What's better? What's worse? Tracking Alabama statistical trends through three games
- Through Alabama's first three 2026 games, the article cites PFF tracking of 31 avoided tackles on 125 rushes. Its running backs have eight runs of at least 15 yards but 14 carries stopped for zero or negative yardage, with Hill, Crowell and Brown each having at least three such stops. The combination shows explosive gains alongside drive-disrupting runs, not consistently efficient rushing.
- Alabama's Keelon Russell has a 157.1 passing-efficiency rating, 68.7% completions and 9.2 yards per attempt through three 2026 games; the team has four passing touchdowns. Russell also has seven runs of at least 10 yards. These are the article's early-season production measures, not a quarterback change or a schedule-adjusted forecast.
- Alabama's defense has 10 sacks through three 2026 games, including three by Devan Thompkins, while opposing running backs average 3.3 yards per carry. Opponents have converted 30% of third downs, and Alabama has forced seven turnovers. These are the reported three-game results against an uneven early schedule, not proof every defensive matchup is resolved.
- Alabama's 2026 defensive risks remain visible in the same three-game sample: opposing quarterbacks average 8.5 yards per attempt with a 133.2 efficiency rating, and opponents have scored touchdowns on seven of eight red-zone trips. Those are current aggregate vulnerabilities, not a reported coverage change or a prediction for South Carolina.
- Through three 2026 games, Alabama kicker Conor Talty is 8-for-8 on field goals, with his longest attempt from 45 yards. Alabama has touchbacks on 23 of 28 kickoffs and leads the reported national net-punting table at 48.6 yards on only five punts. The small sample and limited field-goal range qualify the results; they do not establish longer-range certainty.
offenserbolconcernsgame_breakdownqbdefensedllbdbspecial_teamskicker