5TYDK: Alabama-Arkansas
By David Wasson
Welcome to a new weekly feature here at BamaHammer.com, called 5 Things You Didn’t Know (or 5TYDK)!
Of course, maybe someone somewhere knows all five of these preview tidbits in advance of every Alabama football game. But we believe in one-stop shopping — which is why we offer them to you.
And because we also like sharing the wealth, there are links at the bottom to both the Alabama and Arkansas weekly pregame media notes. So you can further impress your friends and family with more things they didn’t know!
Welcome to 5TYDK …
5TYDK No. 1: ALABAMA AS THE NATION’S NO. 1
The University of Alabama has played 66 games as the nation’s top-ranked team since the inception of the Associated Press poll in 1936. In those games the Crimson Tide boasts a 56-10 (.848) record. Those numbers get even more impressive when you look at the 10 seasons under the direction of head coach Nick Saban (2007-present). Since the ninth game of the 2008 season (106 games), Alabama has played 41 games while being ranked No. 1, posting a 36-5 (.878) record during that span.
5TYDK No. 2: FACING OFF WITH THE BEST
The Crimson Tide has the fourth-toughest schedule in college football this season per ESPN.com’s preseason College Football Power Index, trailing only USC, Ole Miss and Florida State. Alabama
will, by season’s end, face off with nine teams who participated in a bowl game a season ago and will have met four teams ranked in the preseason Associated Press Top 25.
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5TYDK No. 3: NON-OFFENSIVE WINS
Alabama’s defense and special teams has outscored the Crimson Tide’s opponent in three of five games this season. In the season opener, Marlon Humphrey’s 18-yard interception return accounted for seven of the Tide’s 52 points, while the Trojans managed two field goals. Against Kent State, Xavian Marks’ 75-yard punt return for a touchdown was the difference in Alabama’s shutout victory. The defense once again proved to be enough against Kentucky with Ronnie Harrison’s 55-yard fumble return going for seven points in a 34-6 win over the Wildcats. Alabama almost pulled it off in four games, scoring on Eddie Jackson’s 55-yard interception return, only to see Western Kentucky score a late touchdown to edge the Tide’s defense 10-7. The Tide also scored three non-offensive touchdowns in a 48-43 win over No. 17 Ole Miss.
5TYDK No. 4: HOGS’ HOT START
The Razorbacks’ 4-1 start is its best start through five games since 2011, as it picked up its 10th win in its last 12 games with a 52-10 triumph over Alcorn State at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Behind four 100-yard rushing efforts and two 100-yard receiving performances, Arkansas has totaled 400-plus yards of total offense in each of its last four games, which is the second most in the SEC this season.
Next: Crimson Tide Players Of The Game, Week 5
5TYDK No. 5: ALLEN’S HOT HAND
Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen has completed 94 of 139 passes for 1,232 yards and 12 TDs
against just two picks. He is one of 19 QBs in the FBS, including four in the SEC, to total 1,000-plus passing yards and at least 12 TD passes this season. In addition, the junior signal caller has thrown for 200+ yards in four consecutive games and is one of 12 QBs in the FBS, including two in the SEC, with at least four games of 200-plus passing yards and at least two TD passes this season.