Storylines For Upcoming Arkansas Game

I have decided to add a new section to Raw Meathead that list headlines and storylines that you will probably see a lot over that upcoming week. These are the topics you will see covered for the upcoming Arkansas game.


Leigh Tiffin Returns To Arkansas: It is Alabama's first time back to Fayetteville since Tiffin's freshman meltdown that included a missed extra point in overtime that opened the door for Arkansas to defeat the Tide. Tiffin did not see anymore playing time the rest of the year. Last year, Tiffin redeemed himself against Arkansas by kicking 23 and 41 yard field goals and did not miss an extra point. The meltdown in Arkansas two years ago was not just a turning point for Tiffin's freshman season, it was a trend for that season in which Alabama lost many games by 6 points or less.


Will Alabama Be Looking Past Arkansas: I strongly doubt Coach Saban will allow this to happen after the Tulane game, but The Georgia game will be getting some hype this week. If they do look past Arkansas, look for Alabama to have a very difficult time against a rested Razorback team.


The Razorbacks Have Nine Days To Prepare For Alabama: The cancelation of the showdown between Texas and Arkansas because of Hurricane Ike took away one of Alabama's biggest advantages. Arkansas struggled early in the season against Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe, winning by a combined total of five points, leading me to believe that the Arkansas would have had their hands full with the Longhorns. Like Tulane, Arkansas is getting an extra amount of time to prepare for the Tide. It is going to be interesting to see how a rested and prepared Arkansas team plays on their home field.


Has A Young Alabama Team Learned To Play Consistent: Inconsistency is the number one characteristic I see in young teams and Alabama is no exception. They played great against Clemson, struggled against Tulane and then played well against Western Kentucky. Tulane gave an Eastern Carolina team, which beat Virginia Tech and West Virginia, a run for their money, so maybe they are better than what most expected, but this game will go along way in showing how much a young Tide team has matured in such a short period of time. The Tide has shown they can run the ball, but it's time to turn on the passing game. This game will show whether the Tide has learned to play with a killer instinct no matter who the opponent. This game will be very important in showing the Tide's current season potential in the SEC west.



How Good Is The Tide's Defense: The Alabama Defense allowed their first touchdown against the Hilltoppers, but other than that one play, they have been dominant only allowing 16 points to be scored on them so far. Since Petrino took over the Arkansas program, the team has a different look from the usual running style they've had in the past. Quarterback Casey Dick has thrown for 641 yards and four touchdowns with only one interception. That's a pretty dramatic change from last year where Dick only had 1,695 yards passing the entire season.

Something To Think About Arkansas Weekend

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but the Texas and Arkansas game has been postponed due to Hurricane Ike. This gives Arkansas nine days to prepare for their upcoming game against Alabama at Arkansas. Not to mention a weekend off to rest as opposed to a brutal showdown with the Longhorns.

Alabama's game this week versus Western Kentucky is going to be a momentum setter for the approaching game against the Razorbacks. IF the Tide struggles against the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky, get ready for a tough game against Arkansas.

I know Arkansas has struggled lately against weaker opponents, but expect them to step it up when they begin their SEC schedule against Alabama.

Someone Explain This To Me

I must admit, Alabama's offense looked pretty sluggish after two starting offense linemen sat out the game with injuries therefore causing many other linemen to rotate positions. The line did well enough to help Glenn Coffee and Mark Ingram average over 5 yards per carry. That's not bad in my standard.

The defensive line did great for the second straight week allowing only six points -- totaling 9 points allowed through the first two games.

The one thing I do not understand is how journalists are commending the Crimson Tide's special teams unit. Great, Javier Arenas returned a punt for a touchdown and Chris Rogers recovered a blocked punt and took it in for six, but what about the rest of the special teams. A missed extra point, a missed field goal attempt and a kickoff out of bounds does not sound good to me.

Are You Really Surprised By The Tulane Game?

The biggest flaw of a young immature team is the inability to play consistantly. At a young age, it's also much easier to play as the under-dog than to be the top dog. Going into a game against a lesser opponent with high expectations from a big win in week one is like trying to run around with a 600 lbs. gorilla on your back.

The Tulane game was just as much of a test as playing in the Georgia Dome against #9 Clemson. A young Alabama time learned a big lesson in the Tulane game in that they have to have a killer instinct in every single game they play. Not having you head straight and going into games against teams like Louisian-Monroe, Tulane, Western Kentucky and Arkansas St., that having nothing to lose, you are eventually going to get upset.

The Tide has been taught a lesson now there will be another test this coming Saturday. Will this team pass that test?