Thread on Arkansas board about the upcoming Bama matchup

[TideEngineer08]

It's probably part of the conspiracy theories from last year. I remember several games against Arkansas where we failed to beat the refs or is it a rule that they get 12 defenders on third down?

Exactly. Whether it was 12 men on the field, a trapped ball that got called a TD, or a phantom pass interference, Arkansas has about 3 wins over Alabama that were a direct result of poor officiating.

 

[jps1983]

You can't shut down our run this year. Load the box. Do whatever you want. We have the best run-blocking line in CFB and the best two running backs.

I think if a team really committed to stopping our running game, they could (like AU loading 9 in the box last year). However, this year, our passing game is much more potent. I'd love to see us come out in a shotgun formation with our 3 WRs and TR and MI splitting GMac...we could still run draws, screens to either side of the formation; send the backs out in motion (thinking of TR on a wheel route matched up against a LB makes me drool).

 

[rgw]

Didn't Arkansas sell out on the run last year and McElroy had one of his best passing days of his career?

Arkansas still seems prone to giving up the big play...I don't know if daring McElroy to beat them is a great idea.

 

[MOAN]

We've had five, they've had six.

Bama has had four lost fumbles and one INT, Arky has had three of each.

Closer than I thought then. But 2 came from a third string running back way after the game was in hand.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Closer than I thought then. But 2 came from a third string running back way after the game was in hand.

Well, iirc, two of Mallet's INTs have been ones that bounced out of the receiver's hands.

We have to have better ball control, no doubt.

 

[Airborne Tider]

I'm really curious if that is the case. Thus far we haven't had an opponent totally sell out to stop the run. Conventional wisdom is always that even the best offenses will struggle to run consistently against 9 men in the box. However, if anyone can do it I would expect Ingram/Richardson to be able to. I doubt Arkansas will stack the line this year though since it didn't really work for them last year.

Is the wildcat an answer for stacking the box? You do gain an extra blocker by removing the QB.

I'm pretty sure Duke tried that early.

 

[MOAN]

Well, iirc, two of Mallet's INTs have been ones that bounced out of the receiver's hands.

We have to have better ball control, no doubt.

Yeah I agree. I highly doubt Lacy will get in the game this week though unless its a blow out. Was one of our fumbles a fumbled punt that we lost?

 

[REBELZED]

ROFL! Here's a classic!

Alabama is going to eat our children.


35-12 Bama.

Then we will teach our children to be NINJA WARRIORS...

If nothing else, those Hog fans have a good sense of humor

 

[RTR91]

Closer than I thought then. But 2 came from a third string running back way after the game was in hand.

And another fumble is from either Lester or Kirkpatrick.

Let them stack the box. I would love to see one of our TE's against a safety or LB. If they decide to load the box, I would expect Julio will line up at TE. That would be a major mismatch.

 

[WMack4Bama]

I'm hearing a lot about confidence this season on their team, whereas it was missing last season. ***ssiiiighh***...If I've said it once, I've said it a million time, my main man Mike Tyson said it best:

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth."

 

[bamacon]

Arkansas will not be able to match Bama score for score. I know that is what "the experts" seem to think will happen, but their defense is still not ready for the top tier of the SEC. GMAC will shred their secondary if given enough time and their front didn't look much improved to me. We'll see but I fully expect Bama to dominate the hogs.

 

[MOAN]

And another fumble is from either Lester or Kirkpatrick.

Let them stack the box. I would love to see one of our TE's against a safety or LB. If they decide to load the box, I would expect Julio will line up at TE. That would be a major mismatch.

Yeah I remember that was after a long fumble recovery by the defense against P. ST. which was a missed call.

 

[crimsonaudio]

And another fumble is from either Lester or Kirkpatrick.

Actually, fumbles from both on that one, though only Dre's counts as a fumble lost.

 

[RTR91]

Actually, fumbles from both on that one, though only Dre's counts as a fumble lost.

Yea, I was only including the fumble lost. I don't see how Dre gets the fumble lost. If he had position of the ball, the ground would have caused his fumble. Technically, Lester would have the lost fumble, correct?

 

[Crimson Cat]

To the point about who have we played, I think it's a situation where most teams you play this early in the season will not be the same team that they are at the end of the season. I mean, really, we're only 3 weeks into the season. Right now all we have is speculation and hyperbole.

That being said, San Jose St. and Duke aren't world beaters, and perhaps Penn St. isn't as strong as their pre-season ranking may have shown. But, to be fair, beating Tennessee Tech, La. Monroe, and a UGA team without its best player (50% of its offense) is really nothing to pound your chest TOO hard about.

So if Arkansas is as good as advertised, then this should be the first true test for both teams.

Very good points...I'd say PSU and UGA are about even...UGA is more hype than substance and everybody knows it; Plus Arky had to score last minute to beat them, while Bama handled PSU comfortably & put it on cruise in that game, it was never in doubt.
I'd say Bama and Arky have played equivalent teams so far. Arky has struggled in moments of their games. If I remember correctly, their first game of the season was quite shaky in the first half.
But you're right, I think it will be a nice measuring stick for both teams this weekend.

 

[DrollTide]

Mike Tyson said it best:

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth."

Thanks! A very timely reminder. Although, he probably said "mouf".

 

[Jessica4Bama]

Are they really blaming the refs for last year's beat down?

 

[CrimsonDollar]

Are they really blaming the refs for last year's beat down?

Yeah, It was the back judge who broke down Arkansas' offensive line and slung Mallett around like a toddler.

 

[CajunCrimson]

Yeah, It was the back judge who broke down Arkansas' offensive line and slung Mallett around like a toddler.

Maybe they should have called a few more "Abusing their Defense" penalties.

Yet, they didn't get a flag on the shredding of Hightower's knee........

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Exactly. I hope they do sell out to stop the run. For one, they won't be able to. Our run game is better than last year. And once they do load 9 in the box Julio, Maze, and Hanks will have field days. There is literally no feasible way in my mind that Arkansas can stop our offense. I'm not sure any defense in college football can.

Agreed. I look at this game this way, which team do you think has a better shot at stopping the other on a consistent basis? In my mind the answer is quite clear, in spite of our "growing pains" on that side of the ball I still believe our defense is capable of stopping the Hogs more than their defense (regardless of how much they've improved from last year) is at stopping us. I fully expect them to put some points on the board but as long as we don't turn the ball over a bunch of times and basically stop ourselves, I don't see them scoring enough to beat us.