Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa scrambles for a first down as Texas A&M defensive lineman Landis Durham pursues during their Sept. 22 game in Tuscaloosa, Ala.No. 1 ALABAMA (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at ARKANSAS (1-4, 0-2)
Noon at Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
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THE MATCHUP
Alabama's offense has been essentially unstoppable this season, with the Crimson Tide having averaged 54.2 points and 553.2 yards per game, and that's with no effort needed in the fourth quarter. The Arkansas defense is getting better, so advantage Alabama. That defense is superior to the Razorbacks' 31.2 points allowed per game, though, because Arkansas has given up a punt return for a touchdown to North Texas and kickoff returns for touchdowns to Auburn and Texas A&M. Auburn had only 160 yards of total offense against the Razorbacks early in the fourth quarter of its 34-3 win on Sept. 22, and the Hogs played the Aggies to a 17-17 standoff after yielding a score on the opening play before losing 24-17 last Saturday. The Arkansas defense is under the guidance of first-year coordinator John Chavis, who is facing Alabama for a 30th straight season. Chavis was 10-9-1 against the Crimson Tide when he was at Tennessee from 1989 to 2008 (11-9 including Alabama's forfeit of the 17-17 tie in 1993), but his last win over Alabama was with LSU in 2011. "When you look at his track record, and you see the success he's had at all his stops, it's not surprising that he's getting these guys to play at a high level," Arkansas coach Chad Morris said. "I just think they'll continue to improve under his leadership as well."
ONE TO WATCH
This spot could be reserved for Crimson Tide starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a while, especially after his 8-for-8 showing in last Saturday's 56-14 rout of Louisiana. The stellar sophomore has completed 75 percent of his passes (66-of-88) for 1,161 yards with 14 touchdowns and no interceptions, and he has yet to play in a fourth quarter. Alabama is showing no signs of taking its opponents for granted, which may be a sign Tagovailoa has grabbed the reins from a leadership standpoint as well. "I think it's the most important thing you can have," Alabama coach Nick Saban said this week, "because something coming from your peers can have a greater impact than something coming from your coach. Part of leadership is to reinforce the principles and values of the organization in every way. If you have a good leader in each group that challenges each group, it's very beneficial."
IN THE END
Alabama is a 35-point favorite after being a 49-point favorite last Saturday against the Ragin' Cajuns, a game the Crimson Tide led 49-0 at halftime. "We're playing the No. 1 team in the country at home," Morris said. "We're excited about this opportunity." Despite Arkansas showing improvement since its embarrassing 44-17 loss to North Texas on Sept. 15, this will be a mismatch in every way and especially on special teams, where Alabama freshman Jaylen Waddle could easily be the next Arkansas foe to take a return to the house.
PREDICTION
Alabama 52, Arkansas 7