Reese Strickland-Imagn Images
By Hunt Palmer
This season struck fear deep into the hearts of Alabama fans on Labor Day weekend.
A Florida State program fresh off a 2-10 season pummeled Alabama in Tallahassee. Added to last season’s 9-4 mark, it appeared dark times might be ahead for the Tide. Instead, Alabama has ripped off seven straight wins, including four against ranked opponents.
Ty Simpson is playing some of the best football in the country, and Alabama looks ticketed for the College Football Playoff. Does it feel like one of the Saban-driven forces of the past? No, but Alabama is in the mix entering November.
A reminder that the smaller the ranking, the better the statistic.
Green: Top 25
Red: Bottom 50
OFFENSE
Scoring Offense: 30th, 34.4 points per game
Total Offense: 50th, 410.5 yards per game
Yards per play: 47th, 6.1 yards per play
Rushing Offense: 114th, 118.8 yards per game
Yards per carry: 116th, 3.6 yards per carry
Rushing Attempts per game: 103rd, 32.8 attempts per game
Rushing Touchdowns: 105th, 9
Passing Offense: 15th, 291 yards per game
Passing Attempts: 31st, 34.9 attempts per game
Completion Percentage: 17th, 68.1%
Passing Touchdowns: 3rd, 24
Interceptions Thrown: 2nd, 1
First Downs: 20th, 22.6 per game
Third Down Conversions: 16th, 50%
Fourth Down Conversion attempts: 34th, 20
Red Zone Touchdown Percentage: 8th, 76.4%
20-plus yard plays: 54th, 39
10-plus yard runs: 124th, 26
20-plus yard passes: 28th, 33
Sacks Allowed: 63rd, 15
Tackles For Loss Allowed: 45th, 4.8 per game
Time of Possession: 13th, 32:46 per game
This Alabama offense is a ball control unit. It’s just done through the air. The Tide completes a high number of passes which helps a ton on third downs. They convert regularly on those third downs and win time of possession. They’ve also done a great job of finding the end zone in the red zone.
The running game has not been a strength, neither has explosiveness. Still, Alabama has been a productive offense that has done enough to win games.
DEFENSE
Scoring Defense: 20th, 18.3 points per game
Total Defense: 24th, 312.1 yards per game
Yards per Play Allowed: 50th, 5.3 yards per play
Run Defense: 73rd, 149.1 yards per game
Yards per Carry Allowed: 95th, 4.5 yards per carry
Rushing Touchdowns Allowed: 49th, 11
Passing Defense: 12th, 163 yards per game
Completion Percentage Allowed: 50th, 60.3%
Yards per Passing Attempt Allowed: 20th, 6.2 yards per attempt
Interceptions: 41st, 8
Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 13th, 7
Sacks: 82nd, 1.9 per game
Tackles for Loss: 69th, 5.5 per game
Third Down Defense: 55th, 37%
Red Zone Touchdown Percentage Allowed: 41st, 55%
20-plus yard plays: 29th, 27
10-plus yard runs: 70th, 38
20-plus yard passes: 4th, 14
Defensively, Alabama has defended the pass well. It’s not been as good against the run. The most important number is the points allowed, and Alabama has gotten the job done there.
Since Florida State wrecked the Alabama defense on the ground in Week 1, Kane Wommack’s unit has been solid if unspectacular. That’s been a good recipe for this team to rip off wins.
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