Statistics can be a wonderful thing. They often strip off the outer layer of a football team and reveal how strong or how weak that team (or that coach) really is. I'm breaking no ground in saying the top-ranked Alabama football team is really good.
There are many angles from Saturday's 21-17 win at LSU to write about. AJ McCarron's heart, the offensive line's resolve, the player's determination to handle adversity (I'm sure Nick Saban will bring that up on Monday). But when the crowd finally cleared at Death Valley, the place where Alabama's dreams came to live, it's a perusal of the game notes (provided by UA) that tells you what Saban has done since being in Tuscaloosa. Take a look:
The Crimson Tide is 58-3 under Nick Saban when leading at the half.
Alabama is 12-4 against Top 10 teams the last four years.
Take out 2007 and Nick Saban is 14-3 in the month of November as Bama's coach.
Alabama has outscored opponents 222-34 in the first half this season.
AJ McCarron has now thrown 289 passes without an interception.
Jeremy Shelley has not missed a field goal or extra point this season (9 FG's, 45 PAT's).
It has been 12 and a half games since an Alabama quarterback threw an interception.
Alabama's defense has allowed 3 points or less at halftime five times this season.
The Tide has scored in 151 consecutive games, the longest streak in UA history.
Alabama boasts of the 2nd-ranked defense in America (FSU is #1).
Of course I can go on. Fun facts like these just keep on coming, and the more you look them over, the more you think to yourself, "Maybe Steve Spurrier wasn't off his rocker!" (Spurrier suggested the Crimson Tide could beat an NFL team if the ball bounced in the right directions).
Of course articles or blogs like these are exactly what Nick Saban hates. You read facts like these, expectations rise, and when a loss comes, it's the end of the world. After surviving in Baton Rouge, I don't think a loss will come this season. "Johnny Football" is a Doug Flutie look-alike who will be no match for the Bama defense this weekend. Yes, Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M is ranked 2nd in nation in total offense, the Aggies team is #5 in that category, but has A&M faced a defense like Bama? After Texas A&M, the Crimson Tide should have few problems in their two final games of the regular season.
And the post season? The Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC title game? The Oregon Ducks in the BCS title game? While anything can happen (just ask Saban, he will be glad to remind you), from where I sit, I don't see this team losing anytime soon. If you disagree, just read the statistics.
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