As has been the case other times this summer, Tua Tagovailoa was at Alabama's facility bright and early last Saturday.

Outside with his brother, father and others, he went through drills and worked out while most other players were probably still asleep.

While the spring didn't go as planned for Tagovailoa, word is he's bounced back from his two spring injuries and been working hard this summer during this ongoing starting quarterback competition with Jalen Hurts.

Contrary to popular belief, Tagovailoa hasn't won the job yet. Additionally, people acting like Hurts is some run-of-the-mill QB need to take a step back and realize he's a dynamic player that the majority of schools around the country would likely love to have as their quarterback. That said, people in the know will tell you that momentum has continued to build for Tagovailoa this summer and that he enters the start of fall camp on Friday as the clear favorite to win the job.

So why Tua?

It continues to be apparent that the Tide will probably be better in the passing game with Tagovailoa than with Hurts.

That's not intended as a knock on Hurts. It's just that, as people in the Alabama building know, Tagovailoa is special as a passer, especially in terms of anticipation, touch and pocket awareness.

Believe it or not, Hurts actually has a stronger arm than Tagovailoa. And, if you lined both quarterbacks up and had them throw at a net, you'd see there isn't some significant discrepancy in terms of accuracy. But, while most QBs need a receiver to be open in order to complete a pass, the truly special ones throwing-wise have an ability to read a defense at a very high level, anticipate what's going to happen and can throw a receiver open even if they're well-covered. Tagovailoa has all that.

Alabama coach Nick Saban also talks a lot about winning the team. The team's top receivers -- Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith and Jerry Jeudy -- all came in with Tagovailoa last year and have had a relationship with him dating back to the recruiting process. Also, receivers are naturally going to side with the quarterback that gives them the best chance to catch a lot of passes.

Why it's too early to write off Hurts, though

The SEC coach that recently talked to Athlon anonymously about Alabama's quarterback situation summed it well.

"If only we were all so lucky to have the problem Nick has: Two quarterbacks with the talent to win it all," that coach told Athlon. "... Don't believe that idea that if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have one. That's ridiculous. We'd all kill for Hurts and Tua."

Has Hurts struggled as a passer against some of the better defenses Alabama has faced the last couple years? Sure. Did he take advantage of Tagovailoa being out most of the spring? Probably not like he wanted to.

However, there's something you should keep in mind with Hurts. In addition to the ability to make big plays as a runner and having a better arm than he gets credit for, there's more trust in him than in Tagovailoa at this point to not make the big mistake that's going to lose you a game.

That's a big deal.

Tagovailoa's a gunslinger. The feeling is: Yes, he'll probably throw for more yards and more touchdowns but that he'll likely also have more turnovers.

This isn't too discredit anything Tagovailoa did in the national title game, but there was some luck involved, too. Besides his early interception, there was another ball thrown into a congested area in the back of the end zone that was nearly picked off. Also, the late game-tying touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley wasn't actually intended for Ridley. The now-Atlanta Falcons receiver made a great play on a ball that was actually meant for Najee Harris in the back of the end zone.

If you look at his track record with quarterbacks at Alabama, Saban has always gone with guys he trusts will limit mistakes. In 15 games last year, Hurts only had three turnovers while producing 25 touchdowns.

The problem for Hurts is he's up against a QB with some special upside as a passer and -- like in the last three games of last year as well as Alabama's spring game -- he's had issues against defenses with enough talent to cover the Tide receivers and be able to focus in on limiting Hurts' production as a runner.

That's why Hurts is in a position where -- even with all of his accomplishments the last two years -- he'll be the underdog to win the starting job entering fall camp.