For most of a quarter, it was competitive. A gritty but outmanned Arkansas team held Alabama to a field goal, then drove for a field goal. After forcing an Alabama stop on downs, it was 3-3 late in the first quarter.

And then, Alabama happened. And the result was predictable: a 52-3 blowout Saturday.

DeVonta Smith went 84 yards untouched for punt return touchdown. A short field ended in a Najee Harris touchdown. A sack and forced fumble led to a 5-yard scoring drive, courtesy of Harris again. Another scoring drive, led by Brian Robinson at running back at John Metchie III at wide receiver. And then a careful 4-minute drive to cap the half, this time ending with a 4-yard scoring run by Robinson.

And in just over 15 minutes, the halftime score grew to Alabama 38, Arkansas 3.

The pace slowed in the 2nd half as Alabama substituted freely. But suffice it to say that after the first few series of the game, there were absolutely no signs of a letdown for the top-ranked Tide, who showed very little compunction about thumping a short-handed Razorback squad.

Mac Jones was a workman-like 24-for-29 passing for 208 yards with an interception. Harris picked up 46 yards on 14 carries and his 2 touchdown runs before departing the game early. Smith had just 3 catches for 22 yards, although his 3 punt returns for 111 yards, including the 84-yard scoring play that opened the floodgates, showed some of his skills. The Tide controlled the game from the outset, going 8-for-10 on third-down plays in the first half.

The only negative — aside, perhaps from Jones being held without a TD pass for the 2nd time this season — was the shoulder injury Christian Harris suffered on the first play from scrimmage. Harris, who is Alabama’s leading tackler, did not return.

Arkansas struggled on both sides of the ball, failing to amass 100 yards of total offense in the first 3 quarters and committing 4 turnovers overall. Feleipe Franks started but shared series with KJ Jefferson until Jefferson suffered a leg injury late in the 3rd quarter.  The Razorbacks were averaging less than a yard per carry midway through the second half.

Alabama continued its efficiency in the second half, with Robinson reaching the end zone for a 3rd time on a 4 yard run with 7:24 left in the third quarter to make it 45-3. Jase McClellan added an 80-yard TD run in the final minutes to account for the final points.

Alabama will take on Florida in the SEC Championship game next Saturday. The game will feature a matchup of Heisman candidates in QBs Jones and Kyle Trask — not to mention Smith, who has soared into the conversation.

It also promises to involve 2 of the top passing games in the league and nation. Frankly, Alabama likely has a CFP spot locked up, even if they were to be upset by the Gators.

Arkansas finished its regular season at 3-7, which is a win or two more than most preseason prognosticators expected. Because of the tweaked bowl eligibility rules, the Razorbacks will likely appear in a bowl game for the first time since the 2016 season.