FAYETTEVILLE — THE CRIMSON TIDE : Nick Saban's No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide moved to 3-0 on the season last Saturday with a 53-7 victory over North Texas. Bama opened the season with a 34-24 victory over then No. 7 Virginia Tech, now ranked 11th, and defeated Florida International 40-14 on Sept. 12. Alabama was the media's preseason pick to win the Southeastern Conference Western Division, and while Saturday's game is the Tide's SEC opener, the media's projection still looks valid going into the fourth week of the season.
OFFENSE : With first-year starter Greg McElroy under center, the Tide have had no trouble putting points on the board.
Bama is averaging 42.4 ppg., which ties the Tide at fourth in the SEC withtheir archrivall Auburn. Alabama is balanced on offense, averaging 267.7 yards per game on the ground and 244.7 thought the air. McElroy has thrown only one interception and Mark Ingram leads a strong stable of runners, averaging 90 yards per game. Alabama has not fumbled all season.
DEFENSE : The strength of the Tide is their defense, and true to from Alabama is leading the SEC in total defense, giving up just 185.3 yards per game.
Alabama is particularly stingy against the run, allowing just 42 yards per game. Opponents have thrown for an average of 143.3 yards on the Tide, which has one interception and has given up only 2 touchdown passes this season. Nose guard Terrence Cody is a monumental barrier in the middle and Rolando McClain and Dont'a Hightower are headhunters, who back him up. Bama already has 10 sacks for 76 yards in losses.
SPECIAL TEAMS : Javier Arenas is one of the most versatile and dangerous return men in the SEC. He's averaging 20.5 yards per punt return with a long of 46 and 28.2 yards per kick-off return with a long of 61. Leigh Tiffin has made 8 of10 field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards. His misses have been in 30- to 39-yard range. He has missed two PATs. Punter P.J. Fitzgerald is averaging 44.7 yards with a long of 53.
SERIES : The Razorbacks are 8-11 against their Western Division rival and have lost their last two meetings to the Crimson Tide - 49-14 last year in Fayetteville and 41-38 in their last visit to Tuscaloosa.
OUTLOOK : Alabama is the first great defense the Hogs run into this season, and with all due respect to Florida, it could be the best unit they see all season.
Bama smothers the run with its front 7, and since it doesn't have to cheat up front, its back end, which is big, quick and athletic, is rarely put in bad situations.
Since running the ball won't be a good option for the Hogs, Arkansas' offensive front must protect quarterback Ryan Mallett for the Hogs to have any sort of a chance. Mallett can't hold the ball as long as he did against Georgia or he will not only get sacked but possibly hurt.
Offensively, the Tide is balanced.
Look for them to establish the run with tailback Mark Ingram, and then for quarterback Greg McElroy to look for big plays through the air off play action.
PICK: Alabama 47, Arkansas 20
Sports, Pages 9, 10 on 09/21/2009