Arkansas Grades

The first step in making pulled pork barbecue is slaughtering a hog.

In other words, a delicious finished product that delights party guests and feeds family gatherings, can have a messy aspect that borders on disgusting. That describes Alabama's 49-30 victory over the Razorbacks. A three-score win over an SEC West rival that has played Bama very close the last two years, is delightful. Adding two more defensive touchdowns to a nation-leading season total is delicious. Watching true freshman, Jalen Hurts, confidently guide the Tide offense to four touchdowns, 214 net rushing yards, and nearly 400 yards of total offense all in the first half is like adding a big bowl of banana pudding to that BBQ pork combination plate. 

And then?

Indigestion.

That is the most polite way I can describe the feeling induced by surrendering 473 yards of total offense, giving up 25 first down, losing two fumbles, throwing an interception and allowing Arkansas 48 offensive plays in the second half (only three snaps short of Alabama's total number of offensive plays in the game). Arkansas had this trick play called "Throw The Ball To The Open Receiver" that Alabama's defensive backs just could not seem to figure out. The Hogs must have run that play a dozen times, including on the game's final play, a 29 yard completion to Jared Cornelius.  And this was no "garbage time" gain, folks, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ronnie Harrison were in coverage. Coach Saban ripped his head phones off and threw them to the turf. I hope the athletics department has better "repair or replace" coverage than I do on my family's cell phone plan. Otherwise, paying the deductible might delay salary increases for the defensive staff. 

Coach Saban could not conceal his dyspeptic expression as the ESPN on-field reporter asked about the Tide's inconsistent defensive performance. The Tide's inability to get the defense off the field in the second half had to be hard on Saban's digestion. 

If all you saw was the highly edited ESPN replay, you might think that Alabama played a flawless game and Arkansas just happened to start each of its scoring drives on the Tide side of the 50.  The game book, however, tells a different story. So having taken one of those over the counter indigestion pills, here is how I grade the game:

Offense: B Alabama gained 517 total offensive yards (264 rushing) on only 51 plays from scrimmage (an average of 10.1 yards per play).  Jalen Hurts accounted for each of Bama's 17 pass attempts and completed 13. He threw one interception. Ardarius Stewart returned to action after missing two games due to a knee injury and he led all receivers with 120 yards on 5 receptions. His longest catch and run gained 67 yards, but he lost a fumble on the play at the Hog 3 yard line. Calvin Ridley caught 3 passes for 14 tough yards and a TD. Damien Harris caught 2 passes for 60 yards and a score. Six Tide players caught passes, including Miller Forristall [Fr. TE; 6-5, 220; Cartersville, Ga.]. Make a note of that name, I think you will hear or read it again.

Damien Harris was Bama's leading rusher with 122 net yards on 13 carries. His 60 receiving yards made him the game's all-purpose yardage leader. Josh Jacobs gained 57 yards on 3 carries, but he lost a fumble at the Pigs' goal line on Bama's first possession of the game. Bo Scarbrough, gained 56 yards on 7 carries and scored a rushing touchdown. Jalen rushed for 2 TDs and gained 20 net yards on the ground. 

The Tide offense mounted five sustained drives [80, 73, 81, 66, 67] that produced 3 TDs and 2 lost fumbles. Three turnovers are enough to justify a grade that does not otherwise reflect the statistics.

Defense: C+ What?  Really? Has the Commissioner lost his mind? C+ for a defensive performance that achieved 9 tackles for lost yardage (6 sacks), only 75 yards rushing, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, 5 breakups, 12 hurries and 2 touchdowns? 

It may be harsh, but giving up 473 yards, 25 first downs [5 by penalty], 8 conversions on 16 third downs, and 37:07 of possession time, would merit a failing grade if not for the stellar play elsewhere on defense. 

Ryan Anderson had a career high of 9 tackles [4 solo] including 2 for 15 yards of lost yardage, and hurried the Hog QB. He was also penalized for a personal foul and gave up a touchdown on busted coverage. Shaun Dion Hamilton also recorded 9 tackles [1.5 for lost yards] and forced a fumble. Ronnie Harrison was credited with 8 tackles, and Rahsaan Evans recorded 7 [3 solo]. 

Minkah Fitzpatrick tied two Alabama records with his 3 interceptions in the game, one of which he returned for a TD, giving him a record-tying 3 pick-six plays in his career. His 100 yard interception return set the record in that category, eclipsing Mark McMillian's 98 yard interception return against Chattanooga on Oct. 5, 1991.

Special Teams:

Punting: A+ JK Scott punted only 4 times for an average of 51.5. His longest punt carried 63 yards. He dropped 20 inside the 20 and his other 2 were touchbacks. Alabama allowed zero punt return yards.

Kick Offs: A Griff averaged 61.1 yards on 8 kickoffs [4 touch backs]. The return team allowed 87 yards in kick returns, but forced and recovered a fumble that set the offense in business at the Hog 29 yard line.

Place Kicking: A+ Griff was perfect on 7 PATs.

Coaching: B+ The participation report lists 64 players who saw action in the game. Bama was penalized 7 times for 86 yards. In my opinion, the play calling of offense was excellent. It is hard to know exactly what specific defensive plays were called, but the Tide pass rush was ruthlessly effective all night. Coverage in the secondary was the glaring deficiency. It certainly did not escape Coach Saban's notice. I fully expect corrective actions is already underway.

If you have any left over pulled pork today, make sure it's all eaten, frozen for storage, or donated to a worthy cause. The first of Bama's three daunting October games is over. Tennessee Week starts today.

In College Station, the Vols ran out of rabbits feet and all the other lucky charms they have employed this season. Nevertheless, they have proven themselves to be the best second half team in the country. Alabama cannot play another second half like they did against Arkansas and expect to leave Knoxville unbeaten. 

The most important game of the season so far awaits the Tide in that brick and exposed-steel eye-sore on the banks of the Tennessee River. The Vols and their fans want nothing more this season than to break their two most galling losing streaks. They achieved their first goal in September, coming from behind to beat Florida. They will leave nothing in the locker room this coming Saturday. 

Buckle your chin straps extra tight, y'all.      

The Commissioner