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Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s SEC West clash between No. 7 Alabama and Arkansas in Fayetteville.
When: Saturday, Oct. 11
Where: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Game Time: 6:0 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Current Line: Alabama (-9)
SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS
- Alabama isn’t playing like a hungry team
- Crimson Tide’s backfield depth is disappearing
- 5 Arkansas players Alabama fans need to know
- Matchup Breakdown: Alabama WR Amari Cooper vs. Arkansas CB Tevin Mitchel
- Early Opponent Analysis: Alabama
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
Players to watch:
- QB Blake Sims
- RB T.J. Yeldon
- RB Derrick Henry
- WR Amari Cooper
- WR Christion Jones
- TE O.J. Howard
- LB Reggie Ragland
- LB Trey DePriest
- S Landon Collins
Keys for Alabama:
- Control the pace. Arkansas doesn’t spread it out and speed it up like teams try to do against Alabama, but they are more than capable of making sure the game is played at their speed. The Crimson Tide will have to get Arkansas off the field on third down, which will be tough with the way the Razorbacks are capable of churning out yards on the ground.
- Let Blake Sims get comfortable. Sims has been money all season, but wasn’t up to par against Ole Miss a week ago. He faces a much lesser defense against Arkansas, and getting him into a rhythm will help get the offense back on track after producing just 10 points in the 23-17 loss in Oxford. That means more of the quick screens to Amari Cooper and the rest of the receiving corps that weren’t easy to hit against the Rebels.
- Play focused football. Coming off their third loss in seven games, Alabama is in a relative funk. Nick Saban wants a more constant effort from his team, which means eliminating the penalties, turnovers and mental mistakes that have plagued this team at times this season. Coming off a loss, Alabama will have to put that behind them and take care of business against Arkansas.
Crimson Tide’s glaring weakness to watch: Special teams play. It’s been a common cause in the Tide’s recent losses, and it’s something Saban has talked about cleaning up all week. With two strong rushing attacks, this game might not have many possessions. Alabama can’t waste opportunities by missing kicks, giving the ball away or gifting the Razorbacks field position.
Most interesting part of this game: How will Alabama respond to adversity? On top of a loss that raised questions about how good this team is, Alabama has faced plenty of outside criticism, including some from a former teammate. Will they be able to put all that behind them?
Team buzz: The Crimson Tide need to refocus after losing to Ole Miss. They’re far from out of the SEC West race, with so many games left to be played between the teams currently around them in the standings. Alabama has hammered the Razorbacks for the last two years, but this is a far-improved Arkansas team in Bret Bielema’s second season.
ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
Players to watch:
- QB Brandon Allen
- RB Alex Collins
- RB Jonathan Williams
- WR Keon Hatcher
- CB Tevin Mitchel
- DE Trey Flowers
Keys for Arkansas:
- Run the ball. The Hogs face a stiff test in Alabama’s run defense, but it’s critical Arkansas run the ball successfully if it hopes to stay in the game late. Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams form arguably the best running back duo in the SEC and have been able to run at will thus far this season.
- Contain Amari Cooper and T.J. Yeldon. The Tide looks to right the ship this week after the road loss to Ole Miss last week, a game in which neither Cooper or Yeldon were impact players. Look for Lane Kiffin to get his two best players involved, but if Arkansas can contain them, it could make it tough for Bama.
- Leave it all on the field. The Razorbacks are still searching for its first SEC win in over a year, and Bret Bielema’s team is pushing all its chips to the center of the table. Arkansas has nothing to lose, so play physical and play desperate. You never know what may happen.
Arkansas’ glaring weakness to watch: Passing game. Brandon Allen has been a good game manager for the Hogs this season and played well in the loss to Texas A&M two weeks ago, but if he can make a few plays against a suspect Crimson Tide secondary, that could prove important.
Most interesting part of this game: How will Arkansas respond after two straight beatdowns at the hands of Alabama? We’ve seen improvement from Bielema’s club, but how will they perform against the class of the SEC?
Team buzz: The Razorbacks need a signature win under Bret Bielema. After going winless in the SEC a year ago and narrowly losing to A&M two weeks ago, a win over Alabama would solidify Arkansas football and what Bielema is trying to build in Fayetteville.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
