Five biggest questions for Arkansas ahead of Alabama game
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- After suffering a heartbreaking loss for the first time this season, the No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks are looking to rebound with a matchup against No. 2 Alabama on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide enter the game a perfect 4-0 on the season, boasting three wins of 50 points or more, but Razorback head coach Sam Pittman and his team will hope to break that trend on Saturday.
Here are the five biggest questions heading into Saturday's matchup.
1. Can Hogs' secondary stop the Alabama passing attack?
The Arkansas defense is currently 126th out of 131 teams in college football in pass defense, and they are set to go up against Bryce Young, the defending Heisman trophy winner who torched the Hogs for 559 yards and and five touchdowns in a 42-35 win in Tuscaloosa last season.
The Tide lost a lot of their skill players, including star wide receiver's John Metchie III and Jameson Williams, but Pittman and crew know Alabama doesn't rebuild their roster, they reload it.
The defense returned nickel Myles Slusher last week, and he currently holds a PFF grade of 80.8 in 91 snaps this season. Getting him back was big, but one guy can't do it all. He will need plenty of help on the back end to keep the Hogs in this one.
2. Will the offensive line be able to neutralize Will Anderson?
2023 NFL Draft boards have Will Anderson's name listed as a unanimous first round pick. In three seasons at Alabama, Anderson has amassed 29 sacks, 17.5 of those in the 2021 season.
He made headlines Tuesday night when he talked about what motivates him.
“The audacity for the other team to even step on the field is disrespectful to me…the audacity for the fans to show up and for the team to come step on the field and play with us," Anderson said.
Anderson has piled up 4.5 sacks in the 2022 season, but he will be playing a well-coached Arkansas offensive line on Saturday, who will need to find a way to slow him down if they are to be effective on offense.
3. Can the running game roll against an elite defense?
Through four games this season, Alabama ranks third in total scoring defense and fourth in rushing defense, allowing just 7.25 points and 62.5 rushing yards per game. Those stats came against the likes of Vanderbilt, Utah State, Texas and Louisiana-Monroe, who all don't have the same rushing attack that Arkansas has.
Pittman said this week that all of the running backs are playing well and will need to get more touches moving forward.
"I think we’re looking at it as, we probably need to get the ball to Rashod Dubinion a little bit more, too," Pittman said Monday. "AJ (Green)'s continued to improve. I think he had nine rushes or something like that and averaged about four (yards per carry). Him and Rocket both averaged around 4 yards a carry. So we have four guys back there that can really play."
Last weekend against Texas A&M, Arkansas rushed for 244 yards in the loss, above both their average and the average of the Aggie defense, and they'll need a similar outing to have a chance against an Alabama team that is looking to remain perfect on the season.
4. How will KJ Jefferson bounce back?
Last Saturday's contest against Texas A&M was a tough one for Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson. He finished 12-19 with 171 yards and two touchdowns, but a pivotal fumble on the goal line that was returned for a touchdown by Texas A&M proved to be the back-breaking play for the Hogs.
How Jefferson responds is likely how this game will play out. Pittman said Monday that the redshirt junior is just trying to win the game, but has been lackluster with the football.
"I think his ball security hasn't been as good as what it was a year ago carrying it," Pittman said. "I think he just gets caught up in the moment. If you look back at Ole Miss last year, he dove over those three guys and extended the ball and all that kind of stuff. I think he is trying to win the game, and probably that's about it to be honest with you."
5. How will Arkansas crowd affect the game?
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has five true road starts under his belt during his time in Tuscaloosa, and all but one of those games were decided by three points or less, including a three-point loss on the road at Texas A&M last season.
Young has proven to be a calm and composed presence in the huddle for the Crimson Tide, leading his team on what would prove to be a game-winning drive against Texas in Week 2 this season.
Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek has called for a red-out on Saturday, in hopes that the home crowd can will the team to a win.
Pittman said he anticipates it to be the best crowd in Fayetteville during his head coaching tenure.
"I would think this would be the best crowd since I've been here," Pittman said. "The rowdiest, the best...I think everybody's excited, and hopefully we can put on a show for the fans. We'll just have to wait and see."
The two teams will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday inside Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. The game will be broadcast on CBS.