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Alabama Football: Will 2017 Be ‘Run-Daboll’ Or ‘Air-Daboll’ Or Something Else?

By Ronald Evans

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players cheer against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players cheer against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /

Rushing Specific Stats – 2016 Compared to 2015

The 2016 increase in Rushing Total Yards, Yards Per Game and Average Yards-Per-Carry is significant. What is even more amazing is the big increases were accomplished without an increase in rushing plays. The number of 2016 rushing plays was almost identical to 2015.

An increase of more than a Yard-Per-Carry in 2016 shows the running game was more productive than 2015. Even without Heisman-winning, Derrick Henry, these numbers suggest fans demanding “Run the Damn Ball, Lane” were correct.

Rushing Offense 2016 2015
Yards Gained 4044 3351
Yards Lost 369 352
Attempts 639 642
Average Per Attempt 5.8 4.7
Avg. Per Game 245 199.9
Touchdowns 33 33
Net Rushing 3675 2999

Rushing Specific Stats – 2016 Compared to National Championship Offenses in 2011, 2012 and 2015

Two numbers stand out in the 2016 comparison to the Alabama football national championship seasons.The yards lost due to tackles for a loss and sacks was much higher in 2016. Fans can remember plays when Jalen Hurts failed to throw the ball away before giving up a sack. By comparison, A.J. McCarron learned the Saban lesson of minimizing negative plays.

The other big difference in 2016 was the number of rushing attempts, 639 in 2016, compared to the national championship seasons average of 557 rushing attempts.

The 2016 offense was more dependent on rushing but more productive with an average of 5.8 yards-per-carry compared to 5.2 yards-per-carry. These stats favor the opinion that more running was warranted in 2016.

Rushing Offense 2016 2011, 2012, 2015
Yards Gained 4044 3136.7
Yards Lost 369 281.7
Attempts 639 556.7
Average Per Attempt 5.8 5.2
Avg. Per Game 245 204.0
Touchdowns 33 32.0
Net Rushing 3675 2855.0
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