Game Prediction: #2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #20 Arkansas Razorbacks

The Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) are as soon as once more contenders for a title, and the Arkansas Razorbacks (3-1) are nonetheless a risk within the West regardless of its loss final week. Arkansas is surging and want to knock off the defending SEC Champs. Will probably be a battle, and the Razorbacks competed onerous towards the Tide a yr in the past.

All of that makes this among the best matchups of the weekend. IB has damaged down the sport and now it is time to make our predictions.

BRYAN DRISKELL, PUBLISHER

Prediction: Alabama 34, Arkansas 24

Arkansas is actually ascending below Sam Pittman, however they are not fairly on Alabama’s stage at this level. Alabama’s offense hasn’t blown me away this season, as each their offensive line and talent expertise is not the place it has been in current seasons. What makes all of it work, nevertheless, is star quarterback Bryce Younger.

Arkansas nonetheless lacks the expertise wanted on protection to really compete with and beat a staff like Alabama. We noticed that final season as properly, however this yr Alabama is a lot better on protection, which does not bode properly for the Razorbacks. I do not assume they’ve sufficient firepower on the perimeter to drag off this sort of upset.

On the opposite aspect, though the Tide aren’t the elite offensive unit they have been previously, they’ve sufficient to get this one carried out due to Younger. I believe this recreation will probably be shut for a bit, however Alabama and Younger will draw back within the closing two quarters.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Arkansas 21

The upstart Hogs are turning heads however they aren’t able to compete fully with the large canines simply but. Alabama remains to be the beast of the SEC and I don’t see that altering this week.

SHAUN DAVIS, RECRUITING ANALYST

Prediction: Alabama 31, Arkansas 24

Alabama’s quarterback, Bryce Younger, threw for 385 yards and 4 TDs on 25-of-36 passing in a 55-3 dwelling win vs. Vanderbilt final Saturday. The competitors will probably be a litte more durable because the Crimson Tide head to Fayetteville with the Razorbacks coming off a troublesome 23-21 loss towards Texas A&M. Arkansas let one get away after dominating early after which surrendering 23 unanswered factors. The Razorbacks lead FBS with 20 sacks, led by former Alabama linebacker Drew Sanders, who has 5.5 sacks to guide the nation. KJ Jefferson and the offense can’t go chilly on this matchup.

SEAN STIRES, STAFF WRITER

Prediction: Alabama 31, Arkansas 20

Alabama’s at the moment a 17.5 level favourite towards the Razorbacks. The Tide hasn’t had a Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith-type receiver step up in that deep risk position and Arkansas has one of the best go rush within the nation that ought to a minimum of make issues tough for Bryce Younger. 

RYAN ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING

Prediction:  Alabama 31, Arkansas

I’ve been on document absolutely supporting Sam Pittman and the course that he’s taking Arkansas. He has established his id, together with an excellent offensive line and dynamic run recreation behind Raheim “Rocket” Sanders and quarterback KJ Jefferson.

It’s simply onerous to be towards Alabama, even with some uneven play to date. In the long run, Bryce Younger is the distinction maker. He’s only a completely different caliber of passer proper now in comparison with Jefferson and the separator on this recreation.

ANDREW McDONOUGH, IB CONTRIBUTOR

Prediction: Alabama 38, Arkansas 17

This recreation misplaced a few of its luster when Arkansas allowed 23 unanswered factors to Texas A&M final weekend in a 23-21 loss to the Aggies, denying us a matchup of undefeated SEC West groups. There isn’t any relaxation for the Hogs this weekend, as Alabama involves Fayetteville. Nobody can overlook the one different time that Alabama went on the street this season, when the Tide bought all they may deal with at Texas and wanted Bryce Younger heroics and a last-second discipline purpose to outlast the Longhorns. 

Nonetheless, I do not count on Alabama to come back out flat in a second straight street recreation, and fairly frankly, Alabama is a foul matchup for Arkansas. The Razorbacks depend on the operating recreation, averaging 243.8 YPG, however Alabama brings the SEC’s top-ranked speeding protection (and #4 within the nation) into the matchup. Alabama’s purpose will probably be to pressure Arkansas into loads of third-and-longs, and that’s the place the Tide excel, permitting opponents to transform solely 18.6% of third-downs, good for tops within the SEC and second nationally. 

IB STAFF STANDINGS

Bryan – 15-4
Vince – 14-5
Shaun – 13-6
Sean – 13-6
Ryan – 13-6
Andrew – 11-8

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