Alabama Football: Hurts, Tua more ThunderCats than Wildcats

Alabama football may just seem like they are in a ‘wildcat’ offense when Jalen Hurts or Tua Tagovailoa are the QB, but they look like superheroes at times.

ICYMI: Disrespect recoils on the Vol offender

Let’s make this clear: Alabama football is not in a perpetual state of ‘wildcat’ offense, when the ball is snapped directly to a running back or wide receiver. However, based on this season, one cannot argue with the comparison.

Just look at what backup quarterback Tua Tagovailoa did last night to the Tennessee Volunteers:

That head fake was just…so rude, Tua. #RollTide pic.twitter.com/jdIuxkEVox

— Stephen Nelson (@Stephen__Nelson) October 21, 2017

That Vols safety was so baffled by Tua Time, he must have thought the Alabama QB was really a mirage that disappeared but then reappeared in the end zone.

The same could be said for starting QB Jalen Hurts, as well. The two quarterbacks are making the rest of college football brood with jealousy over the fact that Alabama has two very talented QBs who can both throw and run the ball effectively.

In the air, Hurts has completed 95 of 151 passes (62.9%) for 1 223 yards, 8.10 yards per attempt, and nine touchdowns to one interception. Tagovailoa has completed 28 of 42 passes (66.7%) for 385 yards, 9.17 yards per attempt, and five touchdowns to one interception.

What is truly amazing, however, is the rushing yards for both men. Hurts has 84 carries for 572 yards, putting him second only to Damien Harris (81 carries, 697 yards) on the team. Tua only has 12 carries, being known more for his arm than his legs, but he has earned an amazing 95 yards with his feet, including yesterday’s touchdown.

That last run for the 23-yard TD helped Tagovailoa average 7.9 yards a carry to Hurts’ 6.8. Not that Hurts minds much; the two young men celebrate every touchdown together, like they are a superhero team jumping into each other and onto the bad guys for a victory dance.

Wildcat? It’s more like ThunderCats – Ho!

Anyone blanking on the ’80s cartoon reference (or who, unfortunately, were not born yet to see it in all of its glory) should think of Alabama’s QBs as those frisky felines, ready to do battle against the evil scourges of the Southeastern Conference. Obviously, Hurts is Lion-O. He is the undisputed leader of the Crimson Tide’s ferocious offense. However, Tagovailoa is harder to place. Is he Panthro? Tygra?

Next: Two more Crimson Tide teams ranked No. 1

Who knows? One thing is certain: neither Hurts or Tagovailoa is Snarf!

** Check out our Twitter account @Bama_Hammer and tell us which ThunderCat Tagovailoa is. While you’re at it, who in the SEC would be Mumm-Ra? Best answers will be retweeted.