Even in a new-aged offense, filled with run-pass option looks and a dangerous vertical passing attack, the University of Alabama remains with an offensive line that can handle it all.
For a group anchored by Jonah Williams at left tackle and Ross Pierschhacher at center, the Crimson Tide’s front line is responsible for the program having arguably the most explosive offense in college football.
Through seven regular season games, Alabama is averaging 53.6 points per game while turning in 333 of 375 total points – 88.8 percent – on offense.
Behind this unit, the Tide has two 400-yard rushers in Damien Harris (423) and Najee Harris (439), with both players sharing four touchdowns apiece. The duo each has one 100-yard game coming against Arkansas State (Najee Harris, 135) and Arkansas (Damien Harris, 111).
Per a press release from the Joe Moore Foundation on Tuesday, UA’s offensive line was one of 14 selections to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll.
Along with its success in assisting the team to points, the men in the trenches have also protected sophomore Tua Tagovailoa in his record-setting season.
He has completed 88 of 123 attempts (71.5%) for 1,760 yards with 21 touchdowns to no interceptions in seven games, and has yet to see action in a fourth quarter. Tagovailoa’s 21 scoring passes tie him with former Tide standout Jacob Coker (21, in 2015) for fifth all-time in school history for touchdown passes in a single-season.
In keeping the native Hawaiian upright, Alabama has averaged 567 yards offensively and is having its best season of the Saban era in third down efficiency – converting 57 percent of the time.
Should this continue, expect to see the Tide as one of the finalists for the Joe Moore honor.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
