From ESPN.com Scouts, Inc. Insider:
Alabama offense vs. Arkansas defense
? Film study of the Arkansas defense in 2009 and early this season shows a couple of tendencies to look for this week. First, the Razorbacks like to rotate to a one-high safety look on most first downs and on run-heavy downs. Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson knows his interior defensive line will be overmatched versus Alabama's power-run game, so we expect to see even more of this look than usual. Alabama won't get away from its balanced approach but the Crimson Tide will likely throw the ball a bit more than normal on run downs in an attempt to exploit the vulnerable Arkansas secondary. The second tendency the Razorbacks are showing is bringing pressure on third-and-long (six yards or more), and sometimes in second-and-long (nine yards or longer) situations. The Tide surely knows this based on tape study so expect them to mix in some draws and screens to counter, especially on second downs.
? QB Greg McElroy appears to be more confident in the pocket than ever, and for good reason. His offensive line is providing plenty of time in pass protection, RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson are the premier 1-2 punch in the nation and WRs Julio Jones, Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks are playing the best football of their careers. McElroy played well versus Arkansas last season when he was merely a shell of the quarterback he is today, and if the Razorbacks stay true to the tendencies mentioned above McElroy has the poise and football intelligence to check Alabama to the proper play and execute on hot reads when necessary.
? The Arkansas defense averaged four sacks per game over the first three weeks but is not an elite pass-rushing group; the stats are inflated due to subpar competition. DE Jake Bequette is the Razorbacks' top pass rusher and a big, powerful rush end with a great motor, but he's not going to overwhelm Alabama with initial burst or athleticism. If LT James Carpenter can handle Bequette's power moves one-on-one -- which we believe he's capable of doing -- the Tide should have little trouble protecting McElroy on five- and seven-step drops.
Arkansas offense vs. Alabama defense
? Alabama sent more than four pass rushers after Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett on only five of 35 passing attempts in last season's 35-7 win and the defensive line did most of its damage by collapsing the pocket with bull rushes. The Crimson Tide also did an excellent job of getting their hands up to interfere with Mallett's field vision. Getting consistent pressure on Mallett with only three or four rushers gave defensive coordinator Kirby Smart a lot of flexibility with the seven or eight men he had in coverage. The Tide frequently showed false looks during Mallett's pre-snap reads and mixed up coverages throughout. There was a steady dose of man-zone combo coverage with the cornerbacks matching up one-on-one versus perimeter receivers but the safeties and linebackers playing differing versions of zone.
? Mallett completed only 12 passes in last year's loss to Alabama but did make several difficult throws into tight windows. Expect better results this time around. Mallett's accuracy has improved thanks to a more compact delivery and more polished footwork, and he also has a much better rapport with his receivers. WRs Greg Childs and Joe Adams and TE D.J. Williams are a formidable trio of pass catchers and Mallett has a far better feel for each of them in terms of timing and hot routes after more than a full season of work together. Finally, and most importantly, Alabama is inexperienced in the secondary. Former Tide CBs and current NFL players Javier Arenas (Chiefs) and Kareem Jackson (Texans) consistently got a jam at the line and slowed routes last season and also limited yards after the catch in zone coverage, but this year's group is still coming together. Mallett and his receivers must exploit that weakness.
? Arkansas had trouble running the ball on Alabama last season (63 yards on 26 carries) and put Mallett in far too many third-and-long situations, and that still seems to be a problem this season. The Razorbacks surrendered a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead to Georgia last week in large part because they couldn't bleed the clock with the running game. The offensive linemen are not opening many holes, taking poor angles and often leaving their feet rather than sustaining and finishing blocks. The other problem is that Arkansas' fullbacks, tight ends and wide receivers are not technically sound as blockers and do a poor job of hitting moving targets in space.
Scouts' Edge
Arkansas has loads of confidence after a fourth-quarter victory last week at Georgia, and Mallett should be able to do some damage at home against an inexperienced Alabama secondary. However, there are several reasons we simply cannot pick against Alabama.
First, the Razorbacks lack a consistent running game. Secondly, McElroy has gotten better since these teams last met. Thirdly, the Crimson Tide have a big advantage up front on both sides of the ball. Finally, Nick Saban is a well-prepared coach who will have his green secondary prepared to make just enough plays against Mallett.
Prediction: Crimson Tide 28, Razorbacks 24
Alabama offense vs. Arkansas defense
? Film study of the Arkansas defense in 2009 and early this season shows a couple of tendencies to look for this week. First, the Razorbacks like to rotate to a one-high safety look on most first downs and on run-heavy downs. Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson knows his interior defensive line will be overmatched versus Alabama's power-run game, so we expect to see even more of this look than usual. Alabama won't get away from its balanced approach but the Crimson Tide will likely throw the ball a bit more than normal on run downs in an attempt to exploit the vulnerable Arkansas secondary. The second tendency the Razorbacks are showing is bringing pressure on third-and-long (six yards or more), and sometimes in second-and-long (nine yards or longer) situations. The Tide surely knows this based on tape study so expect them to mix in some draws and screens to counter, especially on second downs.
? QB Greg McElroy appears to be more confident in the pocket than ever, and for good reason. His offensive line is providing plenty of time in pass protection, RBs Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson are the premier 1-2 punch in the nation and WRs Julio Jones, Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks are playing the best football of their careers. McElroy played well versus Arkansas last season when he was merely a shell of the quarterback he is today, and if the Razorbacks stay true to the tendencies mentioned above McElroy has the poise and football intelligence to check Alabama to the proper play and execute on hot reads when necessary.
? The Arkansas defense averaged four sacks per game over the first three weeks but is not an elite pass-rushing group; the stats are inflated due to subpar competition. DE Jake Bequette is the Razorbacks' top pass rusher and a big, powerful rush end with a great motor, but he's not going to overwhelm Alabama with initial burst or athleticism. If LT James Carpenter can handle Bequette's power moves one-on-one -- which we believe he's capable of doing -- the Tide should have little trouble protecting McElroy on five- and seven-step drops.
Arkansas offense vs. Alabama defense
? Alabama sent more than four pass rushers after Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett on only five of 35 passing attempts in last season's 35-7 win and the defensive line did most of its damage by collapsing the pocket with bull rushes. The Crimson Tide also did an excellent job of getting their hands up to interfere with Mallett's field vision. Getting consistent pressure on Mallett with only three or four rushers gave defensive coordinator Kirby Smart a lot of flexibility with the seven or eight men he had in coverage. The Tide frequently showed false looks during Mallett's pre-snap reads and mixed up coverages throughout. There was a steady dose of man-zone combo coverage with the cornerbacks matching up one-on-one versus perimeter receivers but the safeties and linebackers playing differing versions of zone.
? Mallett completed only 12 passes in last year's loss to Alabama but did make several difficult throws into tight windows. Expect better results this time around. Mallett's accuracy has improved thanks to a more compact delivery and more polished footwork, and he also has a much better rapport with his receivers. WRs Greg Childs and Joe Adams and TE D.J. Williams are a formidable trio of pass catchers and Mallett has a far better feel for each of them in terms of timing and hot routes after more than a full season of work together. Finally, and most importantly, Alabama is inexperienced in the secondary. Former Tide CBs and current NFL players Javier Arenas (Chiefs) and Kareem Jackson (Texans) consistently got a jam at the line and slowed routes last season and also limited yards after the catch in zone coverage, but this year's group is still coming together. Mallett and his receivers must exploit that weakness.
? Arkansas had trouble running the ball on Alabama last season (63 yards on 26 carries) and put Mallett in far too many third-and-long situations, and that still seems to be a problem this season. The Razorbacks surrendered a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead to Georgia last week in large part because they couldn't bleed the clock with the running game. The offensive linemen are not opening many holes, taking poor angles and often leaving their feet rather than sustaining and finishing blocks. The other problem is that Arkansas' fullbacks, tight ends and wide receivers are not technically sound as blockers and do a poor job of hitting moving targets in space.
Scouts' Edge
Arkansas has loads of confidence after a fourth-quarter victory last week at Georgia, and Mallett should be able to do some damage at home against an inexperienced Alabama secondary. However, there are several reasons we simply cannot pick against Alabama.
First, the Razorbacks lack a consistent running game. Secondly, McElroy has gotten better since these teams last met. Thirdly, the Crimson Tide have a big advantage up front on both sides of the ball. Finally, Nick Saban is a well-prepared coach who will have his green secondary prepared to make just enough plays against Mallett.
Prediction: Crimson Tide 28, Razorbacks 24
Last edited:
