Alabama Football: Hogs maybe most dangerous three touchdown dog ever

Nick Saban is ever vigilant guarding his Alabama football teams against taking an opponent lightly. There are no degrees of vigilance tied to how good or bad is the opposition. According to Saban, even a Mercer can pose a threat.

Nick may not be a student of long ago college football history. If he isn’t, he coaches as though he knows many, old, but well-learned lessons. Saban’s approach brings to mind the legendary John Heisman. In 1916, Heisman’s Georgia Tech team led a small, ragtag group of 13 Cumberland College students 126-0 at halftime. According to Cumberland historian, Frank Burns, Heisman’s halftime talk to his Yellow Jackets included,

"We’re ahead, but you just can’t tell what those Cumberland players have up their sleeves. They may spring a surprise. Be alert, men."

Heisman was a ‘take nothing for granted man.’ So is Nick Saban.

Does the Arkansas Razorbacks team coming to Tuscaloosa on Saturday pose a danger to the Crimson Tide? Absolutely, they do. There are several reasons why.

Not since Bobby Petrino’s last season in Fayetteville in 2011 have the Hogs won more than eight games. The Razorbacks are highly motivated. With two regular-season games left and a bowl game, Arkansas could win 10 games, even with a loss to Alabama Football.

Getting to 10 wins would make a strong statement about the rapid improvement of the program under Sam Pittman. The Hogs will seek a Saturday statement as well. The 4-0 Razorbacks were embarrassed in early October in a visit to Athens, Ga. Saturday afternoon in Bryant-Denny gives the Hogs another chance to show they can play with the big boys.

Pittman has built a team that has confidence in each other and in their coach. They play hard for Pittman, with no sign this season of anything but determination. They will not be in awe when the ball is kicked off on Saturday. It would be foolish to expect them to play like a three-touchdown underdog.

The Razorbacks are vulnerable in the secondary as a result of injuries and a less than stellar pass rush. The Hogs rush defense has stiffened in the last month. In their last four games, the average yards-per-rush against them has been 3.9 yards (Auburn), 3.0 yards (Arkansas Pine-Bluff), 2,7 yards (Mississippi State) and 2.6 yards (LSU).

With a thin running back roster and an inconsistent offensive line, the Crimson Tide might be challenged to produce a strong running game. Taking what the defense gives it unless the Crimson Tide beats itself with mistakes and turnovers, Bryce Young’s arm should provide a winning margin.

Note: Arkansas stats from sports-reference.com

But that ‘should win’ does not mean the Razorbacks are not dangerous. Don’t believe it – just ask Nick Saban.

A dangerous Arkansas team might have been part of the reason Nick Saban was not pleased with some Alabama football players after Wednesday’s practice.