Five questions as the Alabama Crimson Tide prepares for Arkansas
Following its 56-14 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette, Alabama is currently a 34.5-point favorite heading into Saturday’s game against Arkansas. Here are five questions to consider leading up to the matchup.
1. Is this a trap game?
Is it really a trap game if you acknowledge the fact it could be beforehand? Alabama head coach Nick Saban did just that Monday, stating Arkansas is “getting better and better” under first-year head coach Chad Morris.
“This is a very capable team,” Saban said. “This is what I call a little bit of a trap game for us in terms of all the folks out there who look at who they've played and what the scores were and don't get prepared the way you need to get prepared to go play to your standard and the level you have to play to beat any team in the SEC on the road."
Arkansas has lost four games in a row, including a 44-17 defeat to North Texas. However, the Razorback looked like an improved team during last week’s 24-17 loss to Texas A&M. In that game, Arkansas battled back from an early 17-point deficit and had a chance to tie the score late until quarterback Ty Storey was intercepted at the Texas A&M 26-yard line with 1:11 remaining.
Alabama players took note of that performance, and while their head coach might view the matchup as a trap game, they won’t be taking the Razorbacks lightly Saturday.
“I think Arkansas is a great opponent in the SEC West,” Alabama defensive back Trevon Diggs said. “They're a great offense, a great coaching staff, and we don't consider it a trap game. It's just another game for us."