TerryP
Staff
2012 Alabama vs. Last 15 NCAA Football Champions | ||||
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Rank | Team | Win% | Avg. PPG | Simulate vs. Alabama |
1 | 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide | 83.5 | 29.0 | SimMatchup > |
2 | 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide | 72.6 | 33.7 | SimMatchup > |
3 | 2004 USC Trojans | 70.9 | 32.6 | SimMatchup > |
4 | 2001 Miami (FL) Hurricanes | 68.5 | 33.4 | SimMatchup > |
5 | 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide | 68.2 | 31.1 | SimMatchup > |
6 | 2008 Florida Gators | 59.6 | 30.8 | SimMatchup > |
7 | 2005 Texas Longhorns | 58.2 | 29.1 | SimMatchup > |
8 | 1999 Florida State Seminoles | 46.9 | 27.0 | SimMatchup > |
9 | 2000 Oklahoma Sooners | 40.2 | 25.2 | SimMatchup > |
10 | 2006 Florida Gators | 36.0 | 23.3 | SimMatchup > |
11 | 2003 LSU Tigers | 35.5 | 24.3 | SimMatchup > |
12 | 1998 Tennessee Volunteers | 34.3 | 24.2 | SimMatchup > |
13 | 2002 Ohio State Buckeyes | 28.1 | 22.8 | SimMatchup > |
14 | 2007 LSU Tigers | 26.0 | 23.6 | SimMatchup > |
15 | 2010 Auburn Tigers | 21.4 | 25.3 | SimMatchup > |
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But how does Alabama compare to past champions? Using our college football simulation engine, we placed the Crimson Tide's 2012 team in a round-robin tournament against every team of the BCS era, dating back to 1998.
Alabama romped through the simulation, placing three teams in the top five. The current squad claimed top honors by winning 83.5 percent of simulated games despite averaging the seventh-most points.
The simulation engine, which takes into account the statistical makeup of each team, was impressed by Alabama's offensive effectiveness and defensive prowess. A dominant offensive line enabled the Crimson Tide to average 5.6 yards per rush as a team, sixth nationally this year. Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon combined for 2,430 yards on the ground and 29 end-zone excursions.
While AJ McCarron threw for just 209.5 yards per game in 2012, his 175.3 quarterback rating led the country. McCarron was ultra-efficient, completing 67.2 percent of passes with 30 touchdowns and three interceptions.
The real catalyst for Alabama's most recent national championship run was a suffocating defense that surrendering just 10.9 points and 250 yards per game, both the fewest in the nation. Opposing rushers averaged 2.4 yards per carry, while opposing quarterbacks completed 54.7 percent of passes and combined to throw eight touchdowns and 18 interceptions
You can change matchups with their simulations by clicking the links above.