The game from a Hog's perspective

[HogNtheRock]

One thing is known for sure!

It Doesn't do any good to go back and forth with any SEC fans about stats and who's are better. Crooked numbers can be twisted to fit anyone's perception! State Facts and move on!

1.-First fact Arkansas Has a very-very good Offense. Can they be stopped, opinion is yes, if you have the defensive talent, does anyone really doubt Bama's Defensive Talent!
2.-Second fact - Arkansas needs a Defense. (If two players are going to make that much difference, your still in trouble!)
3.-Third fact - Alabama has a very very very good Defense! (If we lose two players CNS will just plug in another soon to be all-SEC player, remember this is Defense we are talking about!) Can they be pushed around, not likely, although anything is possible!
4.-Fourth fact - Alabama has one of the best running games in the country, it all starts up front with that NEW O-Line, but also includes the threat of a passing game which I'm sure no-one from hog country will want to acknowledge! Just go talk to Va. Tech, while I move on! Thank You!

I think Saturday will be a tell all for both teams. It's pointless to argue stats at this point. Will see what Mallet can do against arguably the best defense in the SEC, and what McElroy can do in his first big SEC game.

 

[rgw]

And I'm in no way taking away anything from Arkansas, just the facts: Alabama is likely the best defense they will see arguably outside of Florida and conversely they are likely the most explosive offense we'll see too. When you consider this is Mallet's first SEC road game, his third start for the Hogs, and against a defense that is known to be hell on earth for young QBs with it's multiple fronts and blitz packages...I think you can expect Arkansas to perhaps not move as easily as they did against a UGA defense that seems to only provide big hits after the whistle (lots of boneheaded penalties the last few years) and is pretty much wearing the soft label at this point under Willie Martinez.

So that makes my key matchup all the more important: Alabama should be able to make yards on the ground against that small front and McElroy has proven to find the open guy in the passing game (and Arkansas' pass defense looks horrible). I only see Alabama losing this game with a combination of offensive miscues and debilitating penalties, several major coverage breakdowns in the secondary, and multiple errors in the special teams game. Basically, Alabama bumbling around in all three phases so that Arkansas' single solid phase (offense) can win the game for them. If Alabama protects the ball, controls the clock, and pressure Mallet just enough...I think Alabama will win.

 

[RT3413]

The thing about Arkansas-Alabama is the game is always closer than the talent levels or previous performances indicate it should be. Last year's blow out game was some what of an aberration (albeit a welcome one) and I think we'll see a return to normal.

Mallet vs McElroy - I'd take either of them. All due respect to Snead and Tebow I think they're the top two in the SEC right now... may the best man win.

I think the big difference this week, if there is one, is the depth of our RB's. Our 3rd string (Grant) would be at worst 2nd at Arkansas and either Ingram or Upchurch would start. Richardson is unbelievable at 4th string... in other words we can rotate in 3 players at RB that could start at for the other guys... that's going to mean a lot of wear and tear on the front 7. Va Tech is one of the best conditioned teams I've seen in a long time and by the end of that game they were just worn down. If we can control the clock I think the game might return to blowout levels but I would put this one as a 7-point Bama win....

 

[HogNtheRock]

Don't get me wrong Bama fans, I'm no delusional homer, there has to be a lot of intangibles to occur for Arkansas to win this game. But as we have seen there is no gimme's in the SEC.

 

[Tide Warrior]

As others have said anything can happen and that is what makes the SEC fun every week to watch. Arkansas I think is on their way back but this weekend might be a big showing for us in the SEC.

 

[BAMA504]

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

Nope you guys should load the box with 9-10 guys G Mac is a terrible QB just pass that on to the arky coaching staff no need to worry stop our run and we are done...........

 

[Alasippi]

Guys forgive me for changing the flow, but is the CBS game? I haven't heard way down here in the land of no media.

sip

 

[HogNtheRock]

The thing about Arkansas-Alabama is the game is always closer than the talent levels or previous performances indicate it should be. Last year's blow out game was some what of an aberration (albeit a welcome one) and I think we'll see a return to normal.

Mallet vs McElroy - I'd take either of them. All due respect to Snead and Tebow I think they're the top two in the SEC right now... may the best man win.

I think the big difference this week, if there is one, is the depth of our RB's. Our 3rd string (Grant) would be at worst 2nd at Arkansas and either Ingram or Upchurch would start. Richardson is unbelievable at 4th string... in other words we can rotate in 3 players at RB that could start at for the other guys... that's going to mean a lot of wear and tear on the front 7. Va Tech is one of the best conditioned teams I've seen in a long time and by the end of that game they were just worn down. If we can control the clock I think the game might return to blowout levels but I would put this one as a 7-point Bama win....

Good point. This game is always a good one.

I wouldn't count out Mr. Smith at Arkansas, he was arguably the best RB in the SEC last year, and Dennis Johnson is no scrub either, see LSU v Arkansas 2008. Nonetheless, Bama is loaded at tailback with speedy backs and bruisers. This one should be interesting.

 

[HogNtheRock]

Guys forgive me for changing the flow, but is the CBS game? I haven't heard way down here in the land of no media.

sip

Yes. 2:30 CT CBS

 

[rgw]

Arkansas is probably the most dangerous of what you could call the "second-tier teams" in the SEC. They probably aren't as three-phase complete/balanced as Alabama, LSU, and Florida but if those teams play poorly in two phases the day they play Arkansas...well Arkansas' explosive offensive "phase" can make the upset. You can't be worried about the tailgate and what bar to visit after game, they are a team that requires top focus on offense and defense: you are going to have to lockdown on D and the offense CANNOT give them possessions on the short field or defensive scores because that is icing on the cake for this team.

 

[Alasippi]

Yes. 2:30 CT CBS

Thanks!

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Hog, I think the post above that you are treating this as a QB battle is apropos. It's not that at all. If the question is can Mallet, plus your best other 21 players beat McElroy and our 21 best players, the answer is "very probably not." (To simplify, we won't get into Bama's superior depth.) All three of our opponents have gone into the game with "make the QB beat us." And he's done it. He doesn't have to be better than Mallet. He just has to make our total O&D be better than your O&D. If he does that, and we don't self-destruct on ST and penalties, then we win. You seem to dismiss GMac as a factor. You might take a look at this article on his performance at the Manning Camp (and notice who else was there). Tuberville did attend and in, a later interview, said something to the effect that the rest of the SEC was going to be shocked... LINK

 

[BAMA504]

I think Saturday will be a tell all for both teams. It's pointless to argue stats at this point. Will see what Mallet can do against arguably the best defense in the SEC, and what McElroy can do in his first big SEC game.

Who's argueing???????? We lead in almost every category but you guys got a taste of it last year only this year I think we might be a better with an improved pass rush and more speed ..........

 

[UAME]

Arkansas deserves respect for their proven power with their offensive system. The problem is that they are at a disadvantage in talent and experience at most positions. No deep X's and O's analysis is necessary in most of these type games. Mallet (facing his toughest opponent's D of the year) on the road in BDS vs. McElroy facing an average SEC defense (after performing brilliantly against a better D at a neutral site.)

Advantage: Crimson Tide


However, in the spirit of full disclosure: Our defensive secondary is largely untested, and the Hogs have the offensive coaching staff that will try to expose and exploit weaknesses that most Bama fans suspect may be there. This is the perfect game in the progression of Bama's season. After Saturday, we will know much more about this team and if we are truly a contender for the championship in '09.

 

[mittman]

We had three (beaten to death) question marks QB, OL, S starting this season:

I think 1 and 2 have been answered in a very positive way. We have had some very good play out of Woodall and Barron, but we have also had breakdowns, missed assignments and some bad angles in every game. We obviously miss Rashad. This game, if nothing else, will definantly let us know where we stand with our DBs.

 

[crimson_blood]

Hog, thanks for coming over and discussing Saturday's game. I always enjoy knowledgeable fans from opposing schools and it really adds to the discussion over here. No doubt you guys have an outstanding offensive football team and a very good QB in Mallett. Petrino is one of the better offensive minds in the country. That being said, if Bama takes care of the ball, I think we win.

“They’re a good offense and they score a lot of points,” Tide junior linebacker Rolando McClain said. “But they haven’t played us.”

And one more thing. I was sitting in the Ga Dome during the Bama-VT game...and I wasn't too bullish about McElroy after he started 2-12 against a really tough defense. But what I saw the remainder of that game really impressed me - the kid has guts, he's a gamer, he's smart, he's a leader, and he's extremely tough. And he has a very good arm. He took an absolute pounding in the VT game and bounced right back up and made some very good throws. McElroy is the real deal and he proved it in the 2nd half of that VT game. I think he continues his torrid streak this week against a very suspect Arky defense.

 

[Nolan]

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 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.

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, HNR. During my time in the Army I've had two dear friends that were Razorback fans. In fact, one of them is bound for Italy next week, but not before he joins me Saturday morning for this game.

You make good points - anything can happen in the SEC. That's why, even as a fan, I give a dose of respect to every team we play in conference. It has no bearing on the game, but that's just my style of being a fan. Furthermore, after the Sugar Bowl, I don't gloss over any opponent that's known for chucking the ball, scoring points, and doing so quickly.

Your vertical passing game and the explosive plays it can create, whether by reception or penalty, bothers me. The idea of Mallett sitting back there for 4-5 seconds, surveying the field, bothers me too.

But there's a lot to like about our Alabama team. The defense is stout - and we aren't even firing on all cylinders, yet. We have a game breaker in Javy anytime he returns a kick or punt. And our offense - well, this is what has us Tidefans salivating - is balanced and pretty explosive itself. Our OL clearly has that lunch pail mentality, the backs are fast/bruising/deep, receivers opposite Julio are stepping up everywhere, and our QB spreads the ball around, with poise and accuracy.

Finally, you can bet BDS is gonna be very loud and the fans will affect the game - just the way Coach has asked us to be.

I know games aren't played on paper. But looking at these factors, without my Crimson glasses, I just don't see Bama losing at home if we protect the ball, avoid special teams gaffes, and the defense plays remotely like it can.

 

[bamar]

my take on the game is arks is not much different than last year as far as defense, that i can see. we really destroyed arks last year with basically a running game, and a game manager qb. i did not see a lot of change in their defense saturday night. i will agree that mallett is a much better qb than dick was, but, he has not been tested much, by any defense. and you cant call georgias defense a tested defense. he is big, and not mobile, he makes a great target for a front seven like bamas. agreed, if he gets the protection thru out the game he can hurt you. will he have the time to look for deep patterns consistently, i doubt it. he does not yet look like a qb that has a lot of patience. he will get better each game, and i am glad we are playing him early in the season.

 

[BamaBuc]

Don't get me wrong Bama fans, I'm no delusional homer, there has to be a lot of intangibles to occur for Arkansas to win this game. But as we have seen there is no gimme's in the SEC.

That I'll AGREE with! Glad this isn't the week of Vandy or Miss. St. Ummmmm!
oops - we don't do Vandy this year! Well at least the DB's will get to go against a decent passing game before the SECCG!:cool2:

 

[jps1983]

This'll be a good game for our DBs to get some work against a good passing team. I fully expect Bama to win by 2 TDs, mainly b/c of Ark's D, but I wouldn't be shocked if Ark puts up more yards and points on us than any team we've played this year.