No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Inside the Numbers Preview
Posted by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Alabama and Arkansas close out their portion of the 10-game 2020 SEC West regular season schedule on Saturday when the Crimson Tide (9-0) makes the trek to Fayetteville to take on the Razorbacks (3-6). For the Hogs, it is a David verses Goliath scenario with Arkansas hoping to derail the No. 1 team in the land before the Tide heads to Atlanta to face the Florida Gators in another SEC Championship Game showdown.
If Alabama head coach Nick Saban is seen smiling walking around Tuscaloosa this week, he has good reason. After a “down year” in 2019 that included two losses and exclusion from the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide have avenged losses to both LSU and Auburn and can add to their season’s plunder next week by taking down No. 6 Florida.
For the Hogs, the 2020 season has been full of what ifs. Arkansas had their third game of the season come down to the final minutes seeing a 32-yard field goal by Harrison Mevis sail through the uprights giving Missouri a 50-48 win in Columbia as time expired. Through all of Arkansas’ adversity this season, the Hogs continue to show fight posting 566 yards of total offense with backup quarterback KJ Jefferson getting the start while starter Feleipe Franks was on the sidelines with a rib injury.
For the Hogs to pull off the upset of the year, a repeat performance is needed on offense with the defense shaving off some of the 653 total yards allowed to Missouri’s offense last week. Adding to the seemingly impossible, Alabama will have to get caught napping mentally preparing for the Gators.
No. 1 Alabama vs. Arkansas
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Alabama -32
Breakdown
Alabama Strength of Schedule: No. 8
Arkansas Strength of Schedule: No. 2
Offensive Breakdown
AU Points Per Game: 49.22
ARK Points Per Game: 28.2
AU Rushing Yards Per Game: 187.2
ARK Rushing Yards Per Game: 159.2
AU Passing Yards Per Game 361.11
ARK Passing Yards Per Game: 254.9
AU Total Offense: 548.3
ARK Total Offense: 414.1
AU Third Down Conversion Percentage: 55-96 – 57.29%
ARK Third Down Conversion Percentage: 41-121 – 34%
AU Red Zone Offense: 44-48 – 36 touchdowns
ARK Red Zone Offense: 29-32 – 23 touchdowns
Alabama Key Offensive Players
RB Najee Harris: 169 carries for 1,038 yards, 20 TDs
WR DeVonta Smith: 80 rec. for 1,305 yards, 15 TDs
WR John Metchie: 35 rec. for 648 yards, 6 TDs
QB Mac Jones: 193-255 for 3,113 yards, 27 TDs, and 3 INTs
ARK Key Offensive Players
RB Trelon Smith: 115 carries for 641 yards, 5 TDs
WR Treylon Burks: 49 rec. for 804 yards, 7 TDs
WR Mike Woods: 29 rec. for 576 yards, 5 TDs
QB Feleipe Franks: 155-228 for 2,017 yards, 17 TDs, and 4 INTs
Defensive Breakdown
AU Total Defense: 357.0
ARK Total Defense: 452.7
AU Points Allowed Per Game: 18.33
ARK Points Allowed Per Game: 33.0
AU Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 240.33
ARK Passing Yards Allowed Per Game: 263.2
AU Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 116.7
ARK Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 189.4
AU Defensive Third Down Conversion: 56-144 – 38.89%
ARK Defensive Third Down Conversion: 64-144 – 44%
AU Red Zone Defense: 18-25 – 11 touchdowns
ARK Red Zone Defense: 31-40 – 25 touchdowns
Alabama Key Defensive Players
LB Christian Harris: 64 tackles, 5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 2 PBU, and 6 QB hurries
LB Dylan Moses: 59 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, and 2 PBU
DB Daniel Wright: 46 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 2 PBU, and 1 QB hurry
DB Malachi Moore: 40 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 INTs, 6 PBU, 2 QB hurries, 1 FF, and 1 FR
Arkansas Key Defensive Players
LB Grant Morgan: 111 tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT – out
SS Jalen Catalon: 89 tackles, 2 TFL, 3 INTs, 4 PBUs, 1 FF, and 2 FF
LB Bumper Pool: 88 tackles, 6.5 TFL, and 5 PBU
DT Jonathan Marshall: 31 tackles, 6.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU, and 4 QB hurries
Photo credit: Bama Hammer; No. 10 Mac Jones vs. Mississippi State