Watch closely and there’s something different about Tua Tagovailoa on the field this season.

Now a second-year starter, the junior just looks calm. The operation is smooth and efficiency high after four games among the nation’s top passers. It’s a result of several factors converging as SEC play ramps up Saturday with Ole Miss.

“I think this year he’s a lot more confident,” Nick Saban said. “I think he does a better job and has a better understanding of what the defense is trying to do. I think that just elevates his ability to make good choices and decisions.”

Through four games, Tagovailoa’s completing 77 percent of his passes -- up from 72.5 percent at this time last fall. He’s also throwing it more with 112 attempts compared to 80 in four games to begin 2018. Jalen Hurts isn’t here this time to share some of the reps in an offense that is 100 percent Tagovailoa’s.

In terms of the efficiency, the Alabama passer is No. 3 in the statistical measure with a 225.27 rating. That’s only barely behind LSU’s Joe Burrow (225.63) with Hurts’ 250.20 leading the way. Tagovailoa’s 17 touchdowns are tied for second while he’s No. 3 in yards per attempt (11.6) and No. 4 in completion percentage.

It all comes with experience.

“I think (confidence) is knowing what to do, understanding what to do and playing at a fast pace, high-level kind of thing,” Tagovailoa said. “I mean, it’s just going out there and being relaxed, doing what I do. That’s what confidence is.”

His scoring pace helps that too. Touchdowns were thrown on five of his 21 attempts Saturday against Southern Miss. That’s nearly 1 in 4 or 23.8 percent of the total. Zoom out to his career totals and Tagovailoa has thrown a touchdown every 7.7 attempts or 13.1 percent of his total 544 throws.

In terms of drives, 22 of the 35 Tagovailoa quarterbacked this season ended in touchdowns. That’s 63 percent.

Like last year, most of the work is being done early in games. Tagovailoa has appeared in just one fourth quarter, throwing four passes. In the first three quarters, his numbers improve as the games progress. Completion percentages go from 72.5 in the first quarter to 76.9 in the second and 82.8 percent in the third.

On third downs, he’s completing 70.6 percent of his 17 throws with a perfect 4-for-4 mark when there’s more than 10 yards to gain.

That comes with the caveat of competition. Of the first four opponents, Duke has the only top-100 passing defense at No. 65. He’s torched New Mexico State (No. 124), South Carolina (116) and Southern Miss (118). Ole Miss enters Saturday at No. 114 allowing 288.5 passing yards per game.

Perhaps the biggest stat for Tagovailoa is the absence of interceptions. He has yet to give one away in the 112 passes thrown after losing four in the final three games of last season.

“It’s really just looking at a guy -- if he’s not open, he’s not open,” Tagovailoa said. “Not trying to force something open. Just going through my progressions at this time.”

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.