T wo games into the season and you can begin to see a theme emerge from this year’s Crimson Tide. The Tide’s defense is 14th in the nation in scoring defense, fifth in the nation against the run and 65th in the nation against the pass.
The offense is a bit more mediocre. John Parker Wilson is ninth in the SEC in passing efficiency and Javier Arenas is second in the SEC in punt returns.
Here are the rest of the Tide’s stats thus far in 2008.
ALABAMA NCAA/SEC STATS RANKINGS
2008 NCAA TEAM STATS
Scoring Offense 27.0 (63rd)
Scoring Defense 8.0 (14th)
Rushing Offense 169.0 (69th)
Rushing Defense 43.0 (5th)
Passing Offense 126.5 (104th)
Passing Defense 210.0 (65th)
Pass Efficiency Offense 114.85 (80th)
Pass Efficiency Defense 97.92 (37th)
Total Offense 295.5 (93rd)
Total Defense 253.0 (26th)
Kickoff Returns 25.33 (26th)
Punt Returns 21.56 (11th)
Net Punting 32.89 (73rd)
Sacks 2.0 (t42nd)
Sacks Allowed 2.0 (t69th)
Tackles for Loss 6.5 (37th)
Turnover Margin +0.5 (42nd)
2008 SEC TEAM STATS
Scoring Offense 27.0 (9th)
Scoring Defense 8.0 (4th)
Rushing Offense 169.0 (8th)
Rushing Defense 43.0 (2nd)
Passing Offense 126.5 (11th)
Passing Defense 210.0 (8th)
Pass Efficiency Offense 114.85 (9th)
Pass Efficiency Defense 97.92 (6th)
Total Offense 295.5 (11th)
Total Defense 253.0 (6th)
Kickoff Returns 25.33 (4th)
Punt Returns 21.56 (2nd)
Net Punting 32.89 (7th)
Sacks 2.0 (t6th)
Sacks Allowed 2.0 (t9th)
Turnover Margin +0.5 (5th)
2008 NCAA INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing: Mark Ingram, 79.5 (57th)
Glen Coffee, 72.5 (t64th)
Pass Efficiency: John Parker Wilson, 114.82 (72nd)
Interceptions: Marquis Johnson, 0.5 (t36th)
Tackles for Loss: Cory Reamer, 1.5 (t44th)
All-Purpose Yards: Javier Arenas, 137.5 (49th)
Punt Returns: Javier Arenas, 24.29 (7th)
Kickoff Returns Javier Arenas, 26.25 (32nd)
Field Goals: Leigh Tiffin, 2.0 (t9th)
Punting: P.J. Fitzgerald, 39.22 (47th)
2008 SEC INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing: Mark Ingram, 79.5 (8th)
Glen Coffee, 72.5 (9th)
Passing: John Parker Wilson, 126.5 (9th)
Receptions: Nick Walker, 4.0 (t6th)
Field Goals: Leigh Tiffin, 2.0 (t1st)
Punt Returns: Javier Arenas, 24.3 (2nd)
Kickoff Returns: Javier Arenas, 26.2 (3rd)
All-Purpose Yards: Javier Arenas, 137.5 (5th)
Scoring (Kicking): Leigh Tiffin, 8.0 (t5th)
Punting: P.J. Fitzgerald, 39.2 (7th)
Tackles: Rolando McClain, 9.0 (t5th)
Sacks: Brandon Deaderick, 0.5 (t7th)
Tackles of Loss: Cory Reamer, 1.5 (t5th)
Fumbles Forced: Cory Reamer, 0.5 (t1st)
Passes Defended: Marquis Johnson, 1.5 (t7th)
Interceptions: Marquis Johnson, 0.5 (t8th)
And I thought our offense would be the strong point of this team. We’re in the lower tier of the SEC in offensive production. Looks like McElwain is going to have to pick it up a little. Of course he’s only coached 2 games.
Until all teams have played at least 3 or 4 SEC games, I don’t think stats really matter that much. I do think it’s noteworthy that Bama has played an allegedly “solid” team in Clemson and still has respectable defensive stats. I’m still blown away that Tulane put up far better stats on Bama than Clemson did.
The total yardage, passing, running, etc. stats have never impressed me. I guess they give a little bit of info early in the season in letting you know whether the first few final scores aren’t giving a complete picture of performance. But once you get into the season, the only stats I’ve ever cared about on either side of the ball are scoring offense and scoring defense. The only stat that matters at the end of the game is the one posted on the scoreboard.
Here kitty kitty. .. .
Until all teams have played at least 3 or 4 SEC games, I don’t think stats really matter that much.
Very true.
Yeah,
a 55 gallon drum of Croom-all, Auburn flavored….No additives…..No preservatives.