More challenges from Nick Saban to the media on critiquing this year’s team will come after Alabama’s performance on defense against Arkansas. For a program that has been widely recognized for beaten teams into surrender mode, the Crimson Tide lacked a savage mentality inside D.W.R. Razorback Stadium.
Even in a 65-31 victory, there were a bunch of blown assignments from linebackers, defensive backs and defensive linemen.
Behind Ty Storey at quarterback, Arkansas’ offense totaled 405 yards – including 172 yards rushing and it navigated the ball into Alabama’s territory very well on a few possessions.
If not for self-inflicting mistakes (three turnovers), the Razorbacks could have easily made this matchup closer than the score indicated. Chad Morris coached a hard-nosed group that was efficient in third down offense (three of six) and boasted the second individual to record 100-plus yards rushing versus the Tide in running back, Rakeem Boyd.
He collected 102 yards rushing on 15 attempts, filling in for Devwah Whaley (concussion) this weekend.
The 31 points it surrendered to the Hogs is the most given up by a Saban-coached Alabama defense since its 2017 meeting with Clemson in the College Football Playoff national title game, where it allowed 35 points. He’s always the intense one in practice when it comes to chewing out players; however, Tosh Lupoi has to fine-tune his technique quickly as the rest of college football will intently study this tape.
As good as Tua Tagovailoa and the offense has been, there will come a point where a defense may have the formula to limit the sophomore’s production. Next week should provide a much more intense Saban, as he demands for this defense to return to striking fear into the hearts of opposition.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
