Stiff test awaits 2nd-ranked Tide against Arkansas
Alabama will have to bring their A-game against a wounded Hogs team.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
Henry To'oto'o and the Tide defense celebrate a big stop against Vandy. (Photo via Vasha Hunt)
Alabama begins a brutal stretch of six straight challenging games as they travel to Fayetteville to take on the 20th-ranked Razorbacks of Arkansas in a key SEC West matchup on Saturday afternoon. The Hogs are a dangerous team and coming off a tough loss to Texas A&M last week, they face a must-win contest if they want to stay in the hunt for the West. Meanwhile, Alabama sits at 4-0 after winning their SEC opener last week against Vanderbilt, 55-3. A rowdy and loud crowd is expected, as the Hogs have designated Saturday as a “Red Out” game.
The Hog offense, led by junior signal caller KJ Jefferson, will test the vaunted Bama D. Currently, Arkansas’ offense sits as the nation’s 26th ranked unit, averaging 479 yards and 33.5 points per game, and they are converting 46.6% of their third down chances. Tide fans will remember the problems dynamic playmaker Jefferson caused last season, almost upsetting the Tide in Tuscaloosa with his timely throws and scrambling ability. Jefferson is completing 69% of his passes and has thrown 8 touchdowns and only 1 interception. In addition, Jefferson is the team’s second-leading rusher averaging 4.3 yards a carry while tallying 4 touchdowns on the ground. Leading Arkansas’ powerful running game is senior tailback Raheim “Rocket” Sanders, who has scored 3 touchdowns and averages 6.1 yards per carry.
On the outside, senior wideout Matt Landers leads the way and is averaging 15.3 yards per catch. Usually reliable placekicker Cam Little missed a 42-yard field goal last week against A&M that could have proved to be the winner, and for the season he has connected on 2 of 4 attempts with a long of 32 yards. Defensively, the Hogs have an excellent front seven (they lead the nation in sacks with 20) and are led by linebacker Bumper Pool (36 tackles). Alabama transfer Drew Sanders leads the country in sacks with 5.5 and has 31 tackles overall. Senior lineman Jordan Demineck is having a terrific start to the season as well (13 tackles, 4.5 sacks). The secondary has been hot with the injury bug and is struggling, which could prove to be a major problem against Bryce Young and the Tide passing game. Overall, the Razorback defense ranks 91st nationally, giving up 401.8 yards per game, including an average of 302 per game through the air. In order to stay in this one, the Hogback line must stiffen while the front 7 needs to make Young uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, the Tide offense has looked sharp the last two weeks and will need another strong effort against Pool, Sanders, and the Arkansas front seven. The unit ranks 6th nationally, racking up 517.5 yards and 48.3 points per game, and is converting 44% on 3rd downs. Young is having another fine season, completing 68.6% of his passes for 13 touchdowns against 2 interceptions (both thrown against Louisiana Monroe two weeks ago). The downfield passing game came alive last week against Vandy, and Traeshon Holden leads the way with 4 touchdown grabs while averaging 11 yards per catch. Tailback Jahmyr Gibbs has proven to be a dangerous option for Young out of the backfield as he leads the team in receptions (17) and has 3 touchdown grabs. Emerging star receivers Ja’Corey Brooks, Jermaine Burton, Kobe Prentice, and tight end Cameron Latu look to continue their recent solid work and they have added more weapons to Young’s arsenal. The Tide have one of the deepest running back rooms in the country and they are producing behind a solid offensive line. The Tide currently rank first in the conference in rushing average per attempt. Junior Jace McClellan leads the way, averaging 8.4 yards per carry and has scored 2 rushing touchdowns. Not far behind McClellan include Gibbs, Roydell Williams, Trey Sanders, and freshman Jamarion Williams. Bryce Young has proven he can run as well, averaging 9.4 yards per carry. Senior placekicker Will Reichard is perfect on the year, hitting on all 6 of his attempts and he has a long kick of 52 yards. Overall, the Crimson Tide special teams units are performing well too, led by elite punt returner Kool-Aid McKinstry, who is a threat to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. Kool-Aid is averaging a staggering 20.4 yards per punt return.
Arkansas’s back is against the wall after dropping to 1-1 in the conference, and they desperately need to put the A&M disappointment behind them and focus on a Crimson Tide team that is catching its stride on both sides of the ball. Bama struggled on the road last season and they did not set the world on fire in their first road trip of the year to Austin, so it will be interesting to see if the veteran Tide can handle what should be a hostile environment in Fayetteville. Ultimately, this game will be decided by who wins both lines of scrimmage. The Tide defense will need to control Arkansas’ strong running game and limit Jefferson’s ability to move the chains. Bama’s depth is showing with Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding rotating a lot of bodies on defense, especially on the line and in the secondary. Defensive lineman Byron Young and safety Jordan Battle were injured against Vanderbilt, and are listed day to day. Both will be needed to help tame the Hogs on Saturday. The Razorbacks will come out on fire, hoping to atone for last week’s loss by holding nothing back against the Tide. Look for Alabama to weather the early storm and establish dominance on both lines. Young and company will take advantage of the Hog secondary with another huge performance. It’s close through three quarters, yet Alabama pulls away in the 4th to remain unbeaten.
Alabama 38
Arkansas 20