Hurts, Alabama defense, lead way to 49-30 win over Arkansas
- by Belinda Burton
- in Sport
- — Oct 10, 2016
Will Alabama get caught looking ahead? That's followed by a date with the undefeated Aggies and then LSU on November 5. The Crimson Tide is ranked 27th in passing defense allowing 188 yards per game and is ranked 3rd in rushing defense allowing only 68.4 yards per game.
That will not be easy to do with the Tide going to a spread offense with freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts running the show. The stands started to empty when Bo Scarbrough made one move on a defender and essentially walked into the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown to put Alabama ahead 35-10 in the second quarter.
Unlike the past few years, Alabama is running the ball out of the back field by committee.
The Tide's first possession ended with a lost fumble on the Arkansas 1-yard line - forced and recovered by safety De'Andre Coley - but the Tide gained 80 yards without much resistance from the Razorbacks' defense.
Super star wide out Calvin Ridley is the next man up for a receiving corp that keeps churning out studs. The Arkansas coach was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after Arkansas had to settle for Adam McFain's 25-yard field goal after Allen's touchdown pass to Drew Morgan was voided by a holding penalty called on offensive tackle Brian Wallace.
Arkansas' defense has produced more turnovers this season - including four inside its own 5 - but the number of big plays it has given up is alarming. Alabama reloads and this year is no different. Alabama is ranked 9th in scoring defense allowing 13 points per game.
The total is low because Alabama is a team that doesn't give up a ton of points and they are better and more physical than their opponents.
When the Hogs resort to passing, Bama will pin their ears back and come after Razorback quarterback Austin Allen.
On the offense, Alabama averages 252.8 yards in passing and 231.6 yards in rushing.
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Skinny: After back-to-back conference losses to Ole Miss and Tennessee, the Bulldogs should be looking forward to SC, which has one of the least productive offenses in the country.
Defensively, the Tide has talent at every position, especially in the front seven.
Needing only to kill the clock and finish off the undead Vols for good, Texas A&M handed to Williams (28 carries for 217 yards and a touchdown), who busted down the left sideline toward the end zone, only to have Tennessee defender Darrell Taylor race from behind to punch the ball through the end zone. Cody Hollister had 48 yards and a touchdown. This is a very underrated unit that Bama will have to contend with.
Key players: Freshman running back A.J. Turner had 75 of his 113 yards rushing against Texas A&M on one play last week. "Obviously we like to run the football".
With both Florida Tech and UNA having a full slate of games scheduled for the remainder of the season, there is not an opportunity for this game to be rescheduled. Unfortunately, their weakness is also Alabama's strength. Alabama holds a 16-8 lead in the all-time series and has won nine straight games against Arkansas.
Alabama is 5-0 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss, and 8-2 ATS versus a team with a winning record.
6A: Friday, Chelsea, 5-1 and No. 10 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, is at No. 4 Opelika (5-1).
The game on Saturday could end up being the best game of the weekend.
"It works well for us, it's when we play the best", coach Nick Saban said of the offense. Only one team can leave undefeated. As for the total, the number opened at 50.5 and has been bet down to 49. Take the Razorbacks, who will play inspired at home, to cover the +14.
