Uh, college football. You might have a problem.

The Alabama Crimson Tide, those defense-first defending national champions, are now an offensive juggernaut. Seriously, look at some of the numbers they’ve produced thus far under the direction of Tua Tagovailoa and first-year offensive coordinator Mike Locksley. Alabama is averaging 54 points per game (10th nationally) and 554 yards per game (19th nationally) through two games. The Crimson Tide have scored 15 touchdowns (eighth nationally) and are averaging 309 passing yards per game (27th nationally).

That final category is the most important to note, mostly because it’s so unusual for the program. Since Alabama’s first national title under Nick Saban in 2009, it's ranked among the top 30 in passing yards per game only once. Last year, Alabama finished 91st nationally in passing offense and still won a title.

But things are different in 2018, largely because of the emergence of Tagovailoa and Locksley’s spread influences.

When Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke looked at the tape in preparation for Alabama this week, he saw much more 11 personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE) – as opposed to 12 (2 WRs, 2 TEs) – than the Tide have run in the past. Then there’s the fact Alabama is utilizing the run-pass option to devastating results. Given Tagovailoa’s diverse passing skill set and his mobility – not to mention a gifted o-line and one of the nation’s best running back rooms – the Tide are now more of a handful than ever.

“It’s just they can stretch you really vertical with that RPO game, which adds a dimension,” Luke said on this week’s SEC Teleconference. “I think you see that in the points they’re scoring and how explosive they are. … It definitely puts a lot of pressure on you because you know you have to stop the run. With that added dimension it makes it very, very tough.”

The combination of the devastating run game and dangerous vertical passing attack has Alabama on pace to smash program offensive records early in 2018, set for 14 games because Alabama's played 14 games or more since the dawn of the Playoff era.

Team Records 2018 Projections* Yards: 6,829 (2016)

Yards Per Play: 7.15 (2013)

Yards Per Game: 484.5 (2014)

Touchdowns 68 (2012)

Pass Attempts: 472 (2007)

Completions 301: (2015)

Passing Yards: 3,890 (2014)

Pass Yards Per Game: 277.9 (2014)

Passing TDs: 32 (2014)

Points Scored: 582 (2016) Yards: 7,826

Yards Per Play: 7.93

Yards Per Game: 559

Touchdowns: 105

Pass Attempts: 385

Completions: 259

Passing Yards: 4,326

Pass Yards Per Game: 309

Passing TDs: 56

Points Scored: 756 *Projections are for 14 games

Alabama isn’t necessarily throwing the ball more. It’s made only 10 more attempts through 2018 compared to last season. But the Tide are launching the ball downfield with increased frequency. According to AL.com, Alabama’s attempts of 10-plus yards has jumped from 11 to 21. That’s a huge increase, which can largely be attributed to Tagovailoa’s presence.

Tagovailoa is averaging a staggering 13 yards an attempt, while carrying the highest QBR rating in the country.

Despite splitting reps with Jalen Hurts, Tagovailoa is also on pace to break at least one Alabama passing record.

Individual Passing Records Tua Tagovailoa Projections* Completions: 263 (Jake Coker 2015)

Yards: 3,487 (Blake Sims, 2014)

TD Passes: 30 (AJ McCarron, 2012) Completions: 175

Yards: 3,185

TD Passes: 42



“When it does break down he’s able to extend the play, keep his eyes downfield and keep his composure,” Luke said. “For a young quarterback, I think that’s pretty special.”

And yes, it’s early. Really early. But it’s not as if Alabama faced meek Week 1 in 2 opponents. Arkansas State received a preseason AP Top 25 vote, and Louisville’s won eight-plus games for six straight seasons. The offensive numbers will certainly deflate heading into SEC play. But there hasn’t been a significant drop-off historically. Last season Alabama averaged 40.5 points per game in the regular season non-conference portion of the schedule versus 38.4 in the SEC. In 2016 there was a starker contrast (56 vs. 40). But 40 points is still scoring by the bucket full.

It’s unlikely all of these Alabama records fall in 2018. But it’s clear what difference Tagovailoa and an altered offensive scheme make for the Tide. Alabama always had an elite offensive line and set of backs. With a dangerous pass-first quarterback and an all-five-star starting group of receivers, there is no ceiling for this Tide attack if it remains aggressive.

Alabama’s offense is entering a new age. And it’s a scary one for the rest of the nation.