Arkansas Bammer Prediction

So I know in my joke post about the Arkansas Schedule this year, I said that Nick Saban would control this game and win it for the Tide... actually I said that he would play for them and win it.

Every once in awhile I like to give real analysis and break the game down. This is a huge game for both teams. With Auburn seeming like they are on the down this year it looks like the team that wins this game will have the best shot at coming in 2nd or 1st if they can find a way to compete with the Bayou Bengals of LSU.

"I tell you, it's always been a big win for us," said Nutt, who is 5-4 against Alabama. "Any time we've beaten Alabama, I think it helps us our season. There's a lot of respect we have versus Alabama. Our players know it's always the first SEC game. There's a big rivalry there between both of us. It's always been good when we're able to get the first one."

This game is also big because of the result of the 2006 clash where Alabama let Arkansas off the hook with Leigh Tiffin's inconsistent kicking and ballsy play by a freshman QB who after throwing 3 interceptions still through to the end zone for the tying touchdown to set up the game winning PAT.

The Game - Who Gets the EDGE

Quarterbacks
This game might just come down to whichever Quarterback plays best. Largely whichever quarterback coughs it up least. In the past 3 years Casey and John have 10 and 11 interceptions respectively, but John Parker Wilson started all 13 games last season with a record of 6-7. JPW made more attempts last season than Casey Dick has in his entire career. The experience edge goes to John Parker Wilson, but as both QBs are coming into this game hoping to get their first TD passes of the season, I'm going to put them on an even playing field and say tie, with a small nod going to the Home QB.

Running backs
Everyone knows the first person I would normally mention in this comparison and be done with it, but Bama has a great running back in Terry Grant. The real edge in this has to go to the hogs who have a 3rd stringer in Micheal Smith that can play at the same level as Terry. Arkansas has Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield along with fullback Peyton Hillis. It's a rather large advantage for the hogs also considering Alabama's starting Fullback Jimmy Johns is questionable with a twisted ankle. The hogs get the major edge in this category.

Wide Recievers
With Peyton Hill receiving most of the catches for the hogs out of the backfield, The Razorbacks Wideouts didn't get the ball much in their first game. The long bright spot in the Wide Recievers for the hogs was a 42 yard touchdown throw from Darren McFadden to Freshman Crosby Tuck. While the Tide's wideouts only have 1 touchdown between them from backup QB Greg McElroy, DJ Hall has more catches and yards in each game than all of the razorbacks receivers combined in their first game. The Tide get the edge in this one, but look for the hogs to improve greatly when Tight End Ben Cleveland and Flanker Marcus Monk return.

Defense
Alabama has only given up 16 points in the past 2 games while Arkansas allowed Troy to score 26 including a touchdown as time expired in the 4th quarter. The Hogs weak secondary will allow the tide to score their first touchdown through the air this season. The front 7 for the hogs and the tide have gone untested by a terrible Trojan and Vanderbilt rushing attack. Both of these teams will be facing backs of a much higher caliber in this next game. The edge goes to the Tide.

Special Teams
Hogs win the kicking battle. Leigh Tiffin's historic meltdown against the hogs last season will leave him forever on my list as worst kickers in the history of college football. Meanwhile the hogs have Freshman sensation Alex Tejada who was perfect except for a bad hold on his final PAT. The Punt return edge definitely goes to the Tide. Arkansas has more questions to answer on fielding punts than on any other part of the field. With a lost fumble in the last game, Houston Nutt has had to shuffle Peyton Hillis back their to field punts. The tide have a punt returner who is an exciting play maker. Against Vanderbilt, Sophomore D-Back Javier Arenas (cousin of NBA Star Gilbert Arenas), showed a little bit of Hibachi himself with a 69 yard return to the Vanderbilt 1-yard line to set up a touchdown. On Kick returns the hogs use Felix Jones and Darren McFadden. Felix has taken 3 kicks back for touchdowns and already has one for this season. Javier will do well, but the hogs have two terrific backs back there. The overall Special Teams edge goes to the hogs provided they are free from Punt Return fumbles

The EDGE for this game goes to the Hogs! In a close one where the defenses will give up a few big plays look for the hogs and their explosive backfield to have more. Nick Saban is excited about the challenge of dealing with a player like D-Mac, but he won't be excited after the final seconds tick from the clock with his team behind the hogs for the game and for the season.