Alabama vs Arkansas Game Preview: Everything You Need To Know Before Kickoff
The University of Alabama will wrap up homecoming celebrations this week with an SEC West matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Hogs come to town without a win in conference and riding a current 10-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide.
Here's all the info you need to get ready for Saturday night's game.
No. 1 Alabama (6-0) vs Arkansas (2-3)
When: Saturday, October 14 at 6:15 PM/CT
Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL
Weather: It won't feel like mid-October on Saturday as temperatures are supposed to be near 90 degrees during the day and in the low 80s at kickoff. Expect a humid day so it will feel hotter than it actually is.
TV: ESPN (Play-by-play: Joe Tessitore, color analyst: Todd Blackledge, sideline reporter: Holly Rowe)
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-by-play: Eli Gold, color analyst: Phil Savage, sideline reporter: Chris Stewart). Listen on 95.3 the Bear and Tide 102.9/100.9 in Tuscaloosa.
Spread: Alabama is a 30-point favorite over Arkansas, according to Bovada. The Crimson Tide is 3-3 ATS in 2017.
Series History: These two programs have only met 27 previous times with Alabama leading the all-time series 17-8 (after vacations and forfeits). The series had been pretty even until Nick Saban showed up in Tuscaloosa. As the head coach, Saban is 10-0 against Arkansas and each of those wins came by an average of more than three touchdowns.
Last Meeting: Alabama traveled to Fayetteville to face No. 16 Arkansas, and the Crimson Tide got off to a quick start behind Jalen Hurts. The quarterback rushed for two touchdowns in the first 10 minutes of the game to grab a 14-0 lead. The Razorbacks cut the lead to seven points but Alabama scored on a defensive touchdown, a long touchdown pass to Damien Harris, and a long Bo Scarbrough run to take a 35-10 lead late in the second quarter. Minkah Fitzpatrick would add a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth as Bama closed out the Hogs, 49-30.
Last Week: After a record-setting start to conference play, Alabama had a tougher time with Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide offense couldn't find its rhythm at times but still managed to methodically take a 24-3 lead. Costly penalties, a fumble, and a blocked punt kept the Aggies in the game until the final seconds when Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered and returned an onside kick to put the game away. The 27-19 win was the smallest margin of victory for the Tide through the first half of the season.
Turnovers were the story in Columbia, South Carolina as Arkansas had a bad conference loss last Saturday. The Razorbacks threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles which led to three defensive touchdowns for the Gamecocks. South Carolina took a 41-10 lead in the fourth quarter as the game was never really in doubt. Arkansas redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Kelley came in for an injured Austin Allen to throw for 140 yards, one touchdown, and one pick in the fourth quarter.