As good as Jacob Coker was in leading Alabama to 45-40 victory over Clemson for the 2015 College Football Playoff national championship, Blake Sims’ 2014 season was still statistically better.

Sims set single-season school records for passing yards (3,487) and total offense (3,837 yards), but he faltered somewhat down the stretch, with three interceptions against Auburn (which he compensated for by leading five straight touchdown drives) and then three more against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

That too reminded Crimson Tide fans of AJ McCarron’s final game, when he had two passes picked off by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, tying his career high.

In comparing senior seasons, despite playing one fewer game than Coker, Sims had seven more TD passes, threw for 377 more yards and had a higher QB rating. Coker, meanwhile, had a slightly better completion percentage and threw 2 fewer INTs despite attempting 2 more passes.

Here are the numbers:

Coker
2015 (15 games): 263 of 393 (66.9), 3,110 yards, 21 TDs, 8 Int., 147 rating

Sims
2014 (14 games): 252 of 391 (64.5), 3,487 yards, 28 TDs, 10 Int., 157.9 rating

McCarron
2011 (13 games): 219 of 328 (66.8), 2,634, 16 TDs, 5 Int., 147.3 rating
2012 (14 games): 211 of 314 (67.2), 2,933, 30 TDs, 3 Int., 175.3 rating
2013 (13 games): 226 of 336 (67.3), 3,063, 28 TDs, 7 Int., 167.2 rating

There are two other important statistics to take into account.

1) Coker rushed 76 times for just 60 yards in 2015. Sims finished his career with 705 rushing yards while McCarron had minus-50.

2) Sims’ third-down passing numbers in 2014 were 64-93-2 (68.8 percent), 4 TDs, 803 yards. McCarron’s 2012 numbers on third down were 56-90-2 (62.2 percent), 8 TDS, 724 yards. Coker’s stats in the same situation were 63-107-3 (58.9 percent), 3 TDs, 585 yards.

Overall in 2014, Alabama converted 102 of 199 third-down chances, or 51 percent. In 2012 the Crimson Tide was 80 of 167, or 48 percent. This past season, it was just 80 of 214 or only 37.38 percent. Wow, imagine that. Bama won the 2015 national title despite finishing 86th out 128 FBS teams in third-down conversion percentage.

What made McCarron’s 2012 season so impressive were these numbers: He had 30 touchdown passes compared to just three interceptions, a 10-to-1 ratio, and interception percentage of 0.96 per attempt while capturing his second national championship as a starter.

Sims, meanwhile had a 2.8-to-1 ratio, and 2.6 percentage while winning a Southeastern Conference title.

Here’s how each Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback has fared since Saban’s arrival in 2007:

Year QB TDs/INTs Ratio
2015 Jacob Coker 21/8 2.6/1
2014 Blake Sims 28/10 2.8/1
2013 AJ McCarron 28/7 4/1
2012 AJ McCarron 30/3 10/1
2011 AJ McCarron 16/5 3.2/1
2010 Greg McElroy 20/5 4/1
2009 Greg McElroy 17/4 4.25/1
2008 John Parker Wilson 10/8 1.25/1
2007 John Parker Wilson 18/12 1.5/1

Sims’ 10 interceptions in 2014 — and Alabama’s collective 10 INTs this season — were the second-most since Saban arrived in 2007, when the Crimson Tide had 12 (in 13 games), resulting in 267 return yards. Opponents had 124 return yards two seasons ago and 140 in 2015.