Inside The Numbers: Alabama has been simply dominating going into Week Six
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* How a brotherly bond helps Jalen Hurts on and off the field
* BONE: Coaches to see recruits in Texas
For the rest of the 2017 season, I’ll be (Tyler Waldrep) writing a stat column for BamaInsider.com. Sometimes the numbers will reveal something telling about the team and at other times they might just be quirky stats I happen to think are game relevant.
I’m guessing the format will evolve a little week to week, but the main idea will probably stay the same.
There will be a main stat, two smaller stats then three short and sweet stats at the end. The stats will likely get more specific and involved as the season progresses.
3rd Down Efficiency Rate Against Alabama: 28.1%
This season Alabama’s defense is officially credited with allowing opponents to convert only 18 times in 64 attempts (28.1 percent conversion rate). That puts the defense a little ahead of where it was at this point last season when it allowed opponents successfully convert on 22 of 79 attempts or 27.85 percent of the time.
On average, Alabama’s opponents have needed 7.38 yards to keep their offenses out on the field on third down.
On third down, opposing quarterbacks have dropped back to pass 53 times with an average of 8.39 yard to go. These quarterbacks completed a combined 23 of 48 passes for 177 yards one touchdown and a pair of interceptions. Alabama also recorded five sacks for a total of 38 yards on third down.
All in all, opposing teams only converted when passing 10 times. Teams have actually fared a little better against the Crimson Tide on the ground, picking up the required yards on seven of 10 attempts.
And here’s a breakdown by game.
| FSU | Fresno | CSU | Vandy | Ole Miss | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3rd Down |
4-13 |
3-11 |
10-17 |
1-10 |
0-13 |
|
Avg. yds |
6.38 |
7.09 |
6.59 |
6.6 |
10.2 |
|
Passing |
4-9, 32 |
4-8, 26 |
7-12, 93 |
2-9, 7 |
6-10, 19 |
|
Rushing |
2 for 9 |
3 for 2 |
4 for 16 |
1 for 7 |
0 |
|
Sacked |
2 for 16 |
0 |
0 |
3 for 22 |
0 |
*Colorado State also completed a pass that resulted in a gain just short of the line to gain before a penalty kept the drive alive. (For the sake of simplicity, I also kept this play out of my quarterback numbers mentioned above the chart as well). The Rams also threw one touchdown and one interception (returned 65 yards) on third down.
Jalen Hurts stat comparison from 2016 to 2017
1. The nature of Alabama’s victories this season and the coaching staff’s desire to give backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa some game reps have cut into quarterback Jalen Hurts’ workload.
| 2016 | Production | 2017 | Production |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2016 Passing |
84-135 for 989 |
2017 Passing |
57 for 89 for 747 |
|
2016 Rushing |
54-276 (5.11) |
21016 Rushing |
55-461 (8.38) |
|
Total Yards |
1,265 |
Total Yards |
1,208 |
Hurts’ offensive output has remained pretty
2. Alabama’s offense finished 2016 with 6,828 yards of total offense for an average of 455.23 yards per game. Through five games this year, Alabama’s offense has amassed 2,543 yards for an average of 508.6 per game. If the Crimson Tide can keep up the pace (and play 15 games again) it will finish with 7,629 yards.
The difference between the number of plays is actually negligible as the Crimson Tide is only on pace to finish with six more plays in 2017.
The last time Alabama gave up a touchdown against SEC Comp
- Alabama hasn’t given up a touchdown against SEC competition (in the regular season) since Texas A&M scored in the third quarter. That was 21 quarters, 312 minutes and 12 seconds ago.
- Two Alabama players, tight end Hale Hentges and receiver Henry Ruggs III, are averaging one touchdown per reception. They are also the only players not named Calvin Ridley on the team with more than one touchdown catch- all three including Ridley have caught two this season.
- No opponent has returned any of Alabama punter JK Scott’s 15 punts this season. (Though four went out of bounds and one went for a touchback).
Tyler Waldrep is a staff writer for BamaInsider.com
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READ: How a brotherly bond helps Jalen Hurts on and off the field
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Averion Hurts waited anxiously, hanging on to every word over the phone. His brother, Jalen Hurts, then just a junior in high school, was in the process of leading Channelview to a comeback victory over rival North Shore, a feat Averion never accomplished. Away at college, Averion was limited to the play-by-play of one of his former teammates for updates.
With Channelview down by six at the North Shore 36-yard line with just 5.6 seconds left on the clock, Averion awaited impatiently for a final update. A couple moments and a deep touchdown pass later, the older brother would need a new phone.