Alabama Football: What to expect from the Arkansas game

In week five of college football, Alabama Football gets an opponent that can challenge the Crimson Tide. During the summer, I projected the Arkansas Razorbacks as the Tide’s toughest regular season test.

One reason why was that last season, even with Bryce Young passing for 559 yards in the game, Alabama won by only a touchdown. Another reason was the 2022 Hogs having one of the most experienced offensive lines in the SEC. A third reason is Sam Pittman always has his team playing tough football in any game, but especially so in Fayetteville.

Since the season started I have changed my mind.

I now think the toughest regular season challenge for the Crimson Tide will be in Knoxville.

More on Tennessee later. For now, let’s consider the level of challenge that will be provided by the Razorbacks this Saturday.

How Arkansas can challenge Alabama Football

• The offensive line has already been mentioned. In four games the Hogs have given KJ Jefferson good protection, allowing only six sacks, just two more than the Crimson Tide.
• Arkansas quarterback, KJ Jefferson is a running back who can throw (well). Think of him as a less elusive, but more powerful runner than Blake Sims and a better passer as well. At a rating of 175.2, Jefferson is No. 2 in the SEC, behind Hendon Hooker.
• The Arkansas passing game benefits from multiple big receivers. Arkansas lists Jadon Haselwood as 6’3″ and Matt Landers at 6’5″ and 214 lbs. Landers and another Hogs’ receiver, Warren Thompson are averaging over 15-yards per catch. Plus, the Hogs have tight end Trey Knox, who at 6’5″ and 245 lbs. is also a receiving threat.
• Arkansas leads the SEC at an average of five sacks per game.
• LSU transfer cornerback, Dwight McGlothern has strengthened the Arkansas secondary. He shares the SEC lead in interceptions with two.
• Arkansas running back, Rocket Sanders is averaging over 6-yards per carry.

Alabama Football Advantages over Arkansas

• The best player in the Arkansas secondary, safety Jalen Catalon is out for the season. Another cornerback, LaDarrius Bishop has also been lost for the season.
• Assuming Hogs’ DC, Barry Odom relies on frequent blitzing, Bryce Young can make the Hogs defense pay.
• If Odom, opts to drop six, seven, maybe even eight defenders into pass coverage, Alabama can run with little resistance.
• As good as KJ Jefferson is, he has tried to force some plays this season. If he does more of that on Saturday, the Tide defense can make him pay.
• After being viewed as too clever at a key time against Texas A&M, Hogs’ OC, Kendall Briles may rely more on the Arkansas running game. If he does, that plays to the Crimson Tide’s best defensive strength.
• Alabama has Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr. Arkansas has many talented players, but none close to the Crimson Tide duo.

Note: This post was aided by data from cfbstats.com

Injuries to Crimson Tide defenders, Byron Young and Jordan Battle may not keep them out of the Arkansas game. Both have reportedly practiced this week. Battle is believed to have only suffered a leg cramp against Vanderbilt. It is also possible a trio of Tide wide receivers will be back – JoJo Earle, Aaron Anderson and Tyler Harrell.