Are there clues in the stats?
By Tony Carter

The #14 ranked and (3-0) Arkansas Razorbacks visit the #2 ranked and (3-0) Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend as a 12-point underdog. Both undefeated teams have enjoyed easy victories versus overwhelmed teams thus far.

This weekend should be a different story considering the contrasting statistical red flags.

Arkansas has outscored their opponents at a clip of 141-38, but those opponents have a combined record of 0-8. The first three opponents were Missouri State 51-7, New Mexico 52-3 and Troy 38-28.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are tallying up over 500 yards/game, but Alabama is relinquishing only 1/3 of that (170 yards/game).

Arkansas has averaged nearly seven yards per play. The Alabama defense is the best defensive unit in the nation surrendering only 2.5 yards per play (nearly ½ yard better than the next team).

Arkansas has yet to give up a touchdown versus the rush this year, Alabama is averaging four rushing touchdowns per game. Alabama running back Trent Richardson leads the nation in scoring with eight touchdowns—all on the ground.

Arkansas quarterbacks have been pressured all year, and have given up six sacks. In contrast, Alabama has only given up one sack so far this season. Editor’s note: I changed the wording of this sentence and its structure, but failed to change the related stat. Since this is a comparison between Arkansas’ pass protection and Alabama’s defense, the sentence should have read: In contrast, Alabama has netted four sacks with all four coming in the first game of the season. It was my error and not the author’s as I edited for clarity and put in an incorrect value.

Key Players: Watch for Arkansas junior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging just under 20 yards per catch. Also, keep an eye on the entire Alabama running back corps. The top three Alabama Crimson Tide rushers are averaging a staggering 8.1 yards per carry.

Key to Watch: Can Arkansas get the running game going or will the Razorbacks continue to be one-dimensional? This could be a big part of the game as Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Nick Saban praised Arkansas’ offense for its balance between the Razorbacks’ rushing and passing offense.

Prediction: Alabama 27 Arkansas 17

7 thoughts on “Preview: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Alabama Crimson Tide”

  1. Big Bama fan but your stats are wrong. Bama’s given up 4 sacks for a loss of 31 yards averaging 1.33 a game. Arky has 3 for a loss of 23 yards averaging 1 a game.

  2. All those sacks but one were on Phillip Simms who holds the ball too long and will not be playing in this game unless it’s a blowout. So you’re stats are wrong because they are irrelevant. Also it is a technical difference if a QB pulls down the ball and decides to run but doesn’t quite make it back to the line of scrimmage as were a few of those so called sacks. I consider it a sack when a QB is tackled while trying to throw. When he runs it is no different than an RB tackled behind the line – It is simply a running play that lost yardage. anyway it is beside the point. Bama has played much tougher competition and have had far, far less pressure on the QB than has Arkansas – excluding indecisive Simms. RTR!

  3. Enough of all this JIBBER JABBER CRAP. Action speak louder than words, TALK IS CHEAP. ALL THE TALKING IS DONE ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD AND NOT BEHIND THE DESK. Crimson Tide when the time comes “HUSH UP ALL THOSE BLABBER MOUTHS THAT LIKES TO MAKES THESE LOUSY PREDICTIONS AND LIKES TO GET STUFF STIRRED UP.”

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