TUSCALOOSA — Matchups don’t get more enticing that the one coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
It’s a matter of coaching specialties meeting veteran lineups stocked with NFL talent.
Arkansas loves throwing deep.
Alabama dares you to try.
Expect no deviation from reputation on Saturday when the No. 14 Razorbacks come to Tuscaloosa for the highly-anticipated SEC opener with the third-ranked Crimson Tide.
Though slanted by competition level, statistical rankings say this will be a showdown for the ages. The Razorbacks (3-0) have the eighth-best passing offense nationally averaging 347 yards a game while the Crimson Tide is ranked second in pass efficiency defense with safety Robert Lester who had the second most interceptions nationally last year.
Alabama coach Nick Saban, who works specifically with cornerbacks in practice, said preparing for Arkansas passing requires the concentration on the level of a pro team.
“They do a lot of the same things out of a lot of different things,” Saban said. “Conceptually, they’re the same things, aight. But it’s typical NFL style. They’re gonna do it some way different that you didn’t practice it.”
How Alabama (3-0) reacts to the alternate looks should improve vastly over last year’s meeting.
With quarterback savvy Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino in charge and Ryan Mallett in the pocket, the Razorbacks covered 74 yards on the first two plays of the game to take a 7-0 lead within a minute.
Inexperience was evident in the young Alabama backfield that saw its No. 1 ranking dangle from a cliff trailing 20-7 late in the third quarter. The 357 Razorback passing yards were the most Alabama surrendered all season. But in the end, the defensive backs created the two defining turnovers leading to the 24-20 comeback win in Fayetteville.
There will be no rookies seeing SEC competition for the first time in Alabama’s secondary Saturday. Though Arkansas’ Tyler Wilson inherited throwing powers from Mallett, he’s no newcomer to league play and his targets consist of mostly juniors and seniors.
Wilson, who is completing 69 percent of his passes this season, made his collegiate debut against the Tide in 2008. He competed 4-of-7 passes including a touchdown in the 49-14 Tide win. More notably, he went 25-for-34 for 332 yards, four touchdowns, but two interceptions as an injury replacement for a 65-43 loss at Auburn last season.
Three of the Razorback receivers — Joe Adams, Greg Childs, and Jarius Wright — rank in the top 10 in program history for both catches and receiving yards.
“They have different routes, a lot more routes,” said Tide safety Robert Lester who had two interceptions against Arkansas last season. “Guys are quick and can run those routes at great speed, and the quarterback is going to put the ball right where it needs to be.”
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