Alabama football is one game away from winning the SEC West for a ninth time under Nick Saban.
After watching Auburn, Texas A&M, and LSU lose, the Crimson Tide faces Arkansas on Saturday. Coach Saban wants the fans involved at Bryant-Denny Stadium as kickoff will be at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. The Razorbacks are 7-3 under Sam Pittman and have an explosive offense. Arkansas has always been tough competition for the Tide, but KJ Jefferson brings a dual-threat element. The sophomore quarterback accounts for 22 total touchdowns, including five rushing scores on the season.
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Arkansas also uses four running backs — Trelon Smith, Raheim Sanders, Dominique Johnson, and AJ Green — with Smith assuming the role as the leading rusher (513 rushing yards, four scores). Treylon Burks is one of the most explosive wide receivers in college football. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has 51 catches for 796 yards and eight touchdowns.
Arkansas also gets big plays from Tyson Morris and Warren Thompson, both of which have two scores apiece. Defensively, Bumper Pool and Hayden Henry are the two of the most physical linebackers in the Southeastern Conference.
Pool leads the Razorbacks with 100 total tackles this year. Henry has 8.5 tackles for loss, and Trey Williams (defensive line) has a team-high six sacks. Montaric Brown, a senior, captains Arkansas’ secondary with four interceptions.
Pittman’s defense has allowed 30+ points three times. The Razorbacks are no longer a pushover in the conference. Alabama must have its best game if it wants to clinch the SEC West and play for a conference title.
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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.
