Hurts, Alabama defense, lead way to 49-30 win over Arkansas

Hurts is closing in on Blake Sims’ 350-yard season two years ago.

In the passing game, ArDarius Stewart had a solid night for the Tide, leading the team in receptions with five for 120 yards. Bielema’s history at Arkansas suggests they will improve as the year goes on, but Arkansas just doesn’t have the tools to beat Alabama right now. Last year, Alabama had the clear statistical edge with almost 400 total yards compared to 220 for Arkansas, but it was a close game until the final period.

Arkansas has struggled against mobile quarterbacks like Texas A&M’s Trevor Knight, who ran for 157 yards and two long touchdowns.

Not that anyone needed more reasons to keep Alabama at the top of their ballots, but the Crimson Tide aren’t going anywhere after yet another convincing victory. A non-offensive touchdown could make the difference this Saturday, especially since the game was decided by one point the last time Alabama was in Fayetteville. Arkansas had a bead on him when he elected to run on pass play.

Opponents have plundered the middle of Arkansas’ 4-2-5 defense this season, and if defensive coordinator Robb Smith and his staff have not made successful adjustments, Alabama will peck away at the Hogs to find the chink and then openly exploit it.

There are a handful of positions that Arkansas could ill-afford to lose a starter. Alabama has gone to more spread formations and read option this year at times to take advantage of Jalen Hurts strengths at quarterback. He is fourth in the Southeastern Conference in passing yards with 1,233 yards.

For all of the things Alabama does well, one noticeable need for improvement simply has been the way it has started games.

Fitzpatrick had a historical game for Alabama’s defense, as the defensive back tied a school record with three interceptions and set the school record for yardage on an interception return when he took an interception in the back of the end zone all the way to the house.

Freshman Fullback Hayden Johnson will play Saturday, but will not start following his minor-in-possession arrest last weekend. Harris was a consensus three-star recruit out of Louisiana and his playing time has been sparse this season while Greenlaw took the majority of the snaps. Instead, he quickly goes back to the mistakes he believes he made in the game-ones he felt cost Ole Miss the win and a trip to Atlanta.

College Station plays host to the biggest game in the SEC this week, which premieres two of only three SEC teams still undefeated.

Arkansas: The Razorbacks have a mess on their hands on the offensive line. As a result, they have to pass with an offensive line ill-suited for pass protection at this point.

Last meeting: Arkansas led at halftime, but Alabama pulled away for a 27-14 victory on October 10, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. This was a game many thought could be sloppy as the Hogs could likely be caught looking forward to their matchup with Alabama seven days later. Two plays later he found Keon Hatcher in the endzone for a 16 yard touchdown.

But it was Fitzpatrick’s day to shine, as the ultra-quick corner jumped a route in the end zone and returned the interception 100 yards for a touchdown that helped Alabama increase its lead to 49-24. He had a 65-yard return called back against Alcorn State because of a penalty. Including his pick-six this year against Western Kentucky, Jackson has had three career interceptions for touchdowns.

Despite Cornelius’ emergence, Arkansas has not lost production from its other receivers. Despite facing vast pressure and taking several hard shots in the backfield, he engineered a long scoring drive that ended in a 24-yard touchdown strike to tight end Jeremy Sprinkle.