Alabama used the running game to move the ball in their 41-14 win over Michigan. The freshman debut of T.J. Yeldon made that running game look even more dominant than anticipated.

AJ McCarron was 11-of-21 for 199 yards and two touchdowns, similar to a typical statline he posted last season.

"I think we're capable of throwing the ball more effectively," said Nick Saban. "... If we're going to be the kind of team we're capable of, we're going to have to be able to create balance on offense, because AJ's really too good of a quarterback for us not to utilize his talents in throwing the football."