Hogs Host Bama Tonight In Fayetteville
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
While Arkansas has won 10 of its last 12 games, the Hogs have not been able to beat The University of Alabama Crimson Tide since their 24-23 win over Bama in overtime in Fayetteville, Arkansas back in 2006. Since 2006? Yep, nine consecutive losses to Alabama.
The number one ranked Crimson Tide (5-0 overall, 2-0 SEC) once again travels to Fayetteville, Arkansas to do battle with the number 16/18 Razorbacks at Reynolds Razorback Stadium this evening. Alabama leads the series 16-8 (19-7 before forfeited and vacated games) as well as claiming victory in the last nine matchups. Alabama has also won four consecutive meetings in Fayetteville, outscoring the Razorbacks 139-47 during that. Last season, Alabama posted a 27-14 Homecoming win over Arkansas at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban has warned both the Bama faithful and the team that this Arkansas team is for real. While the Tide is expected to defeat the Hogs, it isn't expected to be a cake-walk. The Arkansas quarterback, Austin Allen, could cause the Crimson Tide defense some headaches. So far this season he has passed for 1232 yards, 243 more than Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts in approximately the same number of attempts. Hurts has thrown for five touchdowns this season, while Allen has thrown for 12. Additionally, Allen is not interception-prone. Of course, neither is Hurts. But the big takeaway here is that Allen and the Hogs aren't timid on offense.
Saban spoke about the Arkansas offense this past Thursday night on his weekly radio show saying that many players really aren't used to going up against the I-formation and I-slot. He compared playing Arkansas to back in the day when playing against a Wishbone offense. Saban spoke of the "really good" skill players that the Razorbacks have, and their ability to make explosive plays. He said the team is really focused this week on that Arkansas offense...as well as defense. He said that his guys were going to have to execute in this game "over and over and over again."
The Crimson Tide has now won 17 consecutive football games dating back to last season, with the last loss having been revenged against the Ole Miss Rebels. This 17-game streak just happens to be the longest in the nation, and the Razorbacks would like to be the team to put a stop to it...especially in their own house. The current streak is the longest for the Tide since 2009-10 when Saban and company went for 19 consecutive games.
Though the Alabama offense at times has sputtered, it has been far from ineffective. Add, however, defensive and special teams touchdowns to the mix and you have a scoring machine capable of dominating any football game this season. In fact, the Crimson Tide currently leads the nation in the category of defensive touchdowns. Bama has the most with five, followed by Ohio State with four. Six teams have scored three defensive touchdowns this season, including Ole Miss and Arkansas of the Southeastern Conference.
And who started this five-defensive touchdown streak for the Crimson Tide? It was cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who intercepted USC quarterback Max Browne in the first game of this season. Humphrey returned that deflected pass interception 18 yards for the score.
Safety Eddie Jackson picked up the second defensive score the following week against Western Kentucky. Then in game three the Bama defense added two more defensive scores against Ole Miss. Those came courtesy of Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen. It was Ronnie Harrison who scored the most recent defensive touchdown, last week in the Homecoming matchup with Kentucky.
Most Vegas odds-makers have the Tide around a 14-point favorite in tonight's game. But the boys from Bama must not be complacent. Unfortunately the guys have been prone to a "mental-lapse" in at least one game the past couple of seasons, which is why coach Saban continues to preach mental strength, concentration and fundamentals.
When all is said and done, after tonight the Crimson Tide should still be undefeated, still ranked number one in the nation and sitting on a 6-0, 3-0 record. Alabama and Arkansas face off tonight, with a scheduled 6:05 p.m. CT kickoff.
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Alabama Women's Tennis
Routliffe, Daniell Score A Win At Riviera/ITA Championships
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The duo defeated Virginia Tech's Caroline Daxhelet and Elena Cerezo-Codina in a 8-3 decision. Today Routliffe and Daniell will face the No. 5 ranked doubles team in the country in Anna Sanford and Miho Kowase of Ohio State.
In the second round of the singles main draw yesterday, Routliffe lost to Hayley Carter of North Carolina, 6-2, 6-1.
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Alabama Rowing Opens Season Today
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide rowing team opens its 11th season today at the Chattanooga Head Race in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bama will be competing in five races held on the Tennessee River, with the first one at 8 a.m. CT.
First up for the Tide today is the Women's Collegiate 8+ at 8 a.m. CT with five boats competing in a field of 14. The Tide will race three pairs at 10 a.m. CT which will be immediately followed by three doubles at 10:10 a.m. CT. Alabama will conclude its racing schedule in the afternoon with one boat in the Women's Collegiate Novice 8+ at 2 p.m. CT and four boats in the Women's Collegiate 4+ at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Davis further commented, "We want go out and make sure we're doing the things we want to competitively. We'll know where we are and what we need to adjust before the Head of the Charles in a few weeks, which is a really big regatta. Chattanooga is a good time to shake things down, evaluate people and get familiar with the race course."
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Bama Men's Basketball Picks Up 3rd Commitment
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| Twitter Photo |
The Alabama men's basketball program all of a sudden went from zip to three in only a couple of days. Three-star center prospect Galin Smith announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide last night to become the third player to commit in the class of 2017 since Thursday afternoon.
According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Smith is the No. 23 center and No. 192 overall prospect in the country in the current recruiting class. He is a 6' 10", 220-pounder out of Clinton, Mississippi.
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