Alabama rushing offense vs. Arkansas rushing defense

Before quarterback Tua Tagovailoa injured his ankle in the Tennessee game, the Crimson Tide offense had run the ball only 10 times. Once Mac Jones came into the game, the duo of Najee Harris and Brian Robinson Jr. carried the ball 18 times for 103 yards. For Saturday’s game against Arkansas, expect Alabama to revert to a predominantly rushing attack, especially against the poor Arkansas rushing defense. In the Razorbacks’ two most recent SEC games, they allowed Kentucky to rush for 330 yards, a 6.1-yard average, and let up 298 rushing yards to Auburn, a 5.8-yard average. With Harris and Robinson averaging 5.9 and 4.6 yards per carry, respectively, it could be a career day for both running backs.

The turnover battle

While the Alabama defense has been criticized for most of the season, one of the key aspects where they have been successful is forcing turnovers. The Crimson Tide defense has forced at least one turnover in every game this season, including multiple turnovers in five of seven games. The Razorbacks have turned the ball over 13 times this season, with four coming last week against Auburn. Quarterback Ben Hicks is nursing a shoulder injury, continuing the trend of quarterback uncertainty for the Hogs. The uncertainty could make Hicks or redshirt junior Nick Starkel more error-prone than they have been all season. With all but one Crimson Tide starting defensive back having caught an interception this season, the turnovers could be aplenty.

Alabama punting vs. Arkansas punt return

Alabama has not punted the ball much this season with just 16 attempts, while opponents have punted 39 times. But when the Crimson Tide has punted, it has been woeful, as the punts have been traveling less than 36 yards on average. Against Tennessee, freshman walk-on Ty Perine, unknown to many, shocked fans in the second half with punts of 42 yards and 51 yards. Perine outkicked the coverage on the 51-yarder, which allowed Tennessee returner Marquez Callaway a 22-yard return before he was tackled by none other than Perine. Razorback returner Treylon Burks has averaged 11.3 yards per return, ranking 15th in the nation, and he could pose problems for the Crimson Tide if Perine booms another punt that does not result in a fair catch.