AP
John Parker Wilson couldn't help himself. After getting driven into the ground by Jake Bequette, fellow Arkansas defensive end Damario Ambrose felt the need to come over and get in the quarterback's face late in the third quarter of Alabama's 49-14 win over Arkansas. Wilson smiled, put his arm around Ambrose like an old friend and pointed at the scoreboard as if it was picturesque sunset he couldn't miss. "Look at that," he yelled. "Just look at that."
The scoreboard at that point in the game -- Alabama 42, Arkansas 7 -- really said everything that needed to be said.
Any doubts that Alabama was for real following its swift rise up the rankings were quickly squelched in the first quarter of a game that quickly got out of hand. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Nick Saban's group forced Bobby Petrino to change his game plan early, jumping out to an early 21-0 lead. Alabama has now outscored its opponents 78-0 in the first quarter over its first four games.
The most noticeable difference with Alabama this season has been the play of Wilson, who after enduring three offensive coordinators in three years may have finally found his match in first-year coordinator Jim McElwain. The Tide are now a balanced team with equal parts big-play ability and ball-control stability. For every 80-plus-yard touchdown run, they have 10-play drive that eats up the clock and wears out the defense. 'Bama already has 10 drives of 10 or more plays this season.
Few teams in the country are as stacked as the Crimson Tide on both the offensive and defensive lines and both units showcased their dominance early in the game. With Andre Smith back at left tackle, the Tide continued to run left behind Smith, Mike Johnson and Antoine Caldwell for 331 rushing yards, including an 87-yard touchdown by Glen Coffee, the fourth-longest run in Alabama history.
The Alabama defense, which came into the game allowing an NCAA-best 42.7 rushing yards per game, gave up over twice that amount against the Razorbacks (92 yards), but came up big when it mattered most. At the end of the first half, Arkansas had a first-and-goal inside the two-yard line. With 6-foot-5, 380-pound junior defensive tackle Terrence Cody clogging up the middle, the Razorbacks came away scoreless after three runs and an incomplete pass.
Next week Alabama travels to Sanford Stadium to take on Georgia. If Georgia takes care of Arizona State tonight in the desert, 'Bama-UGA will undoubtedly be the biggest game on next week's schedule. While the Dawgs have been able to get by so far this season with an offensive line in flux (the offense was basically non-existent in last week's 14-7 win over South Carolina), they'll need to play like the team most thought they'd be in the preseason if they're going to defeat Alabama. With their imposing fronts on each side of the ball, the Crimson Tide are suddenly a major player in the SEC and on the national scene, for that matter.
Christine Teigen
Hannah Teter
Arizona Rattlers Cheerleaders
Biggest Retirements of 2010
Comments (55) Add A Comment
It is soooo satisfying to read these pundits doing a 180 about the Tide. Was it not the same writers that pointed to the lack of depth on the D-line? The same ones that were predicting MAYBE a 7-4 finish for Bama? Boy, sure is a rush for the bandwagon now.
While all the "I told you so" is nice, we still have to see what happens next week. If they come in and dominate Georgia (which they are capable of) then I think that the Tide has to be thought of in the national picture.
Hmmm, Bama's D against Tebow and the Gators in Atlanta? Now THAT is an interesting matchup. Watching Florida today, they sure do seem two dimensional - Tebow & Harvin. Take that away and where is their offense? I think the fast Bama D matches up very well against the Gators.
But before I get to ahead of myself, lets bring on the Dawgs.
BruceS1G
Pelham , AL
Total Comments (7625)
Oh. So you did find something interesting to watch after all.
beachgator
Total Comments (544)
Alabama's start offensive and defensive lines are very good, but I would not call them "stacked" as they do not have much of a bench. I would not say that Wilson has looked much improved this year from the past. Alabama has the components to play with anyone but I think it's best to take it one game at a time as an Alabama fan because the team is probably only one or two injuries away from being a much weaker team. In another year or two, that probably won't be the case.
schrecklich
New Haven , CT
Total Comments (16)
offensive line I agree. Defensive line another story. Saban has been playing an eight man rotation all season, during all phases of the game, and there has been little or no drop off. Granted, they are young, but they are playing very well. This is also true for the linebackers. And DB's.
No, even with a lot a young guys playing, the depth situation has not been a great issue. And they have been playing with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. So far. So I am still going to remain optimistic.
BruceS1G
Pelham , AL
Total Comments (7625)
Nice game, 'Bama. Saban may be the best coach in the country.
KingFootball
Total Comments (4711)
Thanks King. It's coming together.
I gotta tell you, after watching Georgia, LSU, and AU today I like our chances in the SEC West.
But next week WILL be the real test of this team. Big win on the road today, but against not a great team. To win next week at Athens would be a major statement.
BruceS1G
Pelham , AL
Total Comments (7625)
Next week will be the true test of our team, win or lose next week as long as we do like Saban says and finish. We will be a force to be feared in the SEC West
Brockone76
Gillette, WY
Total Comments (382)
As a Georgia fan I've been concerned about next week since last season ended. Next Saturday on ESPN might end up being the best game of the season to this point. Bama's dominant line vs. Georgia skill players.
For god's sake, if Georgia can just control their penalties. If we are penalized for 100 yards against a team like Alabama it will cost us the game.
ceteris paribus
Athens , GA
Total Comments (172)
Oh yeah, I forgot, the Pac-10 officially sucks.
ceteris paribus
Athens , GA
Total Comments (172)
Roll Tide !!!!!!
I think the GA game and also the LSU and Auburn games become more important everyday. I don't think Auburn will fall too much in the ranks even though it lost.
That means we would have played at least 4 ranked teams by the end of the season.
Inxsible
Total Comments (40)
No question next weeks game could be a barnburner....if only because the SEC is STILL the dominant conference. Alabama looks really good this year, although both UGA and 'Bama have their weak spots. Hey, I am looking forward to this one next week...wish I could be there in person! And the Pac-10 fans....please, just get with the program and admit you got USC and no one else.....
Red_And_Black_Attack
New Market , MD
Total Comments (18)
Terrence Cody is the modern Gilbert Brown. That guy is a freaking cornerpost. He blocks more lanes than a traffic accident. I've already surmised that Bama wins by 10 in Athens. Talk about "Red Storm Rising" - Bama is for real.
UF-G8R
Colorado Springs , CO
Total Comments (188)
What I hate about the SEC is that all the top teams have to play each other. USC has a joke of a schedule left but Georgia has the toughest schedule in the nation. There is a big, big difference in playing 1 or 2 tough teams a year versus 4 or 5.
I think Alabama is a year away but you have to love what Saban has done there.
KingFootball
Total Comments (4711)
Lets wait till 'bama actually plays someone before we crown their ****.
OhioDore
Total Comments (147)
We learned some important things this week:
Michigan State can beat Ohio State (they do play right?)
Penn State will beat Ohio State
Wisconsin will beat Ohio State
USC is head and shoulders above everyone else in the Pac 10 and a shade better then the best SEC teams. Virginia turned out to be lousy and OSU has struggled against Ohio AND Toledo. Meeechigan stinks.
The SEC has 5 legitimate great teams (UGA, UF, LSU, UA, Auburn) and a few decent ones that can beat you if you don't show up (SCeast, Vandy!!!, and UK).
Notre Dame is a year or 2 away. Florida State was exposed again. GT is the class of the ACC!!!
Oklahoma and Missouri are the real deal and will be in the chase.
Paul Johnson is the best coach in college football and Rick Petrino's character has finally come home to roost and effected his coaching (who wants to play for a turd?)
SEC_PAC_FAN
Total Comments (355)
I think, given the strength of their conferences, the winners of the SEC and Big 12 may deserve to be in the BCS championship game. USC also has a great team -- it would be nice if their conference were tougher -- but they likely will be relatively untested during the season.
We will see where Bama stands after the Georgia game. There is definitely improvement from last year, but there are depth issues still for the entire season. Bama has thus far avoided any major injuries. This is due partly to coaching, and partly to luck. Whether Bama can continue avoiding injuries may determine its role on the national scene.
Catch Prothro
Shelbyville, MO
Total Comments (1)
Does Saban or Allabama have you on their payroll? I mean how did you pick Alabama? Was this dart? My God SI pays you to write this stuff. I mean Arkansas is incredibly bad at this point. It was just a beat down.
They haven't played a strong opponent yet and Tulane played them toe to toe.
poydrasisback
Fort Wayne , IN
Total Comments (2)
Just win Saturday, then Bama fans can talk. And you've still got LSU and Auburn down the road.
Jayddrew
Total Comments (153)
Lets wait till 'bama actually plays someone before we crown their ****.
Well, let us compare schedules between Bama and Ohio State. Yes they did beat the trojans yesterday (Troy Alabama Trojans though). No one in the SEC schedules these wannabe's. Granted OSU probably will turn over their offense to the new quarterback Pryor. Without the cream puff schedules of OSU (the two in-state JC's plus Troy)what would their record be????
Another question for you, what is OSU's record against Alabama through history?????? Don't look too hard but it is not good. The big 10 should change its name to the little 10.
GoBama08
Huntsville , AL
Total Comments (3)
Jayddrew
The difference between reasonable fans and irresponsible ones can be seen in the negativeness in the postings. I watched the Auburn Game last night and was not surprised that Auburn lost because LSU is the defending National Champion. We only look toward the next game, not down the road to the end of the season. Bama will play them one game at a time and we will see how their season ends after the Auburn game. Tuberville's new offense does not seem to be working too good and you can see the results. LSU was lucky to beat Auburn last night but they won and it is recorded in the "W" column.
GoBama08
Huntsville , AL
Total Comments (3)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.