News Article: Arkansas preview: Hogs' offense can match Tide blow for blow

[CrimsonEyeshade]

This one scares me, too. Arkansas is the first complete offense we've played.

We'll get a fuller sense of the progress we've made in four areas of concern coming into the season: our pass rush; the coverage of our linebackers; the play of our corners, and the decision-making of our safeties.

We've been impressive so far, sure. But our one true Division I opponent had extreme offensive limitations that we were able to exploit.

Certainly, we should be able to move the ball. Since he is recruiting better athletes, Petrino seems well ahead of schedule in building the same abysmal defense he had at Louisville.

Still, if we hand them a short field or a couple of big plays, this one could be more interesting than I care to endure.

 

[CrimsonBleedRed]

I am usually concerned about about any game before game time, and this game is no different. But lets face facts, Arksansas has played Missouri State, and GA. Missouri State is ranked 47th in 1 AA. Say what you want bout North Texas and FIU but at least both are in Division 1A. On to GA, i was going to say something bad about GA's defense, but apparently coaches thought enough about certain players on GA's defense to elected them on the All-SEC teams. GA sent 5 defensive players to the ALL-SEC preseason teams (Curran, Atkins, Miller, Owens and Jones). So either A: Arkansas offense is better then most think, B: Arkansas caught GA defense napping for most of the game, C: GA defensive players are not as good as the preseason rankings suggest they are or D: GA's coaching staff is struggling to find the right schemes, considering their defense has giving up 721 yards through the air, between the USCeast and Arkansas games.

So I'm thinking this game is a bigger test for Arkansas then it is for Bama. I'm not saying this game isn't a test (every game is a test), I just think we know what Bama is and what they will do, Arkansas we don't really know who they are, giving they've racked up their points against a 1 AA team and a GA defense that gave up a total of 427 yards to SOUTH CAROLINA of all teams. This is not a shot at Arkansas, but I can see this game being a frustrating game for the piggies. They will get their points but in garbage time. You can't really be impressed with Arkansas offense given their opponents: Missouri State and GA team that gave up over 400 yards to South Carolina.

The thing that will keep Arkansas from pulling the oupset is this thing we call defense. Even when they get their two best players back, their defense is still mediocre at best. Arkansas will keep uncomfortably close for awhile, but ultimately, Alabama's defense is going to be too much for that offense to handle.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Good preview as usual. One additional thing that I believe essential to giving a prediction is how the game starts. IF we get out in front quickly, it will a LONG day for Arkansas because our defense will not have to expect any runs. In that kind of scenario, I'd look for us to score 50+ and Arky in the high 20's.

For some reason, I keep remembering the Florida game when they came to BDS with a potent offense... but yet got hammered because of the start. FWIW, I'll go with that scenario Saturday primarily because I don't think they've played a good defense yet... and we're far above "good."

I was thinking exactly the same thing. But then I stopped and reminded myself of the Sugar Bowl, when Utah (another potent offense) jumped out in front early and it was Bama playing catch up. Utah's defense wouldn't hold water against most SEC teams, but when your opponent becomes predictable, any defense looks good.

What worries me is that Arkansas may get an early score on a turnover or a return, and jump out to a 10-14 point lead early. At that point, Petrino opens up the playbook and we're in a shootout.

God help us if it comes down to a FG or XP late in the 4th, or overtime...

 

[Aries]

Good read with one big exception-Ark has not faced a D like the one Bama will show on Sat. Lets see how good Mallet is when he's up against a top D.

Ark cannot stop the run if their life depended on it.

Bama wins this one by 14 or more.

 

[Luvubama]

Will be interesting to see how Mallet does as he's fighting for his life in the backfield. I think we're going to see a really inspired D tomorrow and the sack score will go up!

 

[bama4747]

one more thing that no one is mentioning with regards to the weather. if it is wet and/or raining... there is one critical element that will work heavily against arkansas; timing! if you watch a lot of mallets throws, they rely a lot on timing (as does any passing game really), but with the field - the receivers will be slowed just a tad, cautious just a tad, etc. This along with the pressure in his face leads to incompletions!

Bama47