How the 2014 Crimson Tide Stacks up in the Alabama Dynasty
Nov 8, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Rashaan Evans (32) celebrates after an overtime win against the LSU Tigers in a game at Tiger Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 Alabama Crimson Tide seem like somewhat of a mystery. Are they as good as Alabama teams of the past? Are they elite or just very good?
What immediately jumps out at you this year is their dominance at home, and struggles on the road. They beat Florida 42-21 in Tuscaloosa, then Texas A&M 59-0. On the road they lost to Ole Miss, beat Arkansas by one point, Tennessee by 14 and narrowly escaped LSU with a last second game-tying FG leading to an overtime win. Fortunately for the Tide, their last two SEC games are at home.
How does this team stack up to the great Alabama teams we have seen in recent years? Since 2008, they have won at least 10 games every year. Three SEC West titles, two SEC titles and three national championships.
Defense
| Year | YPG | PPG | Turnovers PG | Red Zone | 3rd down | TFL PG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 264 | 14.3 | 1.8 | 81% | 28% | 5.63 |
| 2009 | 245 | 11.7 | 2.2 | 67% | 30% | 6.82 |
| 2010 | 286 | 13.5 | 2 | 65% | 34% | 5.77 |
| 2011 | 184 | 8.2 | 1.6 | 59% | 24% | 7.39 |
| 2012 | 250 | 10.9 | 2.1 | 66% | 32% | 6.14 |
| 2013 | 286 | 13.9 | 1.5 | 68% | 35% | 5.31 |
| 2014 | 275 | 13.9 | 1.3 | 85% | 36% | 6.67 |
As you can see, there is not much difference between this Alabama defense than in years past. They are once against first in the SEC in total defense as they have been every season since 2008. They are 2nd in scoring defense to Ole Miss, who has a chance to dethrone them for the first time since 2008. And Mississippi State has a chance to dethrone them in red zone defense for the first time since 2008. If there might be one area where they aren’t as good this year, it’s red zone and 3rd downs – an area MSU’s defense has excelled – but Bama is still really stout, they just have impossibly high standards.
Offense
| Year | YPG | PPG | Turnovers PG | Red Zone | 3rd down | TFL allowed PG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 356 | 30.1 | 1.4 | 85% | 42% | 4.1 |
| 2009 | 403 | 32.1 | 0.9 | 86% | 39% | 4.7 |
| 2010 | 444 | 35.7 | 1.2 | 84% | 44% | 5.2 |
| 2011 | 430 | 34.8 | 0.9 | 88% | 46% | 5.5 |
| 2012 | 446 | 38.7 | 1.1 | 90% | 48% | 4.5 |
| 2013 | 454 | 38.2 | 1.3 | 80% | 48% | 4.3 |
| 2014 | 487 | 34.7 | 1.6 | 84% | 53% | 4.6 |
Some stats are slightly up, some are slightly down…but it’s all relatively similar. The Crimson Tide offense generally stays in the top half of the SEC statically. Not as jaw-dropping as the defense, but very solid nonetheless. Under Lane Kiffin they’ve increased their total offense while decreasing scoring defense. The turnovers are up a little bit, but the 3rd down conversion rate is much better.
Since this “dynasty” began in 2008, Alabama is 80-10. After their loss to Ole Miss, maybe proclaimed the dynasty to be over. Yet here they are, 8-1 – the exact same winning percentage they’ve had the previous six seasons. Now this week hosting a defacto SEC West title game against Mississippi State. Alabama is still the team to beat. The Bulldogs already toppled the defending SEC champs, now it’s time to challenge the dynasty.