Those who have been following the “Review” for some time know that the prevailing theory here is that the key to moving the ball against the University of Alabama defense under the direction of Nick Saban and coordinator Kirby Smart isn’t by speeding things up or playing the spread, but a having good game plan and terrific quarterback play.

That’s pretty much been the one constant in all the Crimson Tide’s losses since 2008. Saturday, Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace was the latest addition to a pretty elite club by helping lead Saturday’s 23-16 victory for the Rebels.

Here are the passing numbers for the opposing quarterbacks during Alabama’s last 10 defeats:

Year Opponent: Quarterback C-A Yards, TDs, Ints., Efficiency rating
2008 Florida: Tim Tebow 14-22 216 3 TDs 0 Int., 191.1
2008 Utah: Brian Johnson 27-41 336 3 TDs 0 Int., 158.8
2010 South Carolina: Stephen Garcia 17-20 201 3 TDs 1 Int., 208.9
2010 LSU: Jordan Jefferson/Jarrett Lee 14-20 208 1 TD 0 Int., 173.9
2010 Auburn: Cam Newton 13-20 216 3 TDs 0 Int., 205.2
2011 LSU: Jefferson/Lee 9-17 91 0 TDs 2 Int., 74.4
2012 Texas A&M: Johnny Manziel 24-31 253 2 TDs 0 Int., 167.3
2013 Auburn: Nick Marshall 11-16 97 2 TDs 0 Int, 160.9
2013 Oklahoma: Trevor Knight 32-44 348 4 TDs 1 Int., 164.6
2014 Ole Miss: Bo Wallace 18-31 251 3 TDs 0 Int, 158.0

Three were Heisman Trophy winners and four, including Wallace, had career/breakthrough games. Subtract the 9-6 overtime defeat to LSU in 2011 and the combined touchdown-to-interception ratio in the other nine games was 24 to 2.

You may have also noticed that Ole Miss didn’t go hurry-up on Alabama either.

  • Play of the game: The turning point was the 50-yard reception by Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram early in the third quarter, right after Alabama failed to score on a 14-play possession that last 6 minutes and 25 seconds. It changed the momentum, got the crowd back in the game and set up Wallace’s first touchdown pass.
  • Player of the game: Wallace showed the poise that was lacking during his first two games against Alabama, when he didn’t have a touchdown pass. For the Crimson Tide it was running back T.J. Yeldon, who had his 14th 100-yard rushing game of his career after finishing with 20 carries for 123 yards.
  • Hit of the game: Channing Ward’s hit on kick returner Christion Jones knocked the ball loose and the recovery by Kailo Moore set up the game-winning touchdown. Honorable mention goes to the security guard who tackled the fan who was throwing things from the top deck at people on the field.
  • Statistic of the game: The Crimson Tide is tied for last in the SEC and 102nd in the nation in turnovers gained with five. Only nine teams out of 125 have four or fewer. Alabama’s turnover margin is also tied for 102nd.
  • Did you notice? Alabama inserted sophomore Alphonse Taylor at right guard for the entire fourth quarter.

Here are 10 other things of note from Saturday’s game:

1. Alabama has lost three straight games against ranked teams: Not only is this the first time it’s happened to Nick Saban at Alabama, but he also never experienced it at LSU. Granted, the Tide lost three games to ranked teams during the 2010 season, but not consecutively. In the middle was a 30-10 victory against No. 17 Mississippi State. It’s the longest streak for the coach since 1995-97 at Michigan State, when his teams lost seven straight to ranked opponents. Nevertheless, for his career he’s 51-36 against ranked teams (58.6 percent).

Record against ranked opponents, active coaches
Bob Stoops 50-24 (67.57)
Urban Meyer 25-12 (67.57)
Jimbo Fisher 10-5 (66.67)
Brian Kelly 16-11 (59.26)
Nick Saban 51-36 (58.62)
Les Miles 40-33 (54.79)
Steve Spurrier 64-53-1 (54.66)
Mark Richt 35-32 (52.23)
Frank Beamer 44-50-1 (46.84)
Bill Snyder 21-43-1 (33.08)

2. Cyrus Jones made the last kick return: Christion Jones nearly had a fumble on his first return and should have been credited with one on his second. Meanwhile, according to ESPN Stats, in Alabama’s five losses since 2010 the Crimson Tide is 5-16 on field goals, including sophomore Adam Griffith going 1-for-3 with misses from 46 and 51 yards at Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide also had more punts, six, than its first four games combined.

3. Alabama had more explosive plays: Saban, defines an explosive play a run of 13 yards or more or a pass of 17 yards or more. Alabama’s goal is nine per game. It had a season-low seven, and just two on the ground. Ole Miss had just four, three of which resulted or led to touchdowns. For the season Alabama has a 58-23 edge in explosive plays.

4. Mistakes index: Basically, it’s a measure of miscues, but it could arguably also be an indirect indicator of maturity and discipline – which Alabama is obviously having some problems with. The mistakes index is fumbles lost + interceptions + penalties + sacks.

Game-by-game
West Virginia 0+1+7+0 = 8
Florida Atlantic 0+0+6+1 = 7
Southern Miss 1+0+3+1 = 5
Florida 3+1+11+1 = 16
Ole Miss 1+1+8+1 = 11

Game-by-game opponents
West Virginia 0+0+6+3 = 9
Florida Atlantic 1+0+3+3 = 7
Southern Miss 0+0+6+1 = 7
Florida 1+2+5+0 = 8
Ole Miss 1+0+3+2 = 7

5. Yards after the catch: One of the impressive aspects of the Ole Miss defense was the way it swarmed to the ball carrier and kept the receivers from breaking into open field. It’s a big reason why Amari Cooper had his six-game streak of 100-plus yards snapped as he finished with nine receptions for 91 yards. Unofficially Cooper had 58 yards after the catch, and Alabama had 117 (or 6.5 yards per reception).

6. Most around the ball: Free safety Nick Perry was credited with the most tackles, 10, but linebacker Reggie Ragland had the most defensive “touches,” which is found by adding together tackles, assists, sacks, passes broken up (interceptions are included in that statistic), hurries, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.

Game leaders
Reggie Ragland 10.5
Nick Perry 10
Xzavier Dickson 9.5
Cyrus Jones 8
Jonathan Allen 7.5

7. Who was thrown at: Ole Miss challenged Cyrus Jones six times resulting in just two receptions for 21 yards and a pass-interference penalty. It went after freshman Tony Brown eight times with six completions for 65 yards and a touchdown. With the game on the line junior safety Landon Collins appeared to have some trouble with the bunch formations and was the closest defender on three receptions including the last two touchdowns.

8. Who played: Alabama only used two running backs and with Kenyan Drake (broken leg) and Tryen Jones (torn tendon) both out has just three available along with fullback Jalston Fowler. Freshman Cam Sims took Drake’s spot on kickoff coverage and you may have noticed walk-on Parker Barrineau on special teams too. Alabama could have really been in a pinch had another offensive lineman sustained an injury. With Grant Hill out (ill), the second-unit reserves were true freshmen Ross Pierschbacher and Josh Casher, who coaches still hope to redshirt. When Ole Miss had 300-pound Jeremy Liggins take snaps one of Alabama’s counter moves was to insert linebacker Dillon Lee.

9. Records chase I: For the season Cooper has 52 receptions for 746 yards and five touchdown catches. The Alabama records are 78 and 1,133 (Julio Jones in 2010) and 11 (Cooper in 2012). He’s on pace to finish the regular season with 125 catches, 1,790 yards and 12 TDs.

With 2,482 career receiving yards he needs 442 to break the Alabama record held by DJ Hall 2,923. At his season pace he’ll do so in the fourth quarter at Tennessee on Oct. 18.

Cooper moved into third in career receptions, passing Freddie Milions (152). He has 156 and need 25 to pass Julio Jones for second (179, 2008-10).

10. Records chase II: With his 123 rushing yards Yeldon moved into sixth on the Alabama all-time rushing list, passing Jonny Musso (2,741, 1969-71). He has 2,750 career yards, with Trent Richardson in fifth with 3,130. Yeldon needs 815 to break Shaun Alexander career record of 3,565.