No. 1 Alabama (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Arkansas (1-1, 0-0 SEC)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Alabama by 21
Watchability: The top-ranked Crimson Tide hasn’t been threatened yet, but if Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson plays the Razorbacks should make this interesting. Alabama is 1-3 alltime in Fayetteville.
Shining stars: Arkansas: Knile Davis. The 6-foot, 226-pound junior hasn’t really gotten going, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Davis has scored two touchdowns but has yet to flash his 2010 form. With Wilson possibly out, the Razorbacks need big games from Davis and change-of-pace back Dennis Johnson (7.3 ypc). Alabama: AJ McCarron. The junior has thrown 135 passes without an interception, and has six TDs this season in 40 throws. Last year he had a streak of 152 passes without a pick. McCarron took too many sacks last week, but it seems like he never makes the big mistake.
Who could steal the show: Arkansas: Chris Gragg. The 6-3 senior has caught 14 balls for 193 yards and two scores, and will be a safety valve for whoever starts at quarterback. Gragg is a team leader who graduated in May with a degree in sports management. Alabama: Dee Milliner. One of the SEC’s top cover corners, the junior has five interceptions and 20 pass breakups in 27 games played. He missed last week’s 35-0 win over Western Kentucky with a strained hip flexor but is good to go Saturday.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Despite Arkansas’ shocking loss last week, Razorback Stadium will be electric Saturday with a capacity crowd of 72,000-plus. Fans will be calling the hogs with chants of “Woo, Pig Sooie!”
Magic number for Arkansas: 11. The Razorbacks have forced at least one turnover in 11 straight games, and 21 overall in that span. They’ll need at least two Saturday to keep it close.
Magic number for Alabama: 20. The Tide has won 20 straight SEC openers and four straight over Arkansas, including last year’s 38-14 win in Tuscaloosa.
The game comes down to: Wilson isn’t Arkansas’ lone health concern: fullbacks Kiero Small and Kody Walker and cornerback Tevin Mitchel are out with injuries. But Wilson’s status is the biggest question mark. Backup Brandon Allen led a scoring drive on his first possession last week but struggled after that, finishing 6 of 20 for 85 yards with a TD and INT. He also was victimized by dropped passes. The Razorbacks must run the ball effectively to have a chance at the upset. [To read Eye on College Football's keys to the Alabama/Arkansas game, click here.]
Prediction: Alabama 31, Arkansas 17
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.
