He delivered precision passes. He transformed the routine into the sublime. He wowed the spectators in his midst.

On Saturday, in Alabama's 51-14 victory over Louisville at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Tua Tagovailoa debuted as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback and showed the world why he had assumed that role and ultimately prevailed in a competition with Jalen Hurts that unfolded over the last eight months.

Harnessing the verve and spectacular playmaking ability he used to lead Alabama to the comeback victory over Georgia in the national championship game last January, Tagovailoa spearheaded five scoring drives while contributing 253 yards of total offense and three touchdowns against the overmatched Cardinals.

In the process, he may have revolutionized Alabama -- converting the brawny, unrelenting Tide into a sleeker, more exciting football juggernaut.

"Tua made some good throws," head coach Nick Saban said. "I mean, really good throws. Very accurate throws. He put the ball right on guys when they had halfway decent coverage."

It was captivating stuff. As Tagovailoa reeled off one highlight after another, it was hard to pick which one was more amazing.

Was it the 11-yard touchdown pass he threw to Jerry Jeudy on Alabama's first drive, when Tagovailoa eluded several oncoming rushers before directing the ball to the right corner of the end zone?

Or was it the second one he tossed with only seconds remaining in the first half, when he dropped the ball into Jeudy's hands just before the sophomore receiver ran out of bounds?

Perhaps it was the 32-yard throw to tight end Irv Smith Jr. on a wheel route early in the third quarter. Then again, maybe it was the nifty nine-yard run that resulted in Alabama's second score of the game.

In totality, the big strikes and dazzling moments added up to a tour de force performance by the sophomore southpaw who has become the Tide's new talisman.

"That's just Tua," said center Ross Pierschbacher.

But only hours before kickoff it was unclear whether Tagovailoa would even start. Pierschbacher admitted he didn't know which quarterback would accept his first snap until the team staged its walkthrough at 4:25 p.m. Saturday. Jeudy said he wasn't absolutely certain Tagovailoa would lead the offense until the very first play. Saban was reluctant to reveal his decision, waiting until Thursday before practice to alert Tagovailoa and Hurts of his plan for both players. All the while, a frothing fan base speculated about Saban's choice.

Yet while Saban played coy with the public, he did offer clues throughout the preseason that indicated Tagovailoa would win the job.

Early last week he said he wanted a quarterback who would distribute the ball effectively and win the confidence of the players around him.

Before the game, the team's top receivers -- Jeudy, DeVonta Smith and Henry Ruggs III -- surrounded Tagovailoa as they gathered on the sideline.

Not long thereafter, Tagovailoa made it a point to get them involved in the offense. He targeted a different player on each of the first six passes he threw -- spraying the ball around to wideouts, running backs, and yes, even tight ends.

"That's very important...getting everybody involved," said Jeudy. "It mixes up the defense and they don't now who he is going to throw it to."

Louisville did seem confused by Tagovailoa, the magician.

As Tagovailoa carried Alabama up and down the field, he opened a new dimension to the offense and managed to make the Crimson Tide seem even more dominant than it has been the last three years when it has won two national championships and came within one second of claiming another.

It was a sight to behold and one everyone in these parts has been anticipating for months.

Even in the afterglow of victory, Pierschbacher seemed amazed by what he witnessed while peering out from the grillwork on his facemask.

Asked if this Alabama team is as versatile and explosive as it's ever been since he's been in Tuscaloosa, the offensive lineman responded, "I'd say so. Yeah...The upside is tremendous with our offense."

Look no further than Tagovailoa as the reason why.

Rainer Sabin is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @RainerSabin