[Jimmydafreak]

I think the two salient questions in this game are "can Bama's pass rush disrupt the rhythm of a slow-footed Ryan Mallett?", and the second is, "can Arkansas avoid falling behind big, early?" If both of those questions favor the Razorbacks, then they should cover, and have a chance to win outright. If the answer to those two questions favor Bama, then it'll be a long day for Arkansas, and Arkansas bettors.

Bama clearly has a very physical and stout defense. The question is can they generate a sufficient pass rush to regularly effect Mallet? I answer that question in the affirmative for three reasons.

The first is that Arkansas does not have a dink and dunk type of passing attack. They like to throw the ball down field, and that is understandable given they have a QB with probably the strongest arm in the country. But their vertical passing style should provide Bama's front 7 ample opportunities to disrupt Mallett.

Second, because Bama is so effective at stuffing the run, they will be able to dedicate a lot of people to rushing the passer.

Lastly, Mallett is not very mobile, so the defensive ends won't be overly concerned with containment.

Bama's best pass rusher is Marcell Dareus. Dareus had his name called frequently on national tv in the VT game, and finished with 2 sacks. Nobody has been able to block this guy all season, and I seriously doubt Arky will fare much better. Accordingly, I think Dareus will have a huge multiple-sack game, and LB Donte Hightower may as well. Expect at east 5 sacks from Bama's front 7.

Bama will win this game because Arky's defense will simply get steam-rolled. As I said in my preseason writeup, Bama has one of the best offensive teams in the nation, and will score pretty much at will on the Razorbacks' soft defense. I think they will score almost everytime they have the ball, and will finish with 45-55 points. I expect a final score of something like 45-17 or 45-24 - something in that range.

I really hate the 17.5-point line here, but I do think Bama will win this by 3 TDs plus, but the play I really, like here is OVER 58. I think this game will eclipse that mark.

Thus, my recommendation is to avoid the temptation to jump on the points, and play OVER the total!!!

[iwutitan]

Completelly with you on the over

[BamaBill67]

Rain in Tuscaloosa today.....90%

[hawk 5]

I'm on -17.5, Bama's Defense is just too good.

[odusmykal]

I believe Bama will walk away with the victory, but only by about 9-12 points.. I'm gonna roll the dice and take Arkansas plus the 17.5..

[mmike032]

Mallet will be on his back all game. We seen last week that the few times UGA got pressure on him he folded.
He has lead weights attached to his shoes. I expect Bamas pass rush to be light years ahead of GAs

[Mac4Lyfe]

That's a lot of points in SEC play. It's about right but I'm going to lay off this one and just watch/enjoy.

[twincities77]

A little too many points for me too, but Alabama looks like the best team in the country to me right now, aside from the Gators.

[aman86]

like arkansas not to lose by 18+, mallet looked great in the 1st half but then couldn't move his feet in the second...hopefully he'll fix that or else it could be trouble. bama just hasn't been able to prove they deserve to give this many points, they played a good vt but i still think miami handles them today

[Jimmydafreak]

like arkansas not to lose by 18+, mallet looked great in the 1st half but then couldn't move his feet in the second...hopefully he'll fix that or else it could be trouble. bama just hasn't been able to prove they deserve to give this many points, they played a good vt but i still think miami handles them today

I agree that the Miami/VT game is very intriguing on many levels including the one you point out.

It's also hard to argue against taking 18 points in any interconference SEC game. In the end, however, I just don't think Arky can score with Bama in this one. Bama's O is just too much!!!

[brock]

Alabama seems like the correct play.

[jackpot269]

Im taking the points and im a Alabama homer look for something like 21-10 or 20-7 type game unless a lot of turnovers !!!!!

[coachr1]

i like bama here arkansas defense is horrible. i think arkansas will have to score 30 on alabama to cover this one. i dont think the chances of that happening are very good

[Jimmydafreak]

Im taking the points and im a Alabama homer look for something like 21-10 or 20-7 type game unless a lot of turnovers !!!!!

Dude??? Are you serious??? Bama will have 21 points in the 1st quarter!!!

[jackpot269]

Dude??? Are you serious??? Bama will have 21 points in the 1st quarter!!!

I feel if they do get a big lead they will have a let down and let Ark. back in game i.e. Georgia last year, Alabama traditional don't blow people out!! JMO ROLL TIDE

[jackpot269]

A few long time consuming drives by Bama could shorten game!!! Anyway GL !! ROLL TIDE ROLL

[Jasonal_98]

I'm not touching this game (Bama grad who never bets Bama games), but it seems to me that Vegas is begging people to take Arkansas based on the line. Just based on that, I'd go Bama, but not putting my $$ where my mouth is.

The weather looks rough and could affect Arkansas' passing game. Combine that with Bama's running game, I lean toward the under.

[Jimmydafreak]

I have not pulled the trigger on the OVER yet due to the whether. I'll make a decsion just prior to kickoff based on a pre-kickoff weather report.