You just made my point. The majority were the same guys but the strategy is different. Nico was a freshman QB. Hooker was a veteran who had total control of the offense. When u have a veteran QB, a coach is far more likely to rely on the QB. With Nico u had no choice but to rely on the run game and defense to win. Hence why they played the game at a different pace.
It’s not magic, it’s common sense that if you slow the game down u limit possessions for the opponent. That will always help your defense. Why do u think a random backup OL catches a cramp on an extra point after every quick TD??
As far as the 3 yards and cloud of dust statement, football has always been won in the trenches since the beginning of time. Saban has 100 rings off running the ball and playing strong defense. Hell Michigan recently won a title with a QB who couldn’t throw the ball across the street and that was after LSU, Clemson, & 2020 Bama. Indiana just won a natty with a QB who had 1 total 300yard passing game. When u can run the ball, you control the game and that’s on every level of football. Look at Walker in the Superbowl and look at Saquon the year before him.