Rushing yards per game: 259.3 (11th nationally, 2nd in SEC)
Passing yards per game: 219.2 (79th, t-7th)
Total yards per game: 478.6 (30th, 4th)
Points per game: 40.1 (15th, 1st)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 66.0 (1st, 1st)
Passing yards allowed per game: 191.9 (19th, 2nd)
Total yards allowed per game: 257.9 (2nd, 1st)
Points allowed per game: 13.2 (2nd, 1st)
Turnover margin: +3 (35th, t-5th)
1. The weekly update on Alabama's scoring pace: The Tide is now averaging 40.1 points per game after a season-low 10 yesterday and has scored 361 total points. The school record for points is 542 scored in 2014 and the school record for points per game is 43.0 in 1945. Alabama needs to score 182 more points this season to break the school record for total points, and has fallen behind the points per game average for the first time this season. But I wouldn't rule out the possibility of getting back on track for that record with Mississippi State and Chattanooga still left, as well as a possibility of facing Tennessee for the SEC East championship.
2. Time of possession is often a useless stat in college football as it is played today, but it was not worthless in yesterday's game. Alabama won the TOP battle in the second half 22:17 to 7:43, about a 3:1 ratio. Alabama's big fourth quarter drive that ended in a field goal ate up 9:51. "It couldn't have come at a better time," Nick Saban said. Alabama ran 15 plays on that drive; LSU ran 18 total plays in the second half. LSU's defense was great but eventually just wore down. The Tiger offense never had a chance late; they had the ball for 1:25 of the fourth quarter.
3. Leonard Fournette in three career games against Alabama: 57 carries for 145 yards (2.5 ypc) and one touchdown. That's 48.3 yards per game.
Leonard Fournette in his other 27 career games: 530 carries for 3547 yards (6.7 ypc) and 36 touchdowns. That's 131.4 yards per game.
4. LSU picked up 35 total yards on 18 plays on first down in the game. Of those 18 plays, 9 went for no gain, a loss, or a turnover. The Tigers had been averaging 6.9 yards per play on first down entering the game but averaged just 1.9 against Alabama, which explains why their offense never managed to sustain a drive. LSU had just one drive of more than six plays all night, and nine of their 12 drives failed to pick up a first down.
5. Jalen Hurts has a very good chance to rush for 1,000 yards this season. After rushing for 114 yards yesterday (he only passed for 107) he has 635 rushing yards this season. Assuming Alabama plays 14 games, he's on pace for 988 yards this year. He's also been rushing more in recent games, with 339 rushing yards (and 5 touchdowns) in his last three games. Last time Alabama had two 1,000-yard rushers in a season was 2012, when Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon both did it.
6. JK Scott was one of Alabama's most important players yesterday, especially in the first half as the offense couldn't get started. LSU had much better field position than Alabama in the first half but was held at bay because of Scott, who had four punts for 204 yards in the first half. For some reason he's not getting a lot of attention or credit, but he's averaging 48.12 yards per punt, which is third nationally.
Passing yards per game: 219.2 (79th, t-7th)
Total yards per game: 478.6 (30th, 4th)
Points per game: 40.1 (15th, 1st)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 66.0 (1st, 1st)
Passing yards allowed per game: 191.9 (19th, 2nd)
Total yards allowed per game: 257.9 (2nd, 1st)
Points allowed per game: 13.2 (2nd, 1st)
Turnover margin: +3 (35th, t-5th)
1. The weekly update on Alabama's scoring pace: The Tide is now averaging 40.1 points per game after a season-low 10 yesterday and has scored 361 total points. The school record for points is 542 scored in 2014 and the school record for points per game is 43.0 in 1945. Alabama needs to score 182 more points this season to break the school record for total points, and has fallen behind the points per game average for the first time this season. But I wouldn't rule out the possibility of getting back on track for that record with Mississippi State and Chattanooga still left, as well as a possibility of facing Tennessee for the SEC East championship.
2. Time of possession is often a useless stat in college football as it is played today, but it was not worthless in yesterday's game. Alabama won the TOP battle in the second half 22:17 to 7:43, about a 3:1 ratio. Alabama's big fourth quarter drive that ended in a field goal ate up 9:51. "It couldn't have come at a better time," Nick Saban said. Alabama ran 15 plays on that drive; LSU ran 18 total plays in the second half. LSU's defense was great but eventually just wore down. The Tiger offense never had a chance late; they had the ball for 1:25 of the fourth quarter.
3. Leonard Fournette in three career games against Alabama: 57 carries for 145 yards (2.5 ypc) and one touchdown. That's 48.3 yards per game.
Leonard Fournette in his other 27 career games: 530 carries for 3547 yards (6.7 ypc) and 36 touchdowns. That's 131.4 yards per game.
4. LSU picked up 35 total yards on 18 plays on first down in the game. Of those 18 plays, 9 went for no gain, a loss, or a turnover. The Tigers had been averaging 6.9 yards per play on first down entering the game but averaged just 1.9 against Alabama, which explains why their offense never managed to sustain a drive. LSU had just one drive of more than six plays all night, and nine of their 12 drives failed to pick up a first down.
5. Jalen Hurts has a very good chance to rush for 1,000 yards this season. After rushing for 114 yards yesterday (he only passed for 107) he has 635 rushing yards this season. Assuming Alabama plays 14 games, he's on pace for 988 yards this year. He's also been rushing more in recent games, with 339 rushing yards (and 5 touchdowns) in his last three games. Last time Alabama had two 1,000-yard rushers in a season was 2012, when Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon both did it.
6. JK Scott was one of Alabama's most important players yesterday, especially in the first half as the offense couldn't get started. LSU had much better field position than Alabama in the first half but was held at bay because of Scott, who had four punts for 204 yards in the first half. For some reason he's not getting a lot of attention or credit, but he's averaging 48.12 yards per punt, which is third nationally.
