News Article: Arkansas preview: Conference opener will tell the tale of Alabama’s defense

[JessN]

Arkansas preview: Conference opener will tell the tale of Alabama’s defense
By Jess Nicholas
TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief
Sept. 21, 2010

Amid the weeping and gnashing of teeth concerning Alabama’s defensive performance so far in 2010, the Crimson Tide travels to Arkansas for what could be its toughest SEC game of 2010.

While Florida was more highly ranked in the preseason, the Gators are slipping. South Carolina’s offense is still shaky, LSU is orbiting Les Miles’ hat, and Auburn has taken every bit of the clock to defeat a pair of unranked and troubled programs. So all of a sudden, this might be Alabama’s game of the year.

For the full story, click here.

• Gameday Guide

 

[ncbama]

Jess,
You surprised me on this one. I thought you might pick Arkansas in a close one.
I just don't get our defense. Against Duke, and I was there, it looked like men playing boys. But somehow Duke was able to move through our line. At times the defense looked invincible, especially the one time Dareus broke through and absolutely smothered a much smaller running back. But most of the time our defensive line didn't look that much better than Duke's.

Instead of camparisons like defensive line vs. defensive line, etc., you had made the comparison on an individual basis, e.g. Marcel Dareus vs Arkansas' comparable position, I believe Alabama would win hands down. We simply have more and better athletes at just about every position but quarterback.

Translating individual talent on defense into a team effort may be Coach Saban's biggest challenge since coming to Alabama.

As always, thanks for another astute analysis of Saturday's gams.

 

[trenda]

Good analysis, Jess, as usual. However, I think you're giving Arkansas much more credit than they deserve considering the level of talent they've played against thus far.

They've played two of the worst teams in college football in Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe, and struggled mightily with ULM for three quarters. It took everything they had to beat an extremely undisciplined Georgia team playing without it's main offensive weapon and starting a shaky freshman QB. Not to mention that the off-field issues GA's dealing with between AJ Green and a HC who is clearly on the hot seat in Athens.

 

[crimsonbleeder]

Jess,
You surprised me on this one. I thought you might pick Arkansas in a close one.
I just don't get our defense. Against Duke, and I was there, it looked like men playing boys. But somehow Duke was able to move through our line. At times the defense looked invincible, especially the one time Dareus broke through and absolutely smothered a much smaller running back. But most of the time our defensive line didn't look that much better than Duke's.

Instead of camparisons like defensive line vs. defensive line, etc., you had made the comparison on an individual basis, e.g. Marcel Dareus vs Arkansas' comparable position, I believe Alabama would win hands down. We simply have more and better athletes at just about every position but quarterback.

Translating individual talent on defense into a team effort may be Coach Saban's biggest challenge since coming to Alabama.

As always, thanks for another astute analysis of Saturday's gams.

At Duke, which was a good lesson, our defense got a little complacent given the 28 point lead, as well as got extremely gassed due to the TOP that Duke had due to our quick scoring in the second qtr. Fortunately, that problem ended with the paint-peeling dress down that the defense got at halftime, and of course 0 points were scored by them in the second half.

Our defense is MUCH better than we think, and our linebackers are better than Arky's. This won't even be close: 45-17....

 

[TideEngineer08]

Good analysis, Jess, as usual. However, I think you're giving Arkansas much more credit than they deserve considering the level of talent they've played against thus far.

They've played two of the worst teams in college football in Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe, and struggled mightily with ULM for three quarters. It took everything they had to beat an extremely undisciplined Georgia team playing without it's main offensive weapon and starting a shaky freshman QB. Not to mention that the off-field issues GA's dealing with between AJ Green and a HC who is clearly on the hot seat in Athens.

The thing about all that is, you can bet Arkansas will be more than ready to play come Saturday. No matter how they got there, the fact remains that they are 3-0 and ranked #10 in the country. They know if they can beat Alabama (and we all know they'd love that in and of itself) then they will have a top 5 ranking, an inside track to Atlanta, and be in prime position to play for a NC.

We will get their best effort, and their best effort is good enough to beat most any team with the offensive talent they have. They are at home.

I agree with JessN that this game may well be the biggest test our coaching staff will have all year in getting the team prepared.

 

[BAMARICH]

Good read and good call Jess. IMO, we only lose this game by suddenly being a team that turns the ball over three or more times while on offense... they've got no chance to stop our offense unless we stop ourselves.

 

[2003TIDE]

Good analysis, Jess, as usual. However, I think you're giving Arkansas much more credit than they deserve considering the level of talent they've played against thus far.

I suppose the same can be said about us. Duke is pretty bad, and can you really say who is better between UGA and PSU?

 

[crimsonbleeder]

I suppose the same can be said about us. Duke is pretty bad, and can you really say who is better between UGA and PSU?

Georgia is MUCH inferior to PSU this year. More like Mississippi State East...

 

[2003TIDE]

Georgia is MUCH inferior to PSU this year.

And you are basing that off what? Both offenses look equally inept, and neither defense looked particularly good against better competition.

 

[trenda]

I suppose the same can be said about us. Duke is pretty bad, and can you really say who is better between UGA and PSU?

I know this is subjective; but Sagarin ranks our schedule #60 compared to Arkansas at #133.

If you want to call SOS even between Bama and Arkansas, fine. I disagree; but let's go with that.

Which team on the schedule has Bama struggled with? None whatsoever.

Which team has Arkansas struggled with? ULM and Georgia.

I don't disagree with Jess' prediction. I just think he's giving the Hogs a lot more credit than I feel they deserve. They struggled on offense against ULM and the defense gave up 24 points to the only decent offense they've faced --- an offense missing their main weapon.

 

[TideEngineer08]

I don't disagree with Jess' prediction. I just think he's giving the Hogs a lot more credit than I feel they deserve. They struggled on offense against ULM and the defense gave up 24 points to the only decent offense they've faced --- an offense missing their main weapon.

These are good points. I'm hoping for a comfortable scoring margin. I don't trust a close game up there. Too many questionable calls in the past. However, some of those questionable calls actually happened in Bryant-Denny.

 

[aMAZEnFan]

I think the main thing that many are forgetting is our head coach is the world's best at motivating the team to improve in all areas week to week. As mentioned above, Coach Saban let the defense know how upset he was at their lack of intensity and effort even with the HUGE lead in the first half. I got to believe that our guys have marked this game as the real test just as Arky has. They want to knock off #1, but we want to silence the critics about our secondary and defense as a whole. Marcell will fire up his counterparts and they will bring heavy--I mean HEAVY pressure since Mallett has already stated that it wasn't an issue a year ago. (Cody, Rolando, Kareem, Javy and the rest of the players drafted/signed to NFL rosters are laughing at this one!) We will line up man to man and play an even more physically dominating game than they saw in Tuscaloosa. Did they forget the killer cut Maze made on them last year? Or the stiff arm shiver Julio gave them on a deep, but underthrow trick play? Maybe they forgot about the truck and pinball machine plays Trent delivered? Oh yeah, they shut down Mark statistically--think he forgot that? Donta is a classy guy, but did he forget the team that put him out for the year? We have just as much (if not more) motivation for this game as Arkansas. 41-17 BAMA!!!

 

[bamacon]

At Duke, which was a good lesson, our defense got a little complacent given the 28 point lead, as well as got extremely gassed due to the TOP that Duke had due to our quick scoring in the second qtr. Fortunately, that problem ended with the paint-peeling dress down that the defense got at halftime, and of course 0 points were scored by them in the second half.

There are still some fundamental concerns with the defense. Guys are out of position, not making the right read, and there has yet to be an effective-consistent pass rush. At times this looks like how the D played against Utah. I think Jess' point is that quality teams and quality players will exploit these holes. The talent is there, the experience just has to catch up. The sole job of the offense is to score enough to let the D grow into its ability. Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later.

Personally, I think we will see much more power running in this game because Mallet can't score from the sidelines, and Ark. isn't going to be able to do much to stop it.

 

[crimsonbleeder]

And you are basing that off what? Both offenses look equally inept, and neither defense looked particularly good against better competition.

Well, I've seen every game that both have played, and not to hijack the thread, but PSU is certainly more physical and on the upswing, with better coaching, while UGA is going down, and the coaching is highly suspect, for starters, without getting into a detailed analysis...

 

[BamaBuc]

I know this is subjective; but Sagarin ranks our schedule #60 compared to Arkansas at #133.

If you want to call SOS even between Bama and Arkansas, fine. I disagree; but let's go with that.

Which team on the schedule has Bama struggled with? None whatsoever.

Which team has Arkansas struggled with? ULM and Georgia.

I don't disagree with Jess' prediction. I just think he's giving the Hogs a lot more credit than I feel they deserve. They struggled on offense against ULM and the defense gave up 24 points to the only decent offense they've faced --- an offense missing their main weapon.

This early everything from the stats to the rankings are HIGHLY subjective!

They're gonna be sky-high and at home with their piggy fans, they'll be oinking and calling the pigs until they realize there's no need, so you can bet they'll be ready!

I personally think the team will need to get through the 1st quarter adrenalin flow, and then hit 'em hard in the gut in the 2nd qtr. In the 2nd half ya make 'em wonder why they ever wanted to play this game!

RTR

 

[bamanix]

this game is being billed as a championship quality game already by the media. arks has bought into it, with their upbeat comments, how this year they are much better. i dont see it. they are better with more experience with mallett, and a excellent receiving corp, but, i still see the same lack of a solid running game, a defensive team at a top level. i believe the are a one dimensional team, passing, and coach will have a scheme like had with the game last year. sure, we have a less experienced defense, but, i like the overall depth, and quickness this year. plus, our offense is better, and i have not seen anyone close to slowing our offense down, abeit, the talent level has not been sec level yet. big game on the road.

 

[92tide]

this game is being billed as a championship quality game already by the media. arks has bought into it, with their upbeat comments, how this year they are much better. i dont see it. they are better with more experience with mallett, and a excellent receiving corp, but, i still see the same lack of a solid running game, a defensive team at a top level. i believe the are a one dimensional team, passing, and coach will have a scheme like had with the game last year. sure, we have a less experienced defense, but, i like the overall depth, and quickness this year. plus, our offense is better, and i have not seen anyone close to slowing our offense down, abeit, the talent level has not been sec level yet. big game on the road.

ill take the process over emotion every time. 8-9 times out of 10 it'll come out on top

 

[BamaMoon]

I'm no defensive expert, but I'm wondering since we've played three games and have dominated them from opening kickoff, have we really seen CNS unleash his devious defensive designs on a team we've played so far???

If not, I figure this is the time!

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

Wasn't Mark Ingram coming off injury last year? I'm not quite sure, but I'm sure enough.

 

[Probius]

Arky better linebackers than Bama? You must be joking.