, ranked No. 4 in the country, and is the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy through the first half of the season. However, Simpson still remembers the days when coming to meetings, workouts, and practice felt like a burden.

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"I felt like a lot of times in my years past, it almost felt like I was here, and not enjoying it," Simpson said on Tuesday. "Just kind of miserable walking into the building, not knowing what I’m going to get into, not knowing how it’s going today, instead of just embracing it and understanding my role and understanding that God’s blessed me to be at the best university in the world with the best team with the best coaches.”

Simpson's first game as a starter was a rocky one, throwing for 254 yards and two touchdowns but losing 31-17 to Florida State. Immediately, fans called into question his abilities and his positioning as Alabama's starting quarterback.

Since then, Alabama has turned it around and become one of the hottest teams not just in the SEC, but the nation, rattling off six straight wins (four against ranked opponents). Simpson has completed 70.2% of his passes for 1,931 yards and 18 touchdowns through the first seven games of the season.

He's a different player from the one who sat behind Jalen Milroe, watching the third-round quarterback command Kalen DeBoer's offense. Alabama's struggles against unranked opponents last season cost the Crimson Tide a College Football Playoff appearance. Many wonder what could have been if Simpson had seen meaningful snaps last season, but he's not worried about that.

"It didn’t happen, but I’m glad that God’s put me here."

Now, those same concerns against unranked opponents have Alabama fans worried as the Crimson Tide travels to Columbia, South Carolina, for a date with the unranked Gamecocks (3-4). Simpson isn't worried about past situations or current accolades as Alabama prepares for the road trip. His only concern is winning.

"I just want to win, period, point blank," Simpson said. "Whatever it takes to share those three to five minutes in the locker room like I had after last week. That’s all I care about, man. I’m going to make sure that I do everything I can to prepare. We say in the quarterback room, 'Prepare like you’ve never won. Perform like you’ve never lost.’ That’s how our mindset is, and whatever it takes, that’s all I care about, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

Prepare like you've never won. Perform like you've never lost. That's the mantra of the Alabama quarterback room. That level of preparation will have Alabama ready for any situation, and that level of performance could have Alabama playing well into Winter.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.