Statistically Speaking: A first look at Alabama

Alabama and LSU enjoyed an open date over the weekend.

Now, it’s time to renew one of the nation’s most high-profile rivalries. Both teams are 6-2 with every goal still on the table. LSU rolled into the bye with beatdowns of Mississippi State and Kentucky. The Tige handled Texas A&M after consecutive losses for the first time in the regular season since 2007.

Kalen DeBoer has his hands on the Alabama program now. It’s year three for him, so Nick Saban’s presence has faded. Let’s take a look at the Tide entering November.

OFFENSE

Scoring Offense: 12^th, 39.8 ppg

Total Offense: 4^th, 411.9 ypg

Yards per play: 21^st, 6.6

Rushing Offense: 75^th, 171.9 ypg

Yards per carry: 68^th, 4.4 ypc

Rushing Attempts per game: 86^th, 34.4 apg

Rushing Touchdowns: 23^rd, 19

Passing Offense: 31^st, 260.0 ypg

Passing Attempts per game: 94^th, 28.3 apg

Passing yards per attempt: 10^th, 9.2 ypa

Completion Percentage: 29^th, 66.8%

Passing Touchdowns: 42^nd, 15

Interceptions Thrown: 43^rd, 5

First Downs: 63^rd, 28.0 per game

Third Down Conversions: 44^th, 33.2%

Fourth Down Conversion attempts: 129^th, 8

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 8^th, 76.5%

20-plus yard plays: 21^st, 45

10-plus yard runs: 58^th, 40

20-plus yard passes: 15^th, 35

Sacks Allowed: 120^th, 2.9 per game

Tackles For Loss Allowed: 104^th, 5.9 per game

Time of Possession: 48^th, 30:44 per game

This is an efficient offense that produces big plays and scores quickly. Quarterback Keelon Russell really got off to a great start this season but scuffled in the loss to Tennessee. He threw a pair picks in that game, and the running game never showed up to help.

Once again, Alabama is struggling up front on the offensive line. They allow too many negative plays and can’t find a consistent ground game. That’s becoming a big concern in DeBoer’s program.

Ryan Coleman-Williams has missed time. We’ll see if he suits up on Saturday. There are plenty of playmakers on the Alabama offense.

DEFENSE

Scoring Defense: 45^th, 21.3 ppg

Total Defense: 41^st, 330.4 ypg

Yards per Play Allowed: 51^st, 5.2 ypp

Run Defense: 27^th, 108.0 ypg

Yards per Carry Allowed: 18^th, 3.1 ypc

Rushing Touchdowns Allowed: 31^st, 8

Passing Defense: 86^th, 222.4 ypg

Completion Percentage Allowed: 75^th, 62.1%

Yards per Passing Attempt Allowed: 106^th, 7.8 ypa

Interceptions: 5^th, 12

Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 50^th, 10

Sacks: 37^th, 2.5 per game

Tackles for Loss: 75^th, 5.1 per game

Third Down Defense: 30^th, 33.3%

Red Zone Touchdown Percentage Allowed: 67^th, 59.3%

20-plus yard plays allowed: 70^th, 33

10-plus yard runs allowed: 20^th, 25

20-plus yard passes allowed: 83^rd, 25

The stat that sticks out is the interceptions because of the way Sam Leavitt played early in the season. He’s played a couple of clean games entering the bye, but Mississippi State did pick one off that was then overturned by replay. Alabama has some players in the secondary that get their hands on the ball.

Beyond that, it’s a good, not great defense for Kane Wommack.

LSU has moved the ball on everyone this year, especially at home. This Tide defense isn’t the force of nature some of those Saban teams had.