Crimson Red Sports

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Microphones couldn't capture the eyes.

No matter how sharp the words, the looks on the faces told more.

Alabama's players told reporters what happened Saturday, but the Tide's deeper stares told the real story.

This team has killer instinct.

Third-ranked Alabama pummeled No. 14 Arkansas with an unforgiving display of dominance in a 38-14 victory in front of 101,821 fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

What drove the Tide?

"Motivation," Alabama safety Mark Barron said. "They (the Razorbacks) were doing a lot of talking as well, so we most definitely wanted to shut that up."

The winning began with the opening coin flip.

Alabama wanted the ball so it could swing its fist first and hard.

The bully mentality resulted in an 80-yard opening drive that ended with a touchdown pass from AJ McCarron to Michael Williams disguised initially as a 54-yard field goal attempt on fourth-and-4 at Arkansas' 37-yard line.

Before the snap, the Tide shifted from field goal formation to shotgun.

Arkansas scrambled to defend it, but Williams had already slipped behind coverage to make the open catch in for a 7-0 lead.

Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy sent a Tweet informing his followers Alabama had worked on the play often.

"I just finally said today the first time we got into field goal range regardless of the situation...we were gonna run it," Saban said. "...If practice means anything we executed it well.

Arkansas (3-1, 0-1) offered its best counter punch in the first quarter with a power drive of its own. Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson (22-for-35, 185 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) completed a 63-yard drive to tie the game at 7 after a 10-yard touchdown pass to Dennis Johnson.

Alabama went on a roll for the next four scores to take a 31-7 lead through three quarters.