LSU Tigers vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
The Razorbacks had serious tackling deficiencies last week against Ole Miss, something both Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith acknowledged. All of us were elated to have gotten a win in Oxford. We’ve never been more happy to be wrong.
“I would win”, Tomlinson said.
“… We have to come together and stay as hungry as we were when we were 7-0”. Which is fine with us.
But in all seriousness, you should let us know if you agree or disagree with these predictions in the comments, or on our Facebook and twitter pages. It’s what they’re there for. Two losses make that much difference in college football.
LSU running back Leonard Fournette leads all FBS players in rushing yards per game and total rushing yards. Arkansas is last in the SEC in both scoring defense with 29.4 points allowed a game (86th nationally) and pass defense with 283.6 yards allowed a game (114th nationally). Arkansas’ front seven is not Alabama’s and the LSU offensive line is going to open up huge holes for Fournette to run through.
EB: The LSU defense is good, but doesn’t appear to be up to recent-years’ standards at 26th in the nation.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Arkansas Fight for Arkansas fans and And The Valley Shook! for LSU fans.
While Alabama’s MO will be to attack the Bulldog defense with the armored column that is Henry, passing against the MSU defense is a different proposition.
“I mean it hurts”, Mills said.
Alabama’s running game has gained momentum as the season has unfolded, and despite the ever-present missed assignments and periodic flaws in execution that erratically plague the Tide in run blocking, Alabama is a force to be reckoned with on the ground. Tiger Stadium is not an easy place to win and the Hogs offense will need to be on point to compete with the Tigers defense. Then it got a gift facemask call that was not needed by Ole Miss defensive end Marquis Haynes for a tackle that should have ended the game with the Rebels ahead.
In a speech that was filmed by ESPN, Bazzel told the team that if it won, it was fine to shake hands with the Tigers, but then, “Once it’s done, I want 5 of you, 10 of you, 20 of you, or all of you to run your asses down there and get that boot”. Hogs win 35-32. Like I’ve said many times. The Razorbacks went 4-1 for both SU and ATS over the last five games.
However, winning games alone isn’t enough.
Bazzel admitted that usually a handful of players go get the Boot. “We just have to move on and get ready for Arkansas now”. The keys comes down to one thing: defense, plain and simple. There are two phases of the game in which Alabama hasn’t been dominant this season – the Tide rank 32nd in offensive efficiency and 72nd in special teams efficiency – and in the other phase, Bama will be facing the best quarterback in the SEC. So far in Baton Rouge, they’re doing pretty well keeping that momentum up. LSU beats Arkansas 38-35.
Oct 31, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, U.S.; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Damon Mitchell (7) on a kick return in the second half against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated UTM 63-28. It’s the opposite for LSU, it seems, especially a year ago in that 17-0 loss. He also carried the ball 22 times for 82 yards. Mississippi State’s defense has only allowed 12 points in the fourth quarter all season, including zero touchdowns.
“Everybody’s got to focus and get prepared to do the best job to play even better in [the Mississippi State] game”, Saban said. Without Fournette, Arkansas rolls over LSU.
I believe in this Arkansas team. Vote for your team in the Fan Index! Look at them now. “I think we’re good at finishing drives and games”. They have all the confidence in the world, and are playing red hot. And even though my heart is telling me to pick the team on the win streak, I just can’t pick against LSU at home.
But few of those games have come at night. We’re banking on it probably being a close game. “We know we can close”. We’ll see you guys after the game for our postgame updates and videos.