What Do We Know About Alabama's Offense? Both A Lot and Very Little: All Things CW - Sports Illustrated

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The All Things CW notes column by Christopher Walsh regularly appears with the latest on the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Here's the kind of statistic that will make you wonder a little bit about numbers and how you perceive Alabama football:

Last season, Alabama averaged more rushing yards per game than any year since 2018, which includes the two times Najee Harris topped 1,000 rushing yards.

Surprising, right? Especially when the Crimson Tide didn't have that interior smash-up game that it usually enjoys as its personnel was geared for more of an outside-the-tackles attack.

The key players in that, of course, were both transfers filling a big-time needs for the Crimson Tide, Jahmyr Gibbs at running back and Tyler Steen at left tackle. Alabama had major injuries with the former position, and didn't have a player develop as hoped at the latter.

Both players had good seasons and improved their draft stock. But Gibbs won't be an every-down back in the NFL, and Steen won't be a left tackle.

When Alabama's running game is reaching its potential it usually has someone up for the Doak Walker Award and Outland Trophy, which is a ridiculously high standard but also reality under Nick Saban.

Yes, the offense has changed a lot over the years, becoming more up-tempo and passer friendly to meet the demands of the game. But the power game has generally remained a point of emphasis even though Alabama got a way from it a little with Bryce Young taking snaps.

Alabama Offensive Stats By Year

Year Total Scoring Rushing Pass Effic., National ranking in ()

2007 373.8 (75) 27.1 (64) 149.2 (60) 115.9 (86)
2008 355.79 (63) 30.1 (35) 184.6 (30) 124.1 (65)
2009 403.0 (42) 32.1(22) 215.1 (12) 138.5 (24)
2010 444.1 (22) 35.7 (18) 182.9 (29) 167.8 (5)
2011 429.6 (31) 43.9 (20) 214.5 (16) 142.5 (35)
2012 445.5 (31) 38.7 (12) 227.5 (16) 174.3 (1)
2013 454.1 (33) 38.2 (17) 205.6 (25) 164.5 (7)
2014 484.5 (17) 36.9 (15) 206.6 (35) 155.7 (10)
2015 427.1 (45) 35.1 (30) 199.9 (32) 143.5 (34)
2016 455.3 (23) 38.8 (16) 245.0 (12) 143.3 (34)
2017 444.1 (29) 37.1 (15) 250.6 (13) 156.0 (10)
2018 522.0 (6) 45.6 (3) 198.4 (42) 197.3 (1)
2019 510.8 (6) 47.2 (2) 168.5 (56) 199.6 (1)
2020 561.3 (5) 48.5 (2) 168.3 (39) 211.8 (1)
2021 488.2 (7) 39.9 (6) 150.0 (75) 165.5 (7)
2022 477.1 (11) 41.1 (4) 195.5 (30) 156.3 (13)

So in that respect, we already know a lot about the Alabama offense in 2023 despite having a new offensive coordinator in Tommy Rees. He'll be calling the plays, yet running the Saban system that has been developing and evolving, especially over the last 10 years.

It's the meshing the system with the talent to try and maximize the offense's potential that no one knows too much about yet.

There's no set quarterback, and history tells us that the competition between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson may not be settled when Alabama opens the season Sept. 2 against Middle Tennessee.

Who will be the running back Alabama relies on the most? On paper, Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams are a formidable 1-2 punch, but Alabama also has Jam Miller and Justice Haynes in the mix, with Richard Young due to arrive over the summer.

The same question hold true fro the receivers as well. Jermaine Burton and Ja'Corey Brooks both finished with roughly 670 receiving yards last season, but Alabama has a lot of options with the position group.

How will the tight ends fit in?

There are just too many variables at this point of the spring, especially when factoring in the offensive line.

Sure, there's a lot of "play the best guy" at work, but if Alabama has a stronger power game it can lead to other things in the offense, like more play-action plays. Having the left tackle set can also help make the quarterback more comfortable, and develop chemistry with a go-to receiver.

You get the idea.

There are two key words surrounding the Crimson Tide this spring, which has a talented roster overall despite replacing a lot established leaders: Teaching and competition.

The team's potential is strong, like usual, but this group has only begun to put the pieces together.