No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide (-12), Total 50.5 |
The Arkansas Razorbacks are about to go up the ladder in terms of scheduling, heading out on the road for the first time this year and open SEC play against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Saturday’s game features Arkansas’ offense, which leads the SEC in scoring offense, passing offense and total offense; going against an Alabama defensive unit that leads the conference in scoring defense and total defense.
One of the keys to the game is Arkansas being able to get out to a quick start like its done all year, outscoring three opponents by an 85-10 margin. There’s a major problem though, Alabama has allowed just three points in the first half in its first three weeks of action.
Razorbacks quarterback Tyler Wilson is 3-0 as a starter since taking over for the departed Ryan Mallett, throwing for 274 passing yards a game, which ranks second in the SEC. He really heats up in the second quarter of games, leading the nation with 374 passing yards.
Arkansas is a perfect 13-of-13 in the red zone this year, which is tied for first nationally. It’s no surprise due to the program scoring on 44-of-49 opportunities during the 2010 campaign.
college football betting fans will find that the Razorbacks are 10-1 ATS in conference games, while going over in five of six contests in that situation.
Alabama leads this all-time series, 11-8, including the most recent meeting in Fayetteville last year. The Crimson Tide came away with a 24-20 come-from-behind win as 6.5-point road favorites.
It’s important to note that head coach Nick Saban has tallied a 2-1 ATS mark versus Arkansas front man Bobby Petrino, including a dominating 35-7 win in Tuscaloosa in 2009 as 17.5-point home favorites.
The Crimson Tide have posted a 53-21-3 all-time mark in SEC openers, but have won 19 straight, including last year’s win over the Razorbacks. Alabama’s current streak is the longest in school history and the longest active streak amongst conference teams.
Dominating opponents in September has become commonplace under Saban’s direction, posting an 18-2 mark in his fifth season, including a perfect 15-0 mark since the 2008 campaign.
Playing against ranked opposition is something the team looks forward to, tallying a 15-5 mark versus AP Top 25 competition, including a 5-3 mark during the 2010 campaign. The team returns 19 starters from last year’s squad.
Sophomore quarterback AJ McCarron has really taken a hold of the starting role, completing 48-of-75 passes for 579 yards and two touchdowns over the last two contests. He ranks 59th nationally and seventh in the SEC in passing efficiency.
The Crimson Tide possess one of the more dynamic backfields in all of college football, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Trent Richardson, who has already scored eight touchdowns this year.
Richardson is paired up with Eddie Lacy to make up the only running back duo to average over the century mark in rushing yards, running for 105 and 101.3 respectively.
Bettors will likely elect to back the Crimson Tide due to their 2-1 ATS mark as home favorites of 10.5 to 14 points in betting prediction, while the Razorbacks failed to cover their only game as underdogs between 10.5 to 21 points.
That occurred during the 2009 meeting in Tuscaloosa.
