The game from a Hog's perspective

[HogNtheRock]

I've been reading the board, and have come to the consensus that all of you agree that Arkansas = Good Offense, Bad D. It's hard not to disagree with you on that one.

I think one thing that most Bama fans are overlooking is the absence of our best defensive player, Jerry Franklin. Up until he was ejected in the second quarter, Arkansas had held its own. Jerry is the core of this defense, and he is involved in every set and play calling.

Now with that being said, our defense is still suspect at best, but with Franklin back in and Forte (All-SEC freshman safety) being inserted back in, I think the defense will be much improved come Saturday.

I personally think Bama is the best team in the country with the best defense, but they haven't faced an offense like this yet. If Arkansas can keep Bama off balance with Michael Smith having some success on the ground I think this could be the key to a close game, if not a W.

Defensively Arkansas has to contain your potent run game, and force McElroy to make some big plays in the air.

I know these are big if's, and Bama is the better team, but it is the SEC and anything can happen. Good Luck Saturday.

 

[theBIGyowski]

If Arkansas can find a way to beat Alabama with quick passes...they can keep the game close. The advantage though for Alabama is that there is a great combination of talent and coaching. We were obviously more talented than FIU...we were just outcoached some in the first half. After our coaches made adjustments the game was a blowout and they couldn't move an inch on our defense. So Arkansas' best bet is to come in with a stellar game plan and try to get up early. If Alabama has shown anything this season...it is that the staff knows how to adjust at halftime and the team knows how to lay down the hammer in the second half.

 

[HogNtheRock]

If Arkansas can find a way to beat Alabama with quick passes...they can keep the game close. The advantage though for Alabama is that there is a great combination of talent and coaching. We were obviously more talented than FIU...we were just outcoached some in the first half. After our coaches made adjustments the game was a blowout and they couldn't move an inch on our defense. So Arkansas' best bet is to come in with a stellar game plan and try to get up early. If Alabama has shown anything this season...it is that the staff knows how to adjust at halftime and the team knows how to lay down the hammer in the second half.

Agreed. Arkansas, honestly, beat itself in the second quarter. They were off to a fast start, had Georgia on the ropes with a turnover and a chance to blow it open. Then, bam, Franklin gets ejected we back ourselves up 30 yards from midfield, and give GA the ball back and they score.

Fast start and a balanced offensive game will keep it close.

 

[IHateUT]

First off, welcome to the board!

I think Bama's gameplan will be ball control and keeping Arky's offense off the field. We can talk about how good the Hogs offense can be - and I know Bama's coaching staff willl agree that they are strong. But you can't be a good offense if you can't get on the field.

I think Bama establishes the run and controls the clock to keep Arky's offense off the field. See: Colts @ Dolphins last night, though with a much different outcome.

 

[Bodhisattva]

I've been reading the board, and have come to the consensus that all of you agree that Arkansas = Good Offense, Bad D. It's hard not to disagree with you on that one.

I think one thing that most Bama fans are overlooking is the absence of our best defensive player, Jerry Franklin. Up until he was ejected in the second quarter, Arkansas had held its own. Jerry is the core of this defense, and he is involved in every set and play calling.

Now with that being said, our defense is still suspect at best, but with Franklin back in and Forte (All-SEC freshman safety) being inserted back in, I think the defense will be much improved come Saturday.

I personally think Bama is the best team in the country with the best defense, but they haven't faced an offense like this yet. If Arkansas can keep Bama off balance with Michael Smith having some success on the ground I think this could be the key to a close game, if not a W.

Defensively Arkansas has to contain your potent run game, and force McElroy to make some big plays in the air.

I know these are big if's, and Bama is the better team, but it is the SEC and anything can happen. Good Luck Saturday.

Welcome to Tidefans. I've seen very little of Arkansas thus far. What kind of passing game to you guys have? Is it more West Coast, ball control? Or is it more downfield, big play oriented?

 

[HogNtheRock]

First off, welcome to the board!

I think Bama's gameplan will be ball control and keeping Arky's offense off the field. We can talk about how good the Hogs offense can be - and I know Bama's coaching staff willl agree that they are strong. But you can't be a good offense if you can't get on the field.

I think Bama establishes the run and controls the clock to keep Arky's offense off the field. See: Colts @ Dolphins last night, though with a much different outcome.

Obviously a good strategy, but besides a blown assignment on an 80 yard run, Arkansas held Georgia's run game in check for most of the game.

My question is can McElroy make the big plays through the air if Bama can't establish the run? I honestly don't know.

 

[HogNtheRock]

Welcome to Tidefans. I've seen very little of Arkansas thus far. What kind of passing game to you guys have? Is it more West Coast, ball control? Or is it more downfield, big play oriented?

I would say its right in between, we have big play potential with Mallets arm and fast receivers, but can keep it short with DJ Williams and other possession receivers like Lucas Miller, who will be back this week.

 

[Alasippi]

I've been reading the board, and have come to the consensus that all of you agree that Arkansas = Good Offense, Bad D. It's hard not to disagree with you on that one.

I think one thing that most Bama fans are overlooking is the absence of our best defensive player, Jerry Franklin. Up until he was ejected in the second quarter, Arkansas had held its own. Jerry is the core of this defense, and he is involved in every set and play calling.

Now with that being said, our defense is still suspect at best, but with Franklin back in and Forte (All-SEC freshman safety) being inserted back in, I think the defense will be much improved come Saturday.

I personally think Bama is the best team in the country with the best defense, but they haven't faced an offense like this yet. If Arkansas can keep Bama off balance with Michael Smith having some success on the ground I think this could be the key to a close game, if not a W.

Defensively Arkansas has to contain your potent run game, and force McElroy to make some big plays in the air.

I know these are big if's, and Bama is the better team, but it is the SEC and anything can happen. Good Luck Saturday.

I agree with a lot of your post but disagree in a big way on one point.
If you guys stack the box to stop the run and "force Mcelroy to make some big plays in the air" he'll throw for about five hundred yards and five or six touchdowns.
This isn't the one dimensional Bama team from a year ago. We may be the most balanced offense in the country and Mcelroy is one of the primary reasons. He's more than capable of making big plays through the air and we've got the receivers to make those big plays as well.
Good luck though.

alasippi

 

[deboard]

Mmm... I love bacon.

 

[HogNtheRock]

I agree with a lot of your post but disagree in a big way on one point.
If you guys stack the box to stop the run and "force Mcelroy to make some big plays in the air" he'll throw for about five hundred yards and five or six touchdowns.
This isn't the one dimensional Bama team from a year ago. We may be the most balanced offense in the country and Mcelroy is one of the primary reasons. He's more than capable of making big plays through the air and we've got the receivers to make those big plays as well.
Good luck though.

alasippi

Yeah that was my question. I haven't gotten to watch McElroy much yet and wasn't sure what kind of arm he had. I guess we'll just have to see, no doubt you have the receivers.

 

[D4bama]

I agree with a lot of your post but disagree in a big way on one point.
If you guys stack the box to stop the run and "force Mcelroy to make some big plays in the air" he'll throw for about five hundred yards and five or six touchdowns.
This isn't the one dimensional Bama team from a year ago. We may be the most balanced offense in the country and Mcelroy is one of the primary reasons. He's more than capable of making big plays through the air and we've got the receivers to make those big plays as well.
Good luck though.

alasippi

In agreement. One factor no one has mentioned is the conditioning of 'Bama. IMO we have one of the best conditioned teams in college football. We simply wear 'em out! :biggrin2:

 

[HogNtheRock]

In agreement. One factor no one has mentioned is the conditioning of 'Bama. IMO we have one of the best conditioned teams in college football. We simply wear 'em out! :biggrin2:

It's definitely going to take some luck for an Arkansas W, but I don't think our defense will be as bad come Saturday. UGA was our first big test, and I think Joe Cox is a lot better than most people give him credit for. I think Saturday will be fun to watch, and a lot closer game than most Bama fans think.

 

[bmcklv]

Obviously a good strategy, but besides a blown assignment on an 80 yard run, Arkansas held Georgia's run game in check for most of the game.

My question is can McElroy make the big plays through the air if Bama can't establish the run? I honestly don't know.

Georgia doesn't have Mark Ingram; Trent Richardson; Roy Upchurch; and Terry Grant in their backfield, and yes GMAC can make plays with his arm. Since the first half of the first game, he has been just as effective as Mallett. 9-12 (75%) second half VA Tech game, 18-24 (75%) FIU game, and 13-15 (87%) UNT game.

 

[Alasippi]

Yeah that was my question. I haven't gotten to watch McElroy much yet and wasn't sure what kind of arm he had. I guess we'll just have to see, no doubt you have the receivers.

Since the fourth quarter of the Va. Tech game Mcelroy is 44-57 For 502 yards-4TD's-No ints completing passes to eleven different receivers. He's as fine a passer as any QB in the conference with the probable exception of Mallet who is phenomenal.

 

[HogNtheRock]

Georgia doesn't have Mark Ingram; Trent Richardson; Roy Upchurch; and Terry Grant in their backfield, and yes GMAC can make plays with his arm. Since the first half of the first game, he has been just as effective as Mallett. 9-12 (75%) second half VA Tech game, 18-24 (75%) FIU game, and 13-15 (87%) UNT game.

I wouldn't say that's just as effective as Mallet considering he's thrown twice as much as McElroy has, and besides VaTech, UNT and FIU aren't exactly bell ringers. Mallet hasn't thrown an INT yet, and torched an SEC defense for over 400 yards and 5 td's.

 

[REBELZED]

I wouldn't say that's just as effective as Mallet considering he's thrown twice as much as McElroy has, and besides VaTech, UNT and FIU aren't exactly bell ringers. Mallet hasn't thrown an INT yet, and torched an SEC defense for over 400 yards and 5 td's.

I would take VaTech's defense over UGA's any day of the week and twice on Sundays. SOUTH CAROLINA torched UGA's defense for cripes sake.

 

[bmcklv]

I wouldn't say that's just as effective as Mallet considering he's thrown twice as much as McElroy has, and besides VaTech, UNT and FIU aren't exactly bell ringers. Mallet hasn't thrown an INT yet, and torched an SEC defense for over 400 yards and 5 td's.

We ain't Georgia, we don't have to throw the ball every down because we can run it on ANYBODY, and Va Tech is better defensively than GA.

 

[HogNtheRock]

No doubt UGA's defense isn't what it has been, but comparing Mallet's numbers to McElroy is like apple's to oranges. What I'm saying is if Arkansas wants to have a chance, they have to shut down the run and force McElroy to make big plays, outside of the VaTech game, he hasn't had to do that.

 

[REBELZED]

No doubt UGA's defense isn't what it has been, but comparing Mallet's numbers to McElroy is like apple's to oranges. What I'm saying is if Arkansas wants to have a chance, they have to shut down the run and force McElroy to make big plays, outside of the VaTech game, he hasn't had to do that.

Not trying to be contrary here, but you're saying outside of McElroy coming through in his FIRST START against one of the best defenses in the COUNTRY that loaded up on the run and doubled Julio and forced him to make plays through the air, he hasn't proven ANYTHING yet.

Seems a little silly to me. IMO, the deciding factor in this game is how much our D can contain your passing game. Our QB/O will move the ball on your D.

 

[NYBamaFan]

No doubt UGA's defense isn't what it has been, but comparing Mallet's numbers to McElroy is like apple's to oranges. What I'm saying is if Arkansas wants to have a chance, they have to shut down the run and force McElroy to make big plays, outside of the VaTech game, he hasn't had to do that.

V Tech has one of the best defenses in the country. Far, far better than GA. McElroy is the real deal, and he has proven it under fire.

Mallett has not - yet. He is the unproven QB in this game in that he has not had to pass with linemen and the likes of Hightower and McClain in his face all day. Heck, I am glad that GMac hasn't had to face that firestorm.

Mallett may turn out to be as good as he has looked against air, he may not. We find out this weekend. But I wouldn't want to be in his shoes... :eek2: