In preparation for Saturday’s showdown between Arkansas and Alabama, Saturday Down South is taking a look at the key matchups that may decide the game between the Razorbacks and the Crimson Tide.

Arkansas CB Tevin Mitchel vs. Alabama WR Amari Cooper

Arkansas’ top cornerback Tevin Mitchel will have his hands full this weekend facing off with arguably the best wideout in the country in Amari Cooper.

Cooper’s on pace for a historic season; he’s notched 52 catches for 746 yards and five scores for the Crimson Tide. He’s as versatile a receiver as there is in college football. Cooper is Alabama’s biggest deep threat and also possesses the agility to beat any cornerback in the slot or in press coverage at the line of scrimmage.

Mitchel’s stats don’t jump off the page, but he’s a fundamentally-sound defensive back capable of perhaps not stopping Cooper, but slowing him down. He’s recorded six tackles this season, but has four pass break-ups. He possesses good ball skills, but Cooper is the best in the SEC at attacking and making plays on the ball.

Alabama quarterback Blake Sims was relatively quiet in the loss to Ole Miss, but look for Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin to try to get him back involved, and you can be sure that will meaning targets to Cooper.