Alabama Football: Crimson Tide wins over the Hogs in un-Saban like fashion

Alabama football remained unbeaten, beating Arkansas 65-31 in very un-Saban like fashion. The Razorbacks piled up 405 yards on the Crimson Tide.

No disrespect to Arkansas but Saturday’s game was over after one play from scrimmage. Alabama football, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Irv Smith and suddenly the game was 7-0 in favor of the Crimson Tide.

Before Tua finished, he threw for 334 yards on just 13 passes, yielding four touchdowns. The Alabama Crimson Tide offense produced 639 yards. It took Alabama football three plays to score the first two touchdowns.

To make things interesting for the defensive coaches of future opponents, Nick Saban added some scheme trickeration with formations that employed both Tua and Jalen Hurts. On one play, Tua was the quarterback. On the next it was Jalen. That razzle-dazzle and the bell-ringing 65 points were unusual for Saban but not out of character. Nick has always been a fan of explosive plays.

The game was un-Saban like defensively. Arkansas, winner of one game this season, is in the running for the worst team in the SEC. The Razorbacks gained 405 yards on the Crimson Tide defense and most of the damage was done against the Alabama football first unit.

A Saban defense, allowing an outmatched opponent to score 31 points, will make the Tide victory joyless for Saban. Next week will be tough in Tuscaloosa for the Tide defenders. Nick Saban and the Tide defensive staff will stress quick improvement.

The Tide coaches should have no trouble getting the attention of the Tide defense. If the Tide players needed a wake-up call, the Hogs provided it. If the Tide defenders did not know before, now they can be sure they cannot excel on just having more talent than an opponent. The Tide defense was riddled by confusion, missed assignments and blown coverages. Ten Razorbacks caught passes. Perhaps even worse, the Hogs gained 172 yards on the ground.

Alabama football had success on the ground as well, particularly senior, Damien Harris. That success was muted by two short-yardage results. On fourth-and-inches, the Hogs stuffed the Tide. Later, at the goal line, on fourth down and less than a yard, the Tide barely scored. In fact, it took video review to award Alabama football a touchdown. The Crimson Tide offensive line played well most of the day. But twice, when everyone in the stadium knew to anticipate a run, there was no push.

The Crimson Tide won and it won big. It just did not look invincible doing it.

Can it be an un-Saban like defense will not matter because the offense is un-Alabama like explosive? Maybe in most games, that recipe will deliver. Nick Saban is not willing to accept that being the Tide’s best option.