I think the Alabama game caught everyone’s attention. It was a crucible, he ripped them up, and it eschewed in a realization that this dude can do this against anybody. I kept relating it to the Michael Vick vs FSU in the natty a couple of decades ago. Bama’s only defense in that game was to maim him, or he would break their ankles.
The stats had been there, but that game made everyone forget FSU and made everyone realize who he is doing this against. That is the benefit of having the Tide on the schedule (one of the few) is that you have the ultimate litmus test that garners immediate national respect.