Heisman runner-up, sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa enjoyed a magical season with 3,966 yards, 43 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Sorry, Broadway Joe, The Snake, Bart Starr, AJ, and Jalen. Tua is the best quarterback ever to don a Crimson uniform.
In the final three games, Tua threw for 777 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions. Numbers do not tell a complete story, but Tua was not fully Tua in two of the last three games.
- Against Georgia, he was injured early in the game and appeared out of sorts. After losing in the prior national championship game, the Bulldogs thoroughly prepared for him. The result: 17-34, 246 yards 1 TD, two interceptions
- After losing the Heisman, Tua proved in the Oklahoma showdown he was the best quarterback in the nation. The result: 25-28, 328 yards, 4 TDs
- Against Clemson, Tua threw a pick-six on the first series. He never found his groove against the talented Clemson defense. The result: 22-36, 295 yards, 2 TDs, two interceptions
Three touchdowns and four picks in two prime time championship games, Tua did not play like the franchise quarterback Alabama football needed. As polished Tagovailoa seemed to make colossal, entertaining plays all season, home-runs are not always the best choice. On another day, working the short throw to a safety valve receiver would do wonders for the talented junior.
Both picks in the championship game were terrible. Nevertheless, the final interception was as devastating as a WWE superstar Randy Orton inverted headlock backbreaker, considering he forced the ball for a big play when one was not needed.