Alabama vs. Arkansas – Game Preview – October 1, 2022 – ESPN

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — — The final time Arkansas knocked off Alabama, Nick Saban was teaching the Miami Dolphins.

The Razorbacks’ 2006 win over the Crimson Tide got here a 12 months previous to Saban taking up at Alabama. Since his arrival, Arkansas has misplaced 15 straight to its SEC West Division rival, the Hogs’ longest mark in opposition to any opponent.

The Twentieth-ranked Razorbacks will get one other crack at ending the streak Saturday once they host No. 2 Alabama.

Saban isn’t overlooking the Razorbacks, regardless of his success in opposition to them. Arkansas had the Crimson Tide on the ropes final 12 months within the fourth quarter in a recreation Alabama received 42-35.

“Psychologically, I believe everybody has to know that is the hardest problem of the 12 months,” Saban mentioned.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman and his Razorbacks rose to No. 10 within the AP Prime 25 previous to a 23-21 loss in opposition to Texas A&M final week. The Razorbacks’ Cam Little bounced a subject aim off the highest of the proper upright that will have given them the lead late.

“I see how they misplaced,” Saban mentioned. “I’m certain they’re very disenchanted. I’m certain they’ll be upset with the way in which the sport ended.”

Pittman mentioned for his group to have an opportunity at profitable, it can take fearlessness. He pointed to final 12 months’s shut consequence as motive to imagine Arkansas is up for the problem.

“Bama, they will beat you earlier than you even run out on the sector,” Pittman mentioned. “I believe what occurs if you play anyone shut and also you begin having some perception that you already know we received fairly good group … that’s the place we’re at now with our soccer group.”

Alabama quarterback Bryce Younger broke a 52-year-old faculty document by passing for 559 yards in opposition to the Razorbacks final 12 months. He faces an Arkansas squad that has given up the sixth-most passing yards per recreation within the FBS.

“(He has) lots of confidence in every thing he does,” Pittman mentioned of Younger. “Whether or not he’s throwing, whether or not he’s scrambling, staying within the pocket till the final second — when he will get exterior the pocket he simply appears to be like comfy. Like ‘I may run it for a landing,’ ‘I can throw it for a landing,’ ‘I’m simply gonna do sort of whichever one I determine to do.’”

SANDERS FACES OLD TEAM

Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders transferred from Alabama within the offseason and has made his presence felt with the Hogs in tackles for loss (6.5), sacks (5.5) and compelled fumbles (2) via 4 video games. Sanders additionally ranks second in whole tackles with 31.

He’ll get an opportunity to play his former group Saturday, together with his freshman 12 months roommate and star linebacker, Will Anderson Jr.

“I’m very comfortable for Drew,” Anderson mentioned. “He’s getting what he deserves. He’s been taking part in extraordinarily nicely. I’m comfortable for him, very pleased with him.”

BOUNCING BACK

The Razorbacks weren’t comfortable to drop their Southwest Traditional rivalry recreation in opposition to Texas A&M, however Pittman mentioned the group can’t afford to dwell on it.

“I went again and talked to all of our youngsters Saturday evening,” Pittman mentioned. “We’ve got two losses within the final 10 video games, however the loss hurts. Some children have been crying. We’re going to flush it out of right here within the first half of our assembly, then the second half we might be on to Alabama. We don’t have time to mope.”

TURNING DOWN THE TIDE

Whereas Pittman was teaching the Razorbacks as offensive line coach below Bret Bielema, he turned down a proposal from Saban.

“I had simply been right here about 4 or 5 weeks and had been speaking with gamers about loyalty and this and that, and you’ll’t be hypocritical,” Pittman mentioned. “And my mother informed me she didn’t increase a son that will do this. In order that ended that dialog.”

ANDERSON JR. UNAFRAID

In what might be Alabama’s first SEC street problem of 2022, Anderson will not be afraid of hostile environments.

“I inform folks on a regular basis, the audacity for the opposite group to even step on the sector is disrespectful to me,” Anderson Jr. mentioned. “I believe folks ask me what motivates me, and I say, ‘The audacity for the followers to point out up and for the group to return step on the sector and play.’ That’s my very own little factor in my head that I do.”

PLAYING THE POLL

Saban’s 96 profession wins over AP Prime 25 groups is probably the most in school soccer historical past. He’s third in true street wins over ranked opponents with 25.

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Comply with Ethan Westerman on Twitter: twitter.com/EthWestNWA

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