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TUSCALOOSA - Alabama put the ball in its running backs' safe hands 39 times Saturday in a 38-10 victory at Florida. It got the ball to a wide receiver only five times.
Balance? Sure. The play-calling seemed balanced between Trent Richardson running inside and Trent Richardson running outside. Richardson left. Richardson right. The star junior running back ran the Gators ragged, carrying a career-high 29 times for a career-high 181 yards.
Alabama now ranks No. 13 in the nation in rushing (229.8 yards per game) and No. 80 in passing (208.2 yards per game).
But there was far more balance to the Crimson Tide's offense than it might first appear. It seemed to throw the Gators off by throwing frequently on first down.
For the game, Alabama threw 14 times on 31 first-down plays. But that number is skewed by runs on the last six first-down plays as the Tide managed the clock after its offensive line established dominance.
Alabama actually came out firing. It threw on seven of its first 10 first-down plays. In the second half, which the Tide opened with a 24-10 lead, it threw on six of its first nine first-down plays.
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