On almost every pass play there was a running back open in the flat or a shallow route by a WR uncovered.
Sometimes when we discuss the idea of controlling time of possession, people automatically think running game.
That doesn't have to be it though. One thing that Daboll stripped from the playbook, that never sat right with me, was removing a lot of easy, short passes that allowed Alabama to effectively move the ball and control time of possession. Lockley never really put all of those back and I think Alabama was worse for it.
It's nice to take downfield shots and all, but sometimes you have to take the low hanging fruit. As a true freshman, Hurts had a 62.8 completion percentage and 2,780 yards passing. Tua as a true freshman had a 63.6 completion percentage. We all know how more developed Tua was as a passer, so how could it be so close? Because they had Hurts throwing a lot of high percentage passes, taking a lot of low hanging fruit.
Now, I get it. You want the ability to have a downfield passing game, but here's the thing. If you set up a lot of second and shorts, by running effectively on first down, or short passes on first down, you have plenty of great chances to take shots downfield to. It's win/win. You don't get double the points by scoring on three plays though, it doesn't count extra, the goal is to move the ball down the field, and short, high percentage passes are a good way to do that.
So, while I hope Alabama establishes a smashmouth running game, this is now kind of the opposite of the Hurts situation. I hope Alabama makes Tua throw more short passes.