It's not like this is some state secret, it's been the same for awhile.
But scheme-wise, it isn’t much different from the same formula that has worked for Saban since his arrival in Tuscaloosa – a steady diet of a physical running game, mixed in with short throws and deep patterns usually set-up by the play-action.
Alabama's running game has set up McCarron all season. He leads FBS in pass efficiency (173.1), and play action has been the key.
McCarron completes nearly 70 percent of his passes thrown after a run fake and is averaging an SEC-best 11.9 yards per attempt. He has not thrown an interception off play-action in 130 attempts, with his last one coming in last season's loss to LSU.
McCarron's average throw after a run fake travels 11.7 yards downfield, and he completes 76 percent of his deep throws that are set up by play-action. On such passes, he has eight touchdowns and no interceptions in 21 attempts.
As he was against Georgia, Cooper has been McCarron’s favorite target on those downfield throws, catching 11 of 14 passes thrown 20 yards or longer when he was the target. Eight of those receptions were off play-action, including four touchdowns.
