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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It’s both difficult and somewhat unrealistic to try and draw definitive conclusions about a football team when it reaches the quarter mark of a regular season, especially in regards to pace.
Yes, the University of Alabama offense is off to a terrific start minus the turnovers and penalties against Florida last week, and the lack of tempo it’s occasionally experienced through the first month.
Growing pains are part of any season, especially when a new quarterback and offensive coordinator are involved. Nevertheless, what the Crimson Tide has done so far, without the running game really kicking into high gear yet, has been nothing short of remarkable.
If this was a NASCAR race and each car was like a different year of Alabama football, the Crimson Tide would already being be close to lapping the field.
For example, since 1970 Alabama’s best season in third-down conversions was 1973, when it was 74 of 143, 52 percent.
So far this season it’s 33 of 54, or 63 percent.
In time of possession Alabama is averaging 35 minutes and 3 seconds per game. Since 1977 only that year (37:15) and 1979 (42:42), when running the wishbone, has Alabama kept the ball more.
Granted, the Crimson Tide has only played four games including one against a Southeastern Conference opponent, but here are 18 other team records Alabama could make a serious run at this season. The first number is the standing record, the second figure is for what this team is on pace to have at the end of the regular season (unless otherwise noted):
- Plays: 962 (2007); Alabama is on pace for 936 in the regular season, 1,014 if it only has one postseason game.
- Yards: 6,237 (2012); 7,050.
- Average per play: 7.15 (2013); 7.5
- Average yards per game: 480.7 (1973); 587.5
- Offensive touchdowns: 68 (2012); 63, but 68.25 with one postseason game.
- Average yards per rush: 6.06 (1973); 5.5
- Pass completions: 263 (2007); 276
- Passing yards: 3,395 (2010); 4,029
- Passing yards per game: 270.8 (1969); 335.8
- Passing touchdowns: 31 (2012); 30 in the regular season, 32.5 with one postseason game.
- Yards per attempt: 13.4 (1973); 10.3
- Points: 542 (2012); 504, 546 with one postseason game.
- Points per game: 43.0 (1945); 42.0
- Touchdowns scored: 68 (2012); 63
- Rushing touchdowns: 43 (1973): 44
- Passing touchdowns: 31 (2012): 40
- Total first downs: 303 (2012): 348
- Most penalties: 121 (2002): 108
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
