Tua Tagovailoa is the Heisman Trophy front-runner. But if you’re not sold on the Alabama quarterback, one ridiculous fact should be enough to change your mind.
As the calendar turns to November, the superstar sophomore has completed 70.4 percent of his attempts for 2,066 yards and 25 touchdowns with zero interceptions. He’s guided Alabama to a dominant 8-0 record.
But none of those are it.
Tagovailoa has a grand total of zero pass attempts in the fourth quarter this season.
Unlike previous seasons, it’s not simply because Nick Saban’s team has a terrorizing defense. The unit — while still excellent — is giving up 4.71 yards per play, the program’s third-highest average over the last decade.
The Crimson Tide have so consistently, so thoroughly dominated their opponents that 22 points is the closest margin of victory. In that game, Tagovailoa wasn’t needed because Alabama led Texas A&M by 29 points entering the fourth quarter.
Tagovailoa and the offense are simply overwhelming the competition with 54.1 points per game. The all-time record is 1944 Army’s average of 56.0 points.
Since the Crimson Tide have consecutive games against LSU and Mississippi State, Tagovailoa’s jarring statistic is probably about to change.
Before it happens, though, it’s OK to sit there in awe.