I do not fully understand what appears to be a (hopefully short-lived) shift in Alabama's offensive philosophy, from a clock-eating, will-to-live-sapping, power running attack, to a pass-first approach. Here is the way the last 2 games break down.
vs. LSU
52 = total offensive plays (!)
27 = passing plays (official)
25 = rushing plays (official)
30 = passing plays (actual - designed pass plays)*
22 = rushing plays (actual - excludes "rushing" sacks and QB scrambling)*
6.1 = yds per pass attempt
7.2 = yds per RB rush
4.5% - turnover rate on designed rushing plays
0.0% - turnover rate on designed passing plays
*Numbers may not be exact.
vs. aTm
65 = total offensive plays
34 = passing plays (official)
31 = rushing plays (official)
41 = passing plays (actual - designed pass plays)*
26 = rushing plays (actual - excludes "rushing" sacks and QB scrambling)*
9.1 = yds per pass attempt
4.7 = yds per RB rush
5.8 = yds per E. Lacy rush
3.8% - turnover rate on designed rushing plays
4.9% - turnover rate on designed passing plays
*Numbers may not be exact.
Offensive Plays & Time-of-Possession:
Alabama 65 and 27:33 vs. 77 and 32:27 for aTm
Alabama 52 plays and 20:45 vs. 85 plays and 39:15 for LSU
So the question is: Why? Is it lack of depth at the RB position? T.J. Yeldon, as exciting as he is to watch, has developed a minor (but disturbing) case of the dropsies. Eddie Lacy has been plagued with nagging injuries all season, and yet has managed to average 13.6 carries per game (vs. 11.4 for T.J. Yeldon). This is in line with other starting RBs in the SEC. But with the injuries to Dee Hart and (more critically) Jalston Fowler, are the coaching staff trying to save him and/or conceal the fact that he is playing hurt?
Looking for ideas here, because this just does not add up. What am I missing?
P.S. At least all the "A.J. for Heisman" nonsense is over.
vs. LSU
52 = total offensive plays (!)
27 = passing plays (official)
25 = rushing plays (official)
30 = passing plays (actual - designed pass plays)*
22 = rushing plays (actual - excludes "rushing" sacks and QB scrambling)*
6.1 = yds per pass attempt
7.2 = yds per RB rush
4.5% - turnover rate on designed rushing plays
0.0% - turnover rate on designed passing plays
*Numbers may not be exact.
vs. aTm
65 = total offensive plays
34 = passing plays (official)
31 = rushing plays (official)
41 = passing plays (actual - designed pass plays)*
26 = rushing plays (actual - excludes "rushing" sacks and QB scrambling)*
9.1 = yds per pass attempt
4.7 = yds per RB rush
5.8 = yds per E. Lacy rush
3.8% - turnover rate on designed rushing plays
4.9% - turnover rate on designed passing plays
*Numbers may not be exact.
Offensive Plays & Time-of-Possession:
Alabama 65 and 27:33 vs. 77 and 32:27 for aTm
Alabama 52 plays and 20:45 vs. 85 plays and 39:15 for LSU
So the question is: Why? Is it lack of depth at the RB position? T.J. Yeldon, as exciting as he is to watch, has developed a minor (but disturbing) case of the dropsies. Eddie Lacy has been plagued with nagging injuries all season, and yet has managed to average 13.6 carries per game (vs. 11.4 for T.J. Yeldon). This is in line with other starting RBs in the SEC. But with the injuries to Dee Hart and (more critically) Jalston Fowler, are the coaching staff trying to save him and/or conceal the fact that he is playing hurt?
Looking for ideas here, because this just does not add up. What am I missing?
P.S. At least all the "A.J. for Heisman" nonsense is over.