From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down from 100 to 1 until Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 69 and what it means to UA football.
When AJ McCarron hooked up with Marquis Maze for a 69-yard reception against the Tennessee Vols on Oct. 22, it was a "boom!" moment, a rare breakout play from an offense that leaned conservative for most of the season. The long reception ended in a field goal, and the play turned out to be the longest from the Alabama passing game all season.
As the Tide close in on two months until kickoff, one has to wonder whether the big play will return to the UA offense. McCarron is back for another year, and newly installed offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier has a reputation for a more open offense. Throw in an overhauled receiving corps, and the ingredients look to be on the table for a more potent passing game.
Bama fans need look no further than the quarterback McCarron replaced to get an idea of where the junior from Mobile, Ala., may be headed. Greg McElroy, the fiery competitor from Texas who is entering his second full season in the NFL, was in a similar position to McCarron when the Tide won the championship in 2009. McElroy managed the offense, averaging 179.1 yards per game in his first season as a starter. He was efficient, too, throwing 17 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Sound familiar? That's because McCarron's stat line was very similar last season: 15 touchdowns, five interceptions and 202.6 yards per game.
When McElroy returned to Tuscaloosa for his senior season, the offense took off. He threw for 20 touchdowns, 230 yards per game and completed 68 passes for 15 yards or more -- an increase of nearly 20 such passes from the season before. The offense, in turn, went from 32.1 points per game to 35.7.
Whether a similar jump in production is in order for McCarron and the Alabama offense is in order is up for grabs. The numbers indicate it may be coming, but as always, SEC defenses will test the Tide offense week in and week out.