I know the teams in these two games very well. I thought I would share my breakdown of these games since the board has given so much to me in my years of reading breakdowns on here.
Arkansas @ Alabama
Back Arkansas +3.5
Arkansas has the best tandem running game in the nation. Darren McFadden (Heisman frontrunner) is the second best back on the team at this point. OPening week, Felix JOnes racked up over 250 of all purpose yards while DMAC had his 100 plus yard rushing game. These two backs have a bruising blocking fullback (Peyton Hillis) who will probably also be the leading receiver on the team today as well.
Arkansas Leads the nation in kick return yards averaging over 40 yards per return. Do not think this is a fluke because of their week one competition because Felix Jones ran 3 kicks back for td last year.
For the first time in Houston Nutt's tenure, Arkansas has a scholarship kicker. While he is a true freshman, it has been reported that he is hitting 60 yard fieldgoals at 80% accuracy in pracatice. TO say the least, the lack of a kicking game has killed Arkansas in the last 10 years.
In week one, Troy came into Fayetteville and lost 48 - 24. Arkansas defense looked a little lost in the first half until Ex-NC State defensive coordinator Reggie Herring made the second half adjustments. THe first half woes were a result of trying to run a zone defense in resoonse to Troy's spread offense. Once Reggie put the D into their standard Man coverage (which you will see today), they shut Troy down. On another note, we see what Troy did to OK state last night. THey blew them away in every aspect.
Althought Houston Nutt has had a DRAMA filled offseason, he has a way of giving his team an us against the world mentality. Like Houston or not (I don't), he has never had a team quit on him. On another coaching note, Coach Nutt has closed practice this week to the media in an effor to hide an new offesnive wrinkle he is installing in order to get DMAC, Felix, Peyton, and backup RB Michael Smith on the field at the same time. Some say it might be somewhat reminescent of the Flexbone option.
The only thing I have not mentioned is the passing game. This is because it is non-existent. Casey Dick is an average is best QB. Arkansas' star Wideout Marcus Monk is still listed as questionable but from what I am hearing it is very doubtful that he will play. The hogs should be able to have an effective intermediate passing game soley because of the extreme running threat the present.
My analysis:
Back Arkansas +3.5
Arkansas 28 Alabama 20
Many people will give Alabama the coaching edge. However, I hate betting on first year coaches early in the season. I believe it takes several games for the staff to gain the sideline moxy.
Arkansas kicking game should help them win the field position battle. THeir running game will be unstoppable as always. If Arkansas can sprinkle in an intermidiate passing game, they will win the game straight up. The only reason I will not be backing the ML is because it is in Tuscaloosa. IF you have never been to an evening game in Tuscaloosa then you won't understand.
I see a lot of folks on here backing Alabama. At best, I would suggest to lay off this game if you can't go against BAMA.
Peace,
Ryan
Arkansas @ Alabama
Back Arkansas +3.5
Arkansas has the best tandem running game in the nation. Darren McFadden (Heisman frontrunner) is the second best back on the team at this point. OPening week, Felix JOnes racked up over 250 of all purpose yards while DMAC had his 100 plus yard rushing game. These two backs have a bruising blocking fullback (Peyton Hillis) who will probably also be the leading receiver on the team today as well.
Arkansas Leads the nation in kick return yards averaging over 40 yards per return. Do not think this is a fluke because of their week one competition because Felix Jones ran 3 kicks back for td last year.
For the first time in Houston Nutt's tenure, Arkansas has a scholarship kicker. While he is a true freshman, it has been reported that he is hitting 60 yard fieldgoals at 80% accuracy in pracatice. TO say the least, the lack of a kicking game has killed Arkansas in the last 10 years.
In week one, Troy came into Fayetteville and lost 48 - 24. Arkansas defense looked a little lost in the first half until Ex-NC State defensive coordinator Reggie Herring made the second half adjustments. THe first half woes were a result of trying to run a zone defense in resoonse to Troy's spread offense. Once Reggie put the D into their standard Man coverage (which you will see today), they shut Troy down. On another note, we see what Troy did to OK state last night. THey blew them away in every aspect.
Althought Houston Nutt has had a DRAMA filled offseason, he has a way of giving his team an us against the world mentality. Like Houston or not (I don't), he has never had a team quit on him. On another coaching note, Coach Nutt has closed practice this week to the media in an effor to hide an new offesnive wrinkle he is installing in order to get DMAC, Felix, Peyton, and backup RB Michael Smith on the field at the same time. Some say it might be somewhat reminescent of the Flexbone option.
The only thing I have not mentioned is the passing game. This is because it is non-existent. Casey Dick is an average is best QB. Arkansas' star Wideout Marcus Monk is still listed as questionable but from what I am hearing it is very doubtful that he will play. The hogs should be able to have an effective intermediate passing game soley because of the extreme running threat the present.
My analysis:
Back Arkansas +3.5
Arkansas 28 Alabama 20
Many people will give Alabama the coaching edge. However, I hate betting on first year coaches early in the season. I believe it takes several games for the staff to gain the sideline moxy.
Arkansas kicking game should help them win the field position battle. THeir running game will be unstoppable as always. If Arkansas can sprinkle in an intermidiate passing game, they will win the game straight up. The only reason I will not be backing the ML is because it is in Tuscaloosa. IF you have never been to an evening game in Tuscaloosa then you won't understand.
I see a lot of folks on here backing Alabama. At best, I would suggest to lay off this game if you can't go against BAMA.
Peace,
Ryan
