Alabama Football: Offensive balance is key for Crimson Tide

Alabama football may be operating a more balanced offense than it has had in a long time.

The Crimson Tide has turned in seven first-round caliber wide receivers in the past five seasons, a nearly unprecedented run of NFL talent at the position. Over the same period of time, it has put multiple running backs into the NFL, headlined by first-round picks Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs.

The 2022 Alabama offense may not possess a single first-round pick at these skill positions. Regardless, the unit has the potential to be just as proficient as past Bama offenses, even after what many considered to be a slow start.

Alabama Football: A new approach

As it stands, Alabama ranks fifth in the nation averaging 48.3 points per game. The Tide also ranks tenth in rushing yards per game (235.0), first in rushing yards per carry (7.3), and sixth in total offense (517.5). Although most of this production has come against inferior competition, these are impressive numbers nonetheless.

Interestingly enough, this Alabama offense does not feature any standout players at the skill positions. While the unit is highly efficient and explosive on paper, it is not on track to produce a single 1,000-yard rusher or receiver…and it’s not even close.

Leading rusher Jase McClellan is on pace to finish the regular season with 735 yards, and leading receiver Traeshon Holden is on track to finish the year with just 642 yards. All-purpose threat Jahmyr Gibbs, who is second on the team in both rushing and receiving yards, is trending towards barely breaking the 1,000-yard barrier in both categories combined.

The last team to finish in the top-five nationally in scoring offense without producing a 1,000-yard rusher or receiver was TCU in 2009. The Horned Frogs offense featured five players who had between 512 and 754 yards rushing, and four players who had between 410 and 532 yards receiving. That team averaged just 38.3 points per game, 10 points less than what Alabama is currently averaging.

Alabama Football: Balanced attack paying dividends

How is Alabama putting up these gaudy numbers with such an apparent absence of high-end individual production? The answer is balance. Through four games, the Tide don’t have a single player with more than 29 carries, nor a player with more than 17 receptions.

Instead, the offense has distributed the ball to several different playmakers, with signal-caller Bryce Young orchestrating an unpredictable and balanced attack. The unit features ten individuals who have recorded at least 100 yards rushing or 100 yards receiving for the season (including Gibbs who has eclipsed the mark in both categories).

If Alabama Football continues these offensive trends while improving week to week, it could become a very difficult team to defend in SEC play and into the postseason. It will not have star players on whom it relies disproportionately. Opposing defenses will have to play straight up, instead of keying on a particular back or receiver.

In addition to the multitude of pass-catchers it currently has, Bama expects to welcome back talented receivers Tyler Harrell, Jojo Earle, and Aaron Anderson in the near future.

With the introduction of three more speedy weapons, this balanced offense may get even more potent.