It has been a long time since Alabama has fielded a quarterback who was truly feared by opposing defenses. AJ McCarron was the closest thing to it from 2011-13, but a dominant run game was normally the main focus for defensive coordinators.

Stopping Alabama’s run game will continue to be a priority, but the question is whether opponents can afford to make that the top priority in 2018.

It’s a new and difficult question to answer because we don’t even know who will start at quarterback. However, if Tua Tagovailoa wins the job over Jalen Hurts, it’s going to be difficult to ignore his ability as a passer.

Here are 5 school passing records Tagovailoa could break if he wins the ongoing battle.

1. Yards in a game

School record: 484 (Scott Hunter, 1969)

Scott Hunter only came 16 yards shy of breaking 500 passing yards in a single game. That’s already impressive, but he also managed to do it in the Iron Bowl against in-state rival Auburn (the Tigers did walk away with a 42-26 victory, however).

The only thing that could prevent Tagovailoa from breaking this record would be game scripts and Nick Saban’s sense of compassion for an overwhelmed opponent. Alabama always fields an elite defense, which could limit what the Hawaii native is asked to do as far as moving the ball through the air.

Other records, such as touchdown passes in a single game, would be easier to come by if Alabama chose to throw the ball in some goal line situations. Passing yardage is a much more difficult record to break.

Everyone was impressed with Tagovailoa’s 166 passing yards in just over two quarters against Georgia in the national championship game. With that said, the 41-yard touchdown pass in overtime meant that he only averaged 62.5 yards in the final two quarters of regulation.

Hunter, on the other hand, averaged 121 yards per quarter during his record-breaking performance in 1969.

2. TDs in a game

School record: 5 (Gary Hollingsworth, 1989)

In just over one half of football, Tagovailoa threw 3 touchdown passes. That was against the nation’s No. 8 passing defense on the biggest stage college football has to offer, too.

In other words, breaking the school record for most touchdown passes in a single game is well within reach for Tagovailoa.

It’s been almost 30 years since Gary Hollingsworth carved up an Ole Miss defense en route to his 5-touchdown performance. The surprising part is Hollingsworth “only” threw for 363 yards in that game, which falls well short of Hunter’s 484.

It might be another Ole Miss defense that’s on the receiving end of this record being broken. The Rebels have one of the top offenses in the SEC, but the defense leaves a lot to be desired.

In other words, there could be a shootout in Oxford on Sept. 15.

3. Yards in a season

School record: 3,487 (Blake Sims, 2014)

The 2014 season didn’t end the way Alabama wanted it to after the Tide suffered a Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State. That season did produce at least one favorable memory, however.

After being described as a running back playing quarterback, Blake Sims set fire to defenses under offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Sims averaged 249.1 yards as he broke the school record for most passing yards in a season. (Only three Tide QBs have topped 3,000.)

Two things helped Sims achieve that record: 1) getting the second-most passing attempts in a season (391) since Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa and 2) several dominant performances from top wide receiver Amari Cooper (124 receptions, 1,737 yards, 16 TDs).

With such a deep stable of running backs, it’s possible that Tagovailoa might never get a crack at this record. But if Alabama plays 13, 14 or 15 games, he would need to average no more than 270 yards per game and as few as 233 to break it.

4. TDs in a season

School record: 30 (AJ McCarron, 2012)

McCarron had one of the most efficient seasons for a quarterback in Alabama history in 2012. Despite only getting 314 passing attempts, he broke the record for touchdown passes in a single season. He also did that while only tossing 3 interceptions in 14 games.

It would be unfair to expect this sort of efficiency from Tagovailoa, but breaking the 30-touchdown mark wouldn’t be. Despite being limited to mop-up duty for most of last season, the freshman phenom threw for 11 touchdowns on 77 attempts.

That’s one touchdown pass every seven attempts.

McCarron, on the other hand, averaged a touchdown pass every 10.5 attempts. Exceeding 30 touchdowns in certainly within the realm of possibility.

5. INTs in a game

School record: 5 (Ken Stabler, 1967; Scott Hunter, 1970; Jeff Rutledge, 1977)

As much as we love Tagovailoa, he isn’t the perfect prospect. He’s the definition of a gun slinger, and that means he’s going to throw the football to the other team sometimes.

Despite having almost a fourth of the passing attempts as Jalen Hurts, Tagovailoa still threw more interceptions (2 to 1).

The good news is that even if he did break this school record, he’d still be in good company. Alabama fans are very familiar with Ken “Snake” Stabler, and we’ve already established Hunter’s place in history for breaking the record for most passing yards (484), attempts (55) and completions (32) in a single game.

Tagovailoa is going to be a special quarterback. But at the end of the day, you’re going to have to accept the good with the bad.