Through three games, the Alabama Crimson Tide are undoubtedly the best team in college football. Three consecutive dominating wins, capped off by the 62-7 dismantling of the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday, has Nick Saban's team poised to have one of the best seasons in college football history.
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Boasting a slew of All-Americans, another round of high-profile NFL talent and the best coach in college football history, the Tide are on the verge of doing something really special. Nick Saban's had really good teams before, but this team might be the best when it's all said and done.
It's not just a fluke either. This team is dominating at a level we haven't seen before, and The Tide have yet to reach their peak performance.
The best teams in college football history weren't doing the things that this Alabama team is — The Crimson Tide are averaging more points than the 2005 Texas Longhorns, allowing fewer points than the 2001 Miami Hurricanes and are the first team in SEC history to start the season with three-straight 50-plus point games.
As always, numbers never lie, and here are seven mind-blowing stats to back up the Tide's historic start.
1. They're Beating Opponents by 47.4 Points Per Game
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
Alabama has always had elite defensive units under Nick Saban. Despite losing most of its key starters from last year, the defense has retooled, and are picking up where they left off last year. So far, this defense completely shut down two offensive-first teams, Louisville and Ole Miss.
As a unit, Alabama is allowing 9.3 points per game, and no team has made a field goal against them yet.
On offense, the Tide are firing on all cylinders. Leading the nation and scoring 56.7 points per game is one thing, but Alabama is scoring with their first, second and third string players in the game. If they get a comfortable lead, don't think they're ever going to take their foot off the gas.
2. The Team is Third in the Nation in Passing Efficiency
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
This quarterback controversy is over, but it clearly hasn't fazed either Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts.
Tagovailoa is the starter, but he's been so good that he doesn't even need to play the entire game. Tua ranks 11th in the nation completing 72.0 percent of his passes, 14th in the nation with eight touchdown passes, and is 4th in the country averaging 17.9 yards per completion.
Jalen Hurts? He's not so bad either. The backup is 19-for-28 for 248 yards with four TD passes coming in to relieve Tua.
Together, the pair have a passer efficiency rating of 206.28, which is third best in the nation trailing only Boston College and West Virginia.
3. They Average 236.7 Rushing Yards Per Game
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
In typical Alabama fashion, their offensive line is dominating up front and running backs are running wild all over the field.
Six players are averaging more than 4.0 yards a pop, and they're led by Najee Harris' 203 rushing yards and Damien Harris' 7.4 yards per carry. Add Brian Robinson Jr. and Joshua Jacobs, plus the threat by Tagovailoa and Hurts? They can beat a defense in so many ways.
Sure, Alabama's passing game has resurrected to a level we've never seen, but this running game could easily lead the nation week after week if they needed to.
4. Leading the Nation Averaging 56.3 Yards Per Kick Return
Josh Jacobs took the kickoff 77 yards to the house, breaking three tackles and scoring Bama’s first kick return TD since 2015 ... pic.twitter.com/igp5NymaQ3
— Roll Tide #18™ 🐘 (@jerrysandersRTR) September 3, 2018
Running back Joshua Jacobs has only returned three kickoffs so far this season and one of them went for a touchdown.
The junior leads the nation in kick return average, and they also rank 24th in the nation averaging 15.9 yards per punt return courtesy of freshman wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Field position is a huge swing vote, especially late in games, and Alabama is winning that battle, too.
It's a scary thought that they haven't had many special teams opportunities yet, and THIS is what they've done with them.
5. Most Defensive Touchdowns (3) in the Country
Alabama’s Xavier McKinney with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown. Alabama 59, Ole Miss 7 with 5:04 left in 3rd quarter
Live updates at:https://t.co/aTXEyDsbYi pic.twitter.com/MHdmd1FYHl
— BamaOnLine (@BOL_On3) September 16, 2018
Tired of watching this offense score? Just let the defense take care of it.
The knock on Alabama entering 2018 was if they could get this defense back on track and get young guys the necessary experience and confidence to make a stretch run. Well, the seventh-best passing defense in the country seems to be handling themselves just fine.
Three pick-six touchdowns certainly helps the cause, and this secondary is answering the challenge set forth from the first game of the season.
6. Jerry Jeudy is Top-10 in the SEC in NINE Statistical Categories
https://twitter.com/ftbeard_17/status/1041124492020350976
The unsung hero of Alabama's start is sophomore wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who might be the best skill-player on the Crimson Tide offense.
Jeudy leads the SEC in receiving touchdowns (6), is second in the conference with 287 receiving yards, and is ninth in the nation in scoring per game.
What makes Tua Tagovailoa look really good? A playmaker on the outside with the ball in his hands...
7. Their Lowest Rated Stat? Net Punting Yards
It's official. The first to sign with #Bama on #NationalSigningDay is the No.3 nationally ranked punter Skyler Delong.
EVAL: https://t.co/5sg4UbqYks#KohlsKicking #NextWave #RollTide pic.twitter.com/BaLvkJmAJH
— Kohl's Kicking Camps (@KohlsKicking) December 20, 2017
The easiest job in the country has to be the punter for Alabama.
Skyler Delong is that man, and his nine punts on the year have averaged 35.89 net yards per punt, which ranks 90th in the country. When this is your biggest issue, you're going to have a GREAT night sleep week after week and win after win.
