TIDE REPORT: Saban’s Comments On ‘Hey Coach’

Nick Saban wants his Alabama team still happy when the season’s over, not just all aglow after one big win. Hopefully, this game doesn’t get moved.

Auburn is still the biggest mystery in all of college football.

But it wasn’t as embarrassing as Saturday night. It would truly be a monumental upset and an ostrich-sized feature in every Hog Hat.

Of course, an Arkansas victory appears unlikely.

Alabama lost to Ole Miss, 43-37, two weeks ago, but rebounded with a 38-10 victory at unbeaten Georgia on Saturday.

MATCHUP OF THE WEEK: Arkansas RB Alex Collins vs. Alabama run defense: Collins has rushed for at least 150 yards in each of his last three games. “I trust the coaches and what they’re going to call”.

These kinds of techniques give Arkansas the type of edge they need in order to do battle in the trenches with a team like Alabama. The Tide’s linebackers are powerful, rangy and quick.

Offensively, the Crimson Tide stuck to their knitting and didn’t try to get cute, bowling over the Bulldogs with a power-running assault led by Derrick Henry’s 148-yard, 1-touchdown performance. On the other hand, Florida quarterback Will Grier won’t complete 83 percent of his passes as he did vs. Ole Miss. He had five catches for 110 yards in the Razorbacks’ win over Tennessee last week. The deflated looks throughout Bryant-Denny Stadium and the Crimson Tide sideline said more about what was to come in the polls the next day than anyone could have predicted. The margin of error may be practically nonexistent. Take the Hogs and the points.

Last year’s dominating defenses made it virtually a running game standoff when Alabama edged Arkansas by one point in Fayetteville. On any given Saturday, if you don’t show up, you could very well take a loss.

The Razorbacks can’t have turnovers, period. Another loss at Tennessee would be more devastating.

The Vols will also have to do a better job of making Georgia defend the entire field in the passing game.

The Razorbacks need to play ahead if at all possible.

On a dreary Saturday between the hedges, the No. 8 Bulldogs added to their reputation for flopping in big games. And if they get what they expect, Chubb will break Walker’s record consecutive 100-yard games streak at the place Walker introduced himself to world by running over safety Bill Bates.

Arkansas is 2-3 overall, 1-1 in the SEC, 2-3 against the spread and 4-1 with the under.

The Razorbacks are known for having the largest offensive line in all of football, the NFL included. He makes plays with his feet. “It would’ve been great to run the ball because things were actually starting to open up”. They’re angry, frustrated and they could either beat the Bulldogs or roll over and play dead.

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer did not disagree. “The key to me is Arkansas’ front seven vs. this running game”. Use that success to fool A&M with play-action, of course.

Arkansas may be able to make the game close for a half, but Alabama is eventually going to be too much on both sides of the ball.

Playing on a continuum. Tennessee’s Alvin Kamara is averaging 6.5 yards per carry, is second on the team in receptions (10) and has returned a punt for a touchdown; another punt return for a score last week was nullified by a penalty.2. It is crucial to get the ball downfield a few. He can put his shoulder down.