As the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares to kick off another football season, they do so with a new starting quarterback in the fold for the first time in two years.

Ty Simpson has stuck around, waiting his turn, and he is now finally getting the chance to take the reins in what is an absolutely critical campaign for Kalen DeBoer in his second year in Tuscaloosa. Simpson was very much around for the transition from Nick Saban to DeBoer, and after playing two years for Saban before DeBoer arrived, he is still close to his former coach.

RELATED: Alabama officially names Ty Simpson as starting QB for season opener

While talking to media during the week of his first career start, Simpson revealed he went to Saban recently for advice on how to handle the nerves of such a big moment. As he always does, Saban provided his player with a thought-provoking answer:

“He told me to play within myself,” Simpson said. “To make sure you keep your team out of negative plays and negative drives. He always said that if you end the drive with a kick — a punt, a PAT or field goal attempt — then you’re in good shape and not dead in the water. So I’m taking that approach and making sure that I march the ball down the field and do everything that I can to move the ball forward and not go backwards.”

It seems like Simpson knows exactly what his job is, and it certainly does not hurt to have the GOAT reinforce the message right before the biggest game of his life.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.