You’re 100% right. That Alabama offense was basically slant/go, good luck stopping us. They had 4 elite WRs that could fly and break off those slants seamlessly. Tua throws both routes incredibly well. He can rip the ball down the field with amazing touch and he can rocket them accurately in stride on those slants.
Because of that, you saw a ton of corners in off-coverage, with outside leverage on Ruggs. It was essentially giving up the slant release with the acceptance that if they played him inside or tried to press him too often, they were sure to get burnt for the home run on the boundary. Bama kept it so simple because they knew what they had. I definitely think Brees could pop some off, but NFL corners would play Ruggs inside and force him to the boundary if he were playing with 2020 Brees.