Alabama’s 78 Plays Per Game is Highest Average in the Saban Era

During the offseason, Nick Saban was highly criticized for making Lane Kiffin Alabama's new offensive coordinator. Kiffin had recently been fired from USC and didn't seem like a good fit for the Crimson Tide, but through the first four games of the season, it looks like Saban made the perfect choice.

When you think about some of the top offenses in the game, it's easy to point to plays per game as a measuring stick. The hurry-up, fast-paced style, often times, tries to keep defenses off-balanced by running as many plays as possible. Combine that style of play with effective execution (Oregon, Texas A&M, Auburn), and you have a high number of offensive plays.

Alabama has prided itself in a methodical approach offensively that takes advantage of its size, stamina, and depth to wear down opponents over 60 minutes.

But that's changed in 2014.

Alabama is currently averaging 78 plays per game, which is up from 63.5 plays per game in 2013. That's not only a higher average than both Auburn and Texas A&M, it's also the highest average in Saban's career as a head coach.

Just to put it into perspective, the last time Kiffin had an offense that averaged over 78 plays per game was at USC in 2005. For the ones who do not know, that team averaged over 49 points per game and finished with the best total offense in the country behind players like Reggie Bush, LenDale White, and Matt Leinart.

So what's Alabama doing this year that it hasn't in years past?

Kiffin hasn't made any drastic changes to Alabama's offense or style of play. Saban believes it's his new offensive coordinator's ability to utilize playmakers that has led to the team's early offensive success.

"Lane does a really, really good job of taking advantage of what players can do. I think that has benefitted us so far this season," Saban said in his weekly press conference. "I think he utilizes the players really well and presents problems for the defense by formation and adjustment."

Alabama still has its toughest games ahead so it may be too early to think that this pace will continue, but Kiffin's guidance has already led to some of the school's best offensive performances. Here's what we've seen through four games:

• Alabama has topped over 538 total yards in each game this season. They only topped that number once last season and only eight times in the six seasons prior.
• Wide receiver Amari Cooper has at least 130 receiving yards in each game this season. He has 43 receptions, 655 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns through four games. Last season, he finished with 45 receptions, 736 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns.
• Blake Sims passed for 445 yards against Florida, the second-most passing yards in a single game in school history.
• Alabama racked up 645 total yards against Florida. That is the most yards ever gained on a Gator defense.

Numbers do not lie. Alabama has made significant progress with its offense and continues to get better each week. Despite the output through one month of the season, Saban still thinks there's room to grow.

"In my opinion, we have not arrived as an offense," Saban said. "(Kiffin) would be the first to tell you that, and I will tell you that to."

If this offense has not arrived, it is scary to think about how good they will be when they arrive.