re: Forcing FG's instead of TDs

This team isn't as talented as 2010 but they're a better team. I think they're similar to the 2012 team. One area we have been excellent this year and so-so in years past has been 3rd down conversions. Sims is directly responsible for that, he's picked up a few big first downs with his legs that AJ would have taken a sack on.

The defense isn't in the same ballpark as 2011. They aren't going to make your jaw drop but they're still massive up front. They have progressively gotten better since week 1, which is all you can really ask. All in all, I'd rank them '11, '09, '12, '14, '13, '10, '07. This team doesn't have the dominating oline that '11 had, but it's easily collection of skill players under Saban and Sims brings an element we've never had with his legs. It's a different team than we've really ever had under Saban offensively, so any comparison is apples to oranges.