Alabama Football: Early take on the Hogs from Fayetteville

Arkansas is in a must-win situation against an Alabama football team with a recent history of road struggles. A quick reaction could suggest those two components might make the game a toss-up.

Oddsmakers think otherwise, with FanDuel posting a spread on 16.5 points in favor of the Crimson Tide. That was the spread Sunday night, up from 14.5 points on Saturday night.

Alabama Football 15-Game Win Streak over Arkansas

It has been so long since Alabama Football lost to Arkansas, the point spread is smaller than normal. But 16.5 points on an SEC road favorite are a lot. Particularly when the home team was ranked No. 10 before Saturday’s loss to Texas A&M.

Except for the Aggie faithful, many other fans still believe Arkansas is better than A&M. A bizarre touchdown by the Aggies, which was almost a touchdown for the Hogs, was almost survived by Arkansas. A late field goal was oh so close to giving the Razorbacks a win.

Moving on to this week, Arkansas has weaknesses. Last season, Bryce Young scorched them with 559 passing yards. This season, Arkansas is not only last in the SEC in Passing Defense, the Hogs are also No. 126 in the FBS in average passing yards allowed per game.

Arkansas fans are apprehensive about the matchup again this season. From the Arkansas fan site, Razorbackers, check this out,

"The secondary has gone from a question mark to a legitimate issue that will be on every future scouting report. I fully expect Bryce Young, who has already thrown for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, to come to Fayetteville next week and shred us."

The loss to the Aggies had little to do with A&M’s mediocre passing attack that produced only 151 yards. Along with Arkansas mostly beating itself, the Hogs’ defense could not contain A&M running back, Devon Achane who rushed for 159 yards.

Arkansas fans were also dissatisfied with Hog’s OC, Kendall Briles’ play-calling. As Razorbackers discussed,

"I’m also concerned about the playcalling. Arkansas football was pounding the ball down the field with a chance to go up 21-0 early in the 2nd quarter, and Kendal Briles got cute with it, and the drive stalled."

With 244 yards on the ground, the Hogs produced rushing yards well about the season’s average of 154 yards yielded by the A&M defense.

Arkansas QB, KJ Jefferson did not have a great passing game against the Aggies. His 12-for-19 accuracy produced just 171 yards.

The bottom line from our FanSided friends in Arkansas is they are not sure how good their team is. I’m not sure either, but on Monday 16.5 points feels like a lot.