Arkansas preview: Hogs lack the horses to hang with Bama

DEFENSE

Both teams are using versions of a three-man-front scheme, but the difference in effectiveness is like comparing the darkness of coffee to that of a bleached T-shirt. Alabama ranks 5^th in total defense, 1^st in rushing defense, 4^th in scoring defense, 12^th in pass efficiency defense and 25^th in raw pass defense. The numbers for Arkansas: 40^th in total defense, 59^th in rushing defense, 97^th in scoring defense, 39^th in pass efficiency defense and 56^th in pass efficiency defense. In addition, the Razorbacks rank 93^rd in sacks and 117^th in tackles for loss, and while Alabama’s numbers are just above the midline in both categories, they’re moving up quickly. There are size issues along the Razorback front, and the secondary is being held together with duct tape and bailing wire.

DEFENSIVE LINE

With three new starters along the front and another new starter at the hybrid “Razor” position (essentially Arkansas’ Jack linebacker), most people knew heading into the year that Arkansas was going to be behind the 8-ball. The extent that Arkansas has struggled, however, was probably not so expected. Except for a 7-point performance against lower-division Florida A&M, Arkansas has stopped virtually no one, and opposing teams aren’t needing much time to score.

The Hogs lead the SEC in time of possession and rank 20^th nationally in the statistic, meaning the defense is not spending much time on the field – yet it is allowing points on demand. This starts up front, and Arkansas needs better play out of nosetackle Bijohn Jackson and ends T.J. Smith and McTelvin Agim. The three have combined for only 2 sacks and 6 QB hurries. Reserve nosetackle Austin Capps has been more productive than Jackson, but still not by enough. Arkansas has a lot of guys to throw out here – four reserve ends (Jonathan Marshall, Briston Guidry, Armon Watts, Jake Hall) and a third nosetackle (Dylan Hays) – but offenses move each of them around fairly easily.

As for Alabama, there’s nothing easy about its front. Da’Ron Payne will start at nose with Isaiah Buggs and Raekwon Davis manning the end positions. LaBryan Ray and Quinnen Williams have been very productive in limited work as reserves outside, and inside, Joshua Frazier has been steady. Jamar King and Johnny Dwight should get in this game as well. This one isn’t close. Advantage: Alabama

LINEBACKERS

There’s a size issue at the Razor position, as Randy Ramsey is below-average in size for an outside linebacker and his backup, true freshman Hayden Henry, is smaller than two of Alabama’s starting safeties. And this is allegedly an edge-setting position within the Arkansas defense. The rest of the starting unit – De’Jon Harris inside and Dre Greenlaw outside – are a mixed bag. Harris is probably Arkansas’ best defensive player, and he’s currently both the leading tackler and the only linebacker that has shown the ability to consistently fill a hole. Greenlaw is more of a placeholder, not a difference-maker. Ramsey has good quicks off the line, but still has just 1 sack and 1 QB hurry on the year. Grant Morgan and Dee Walker will back up the MLB and WLB positions; both are freshmen.

Experience is at a premium here. When Arkansas goes “big” – meaning, when the Razorbacks opt to put the “Hog” position on the field and thus add an additional, undersized linebacker – Dwayne Eugene will take the field. Eugene has arguably been the most active Razorback behind opponents’ offensive line of scrimmage.

Alabama will start Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans inside, with Keith Holcombe and Mack Wilson playing significant roles. Outside, Anfernee Jennings has become a playmaker at the Jack spot, while Jamey Mosley and Christopher Allen will rotate as pass-rush specialists. Alabama needs more consistency from its outside backers in the pass rush, but that’s a function of losing Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller to injury and not having a Plan B ready to go. Dylan Moses and Joshua McMillon provide depth. The biggest issue for Alabama is health, not just that of Lewis and Miller, but also of Evans, who is nowhere close to 100 percent and probably won’t be for weeks. Even considering that issue, though, Alabama has tons more talent here than does Arkansas, whose group is barely SEC-level. Advantage: Alabama

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Alabama’s safety combination of Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison alone win the day for the Crimson Tide. Fitzpatrick suddenly finds himself the subject of legitimate Heisman Trophy discussion after his strong start. Alabama will likely be without Star safety Tony Brown for this game due to a knee injury suffered late against Texas A&M. Hootie Jones will see an increased role, as will either Xavier McKinney, Shyheim Carter or Deionte Thompson. At corner, Anthony Averett and Levi Wallace have played about as well as anyone could have hoped. The temporary loss of Brown affects this position, too, although not as much as it will the safety groupings. Trevon Diggs may be available for this game but would likely play only if absolutely necessary. In addition to Shyheim Carter, Jared Mayden and Nigel Knott offer depth outside.

Arkansas is in sort of a mess. Its best DB, Ryan Pulley, was lost for the year with a shoulder injury. As a result, true freshman Kameron Curl will start next to senior Henre’ Toliver, who becomes by default the leader of this unit. Kevin Richardson II will start at nickel in Arkansas’ base 3-3-5 alignment, while Josh Liddell and Santos Ramirez get the call at safety. Arkansas doesn’t create many turnovers in general (91^st nationally) and has only 3 interceptions as a team this entire season. Depth in the secondary is a concern, with only two experienced options (De’Andre Coley, Reid Miller, both of them safeties). Again, like the linebacker group, this one isn’t particularly close. Advantage: Alabama

SPECIAL TEAMS

It would be interesting to know how good Arkansas’ placekickers are, but the Razorbacks haven’t really made use of them yet. Cole Hedlund has missed both field goals – both from inside 30 yards, at that – and Connor Limpert, who is listed as the starter this week, is a whopping 1-for-1, although that make came from 48 yards out. Net punting has been awful (115^th nationally) behind Blake Johnson. The Razorbacks are fairly adept at both punt and kick returns, but struggle mightily on both punt and kick return defense.

This might be the week Alabama breaks one in the punt return department. For Alabama, punter J.K. Scott suddenly has hit a lull, although he’s been a weapon on kickoffs. Main placekicker Andy Pappanastos is suddenly a critical edge for the Tide, especially on kicks from inside 40 yards. The return game could be better, although Alabama has come close to popping a couple of punt returns this year. Even with Scott’s recent difficulties, Alabama is acres better than Arkansas in the punting game and has far too many athletes on its coverage teams for the Razorbacks to overcome. And until more is known about the Limpert/Hedlund combination going forward, the Tide also carries the placekicking competition as well. Advantage: Alabama

OVERALL

It’s a straight eight for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide takes all categories. Alabama also strongly controls both OL-DL matchups. By all rights, this should be a walkover.

But SEC football often isn’t that simple, and Alabama does come into this game less healthy overall than Arkansas, with some key questions at receiver, offensive line and potentially in special teams. If you’re looking for places Arkansas might match up favorably, the Razorbacks are close at wide receiver and could theoretically cause some issues at quarterback if Allen is both healthy and hitting his marks.

Still, this is starting to sound as if we’re looking for ways not to pick a blowout. In the end, Arkansas just isn’t big enough or strong enough to stay in this game long. If for some reason Alabama finds itself in a tight game here, it’s more an indictment over what’s going on in Tuscaloosa than a celebration of what’s going on in Fayetteville.

Alabama 41
Arkansas 10

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Follow Jess Nicholas on Twitter at @TideFansJessN