🏈 Bama offense more productive under Brian Daboll than Lane Kiffin, but…

[RTB X Bot]

By Duane Rankin
Posted on December 24, 2017

Alabama has scored at least four more touchdowns in Brian Daboll’s first season as offensive coordinator than it did with Lane Kiffin calling the plays in the 2016 and 2015 seasons – in fewer games.



Amari Cooper was that much of a difference maker in 2014, huh?

Alabama had just two 600-yard games in Kiffin’s three seasons. The Tide reached that number three times this season with Daboll, but the offense wasn’t nearly as productive in its last three SEC games.

The Tide averaged 352 yards and went a total of 11-of-35 on third down in those games. Alabama managed just 314 yards and was 3-of-11 on third in its 26-14 loss at Auburn.

Daboll’s offense has been productive, Jalen Hurts has protected the ball better, and Nick Saban probably has a better working relationship with Daboll, but Kiffin helped bring Alabama’s offense up-to-date.

Kiffin wasn’t the ideal coach six days a week, Saban occasionally chewed out his back pocket from the sidelines on national television, but on Saturdays, Kiffin, more times than not, was money.

Kififn was forced to work with five different starting quarterbacks, and despite that, played a key role in Alabama reaching the College Football Playoff three straight years and winning a national title. As bad as his Tide run ended, I still believe he would’ve done a better job than one-game-and-done Steve Sarkisian in Tampa.

Daboll came from New England and people were looking for him to bring a pro-style offense to Alabama and help Hurts improve as a passer.

Neither really took shape.

Alabama had some two-back sets, but still looked like a college offense, heavily relying on the quarterback running. Hurts completed 60.5 percent of his passes, threw 15 touchdowns to only one interception, but primarily focused on one receiver.

When Auburn took Calvin Ridley out of the game, Hurts looked like the true freshman who struggled against Clemson in the 2017 playoff title game the Tide lost 35-31.

In the meantime, Kiffin led Florida Atlantic to a Conference USA title, a 50-3 bowl throttling of Akron, and has been trolling Saban on Twitter.

This dude is too much fun, especially when he’s winning.

Daboll can defuse some of the latter chatter by rejuvenating Alabama’s offense in January. The Tide’s passing game needs to show improvement against Clemson in the playoff semifinals Jan. 1 to stop some fans from wondering what Hurts would have look like in a second season under Kiffin.

 

[TheChief]

Brian Daboll should send Ole Siss and Vandy a wrapped gift. They gave him one already.

 

[BamaMD]

No need in crying over spilled milk, but I wish Kiffin was still running our offense. No doubt we would have won the Natty last year. Daboll's offense is anemic, but for some strange reason it looks completely different when Tua is at the helm. Hmmmmmmm.........

 

[Max]

but for some strange reason it looks completely different when Tua is at the helm. Hmmmmmmm.........

Perhaps it has to do with the teams Bama is playing when Tua has been in the game? Or, perhaps it has to do with Bama having a game totally in their control?

With the exception of the A&M game the games he's seen action in ended with Bama winning by 30+. The close games? We didn't see Tua at all.

 

[18Champs]

 

[planomateo]

No need in crying over spilled milk, but I wish Kiffin was still running our offense. No doubt we would have won the Natty last year. Daboll's offense is anemic, but for some strange reason it looks completely different when Tua is at the helm. Hmmmmmmm.........

He'd beat them like he beat Oklahoma? I'd argue it had more to do with who we were missing in the secondary that who was calling the plays.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

, but for some strange reason it looks completely different when Tua is at the helm. Hmmmmmmm.........

 

[jdpas29]

lol

 

[kbama15]

Maybe Daboll is handcuffed, until Tua gets to play. Got to be able to throw a little better and to other receivers.