Now five weeks into the season, the numbers are beginning to take a more reliable form.
They're also showing the difference between this Alabama team and the last decade or so. It's knocking on the door of a top-10 passing offense while checking in at No. 29 running the ball.
The Tide moved back to No. 1 in scoring with 54.2 points a game while making the top-10 in nine different categories we survey every week.
Penalties, red-zone scoring and 20-yard plays allowed remain the areas of concern -- at least statistically.
With Arkansas' numbers included in advance of Saturday's game in Fayetteville, Alabama's problems are all relative.