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Know the foe: Arkansas should have its hands full with Alabama
Tony Tsoukalas | Alabama team writer
BamaInsider.com team writer Tony Tsoukalas asked five key questions about the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3, 0-2 in the SEC) going into Saturdayās game and HawgSports.comās Trey Biddy answered them.
1) How do you expect the quarterback situation to shake out for the game?
Austin Allen only did light throwing and handoffs on Tuesday, and we didnāt have a chance to talk to him after that. But he said on Tuesday that if he is healthy he will play. He is reportedly doing everything he can in the training room obviously, but my gut tells me theyāll be forced to go with redshirt freshman Cole Kelley. Until the fourth quarter last week, most of Kelleyās action has been in a short-yardage package they call āSteamboat.ā But he did play well given the circumstances last weekend.
2) If Cole Kelley does play, what should Alabama fans know about him?
Heās a big, confident guy at every bit of 6-7, 268, and heās fairly mobile for that size. He also has a really strong arm. Bret Bielema used to say that it took years for Brandon Allen to recover mentally after the former staff gave him his first start as a redshirt freshman following Tyler Wilsonās injury the previous week. The Hogs lost 52-0 that year. While Kelley seems to be ahead of where Allen was back then, this is not an ideal situation for a first start.
3) Is Arkansas going to be able to protect its quarterback whoever it is?
No, the offensive line has been a real eyesore the last two seasons. Whether people point to receivers not getting open or to Allen holding the ball too long, those issues are in addition to the offensive line not protecting Allen. Frank Ragnow has been solid at center, and guards Johnny Gibson and Hjalte Froholdt have had their moments, but they have really struggled at offensive tackle. Arkansas has tried several combinations at tackle but nothing has worked. They still have not played Brian Wallace, who was a big-time recruit and started the second half of last season and fared well. It would not surprise to see them try another combination Saturday.
4) How will Arkansas attack Alabama on defense?
Arkansas will utilize a 3-4 base defense and will typically only rush four defenders with the three down linemen and one of the linebackers. They are not a heavy blitz team. They will play a decent amount of press-man coverage. Arkansas has actually been okay for the most part this season on defense. Twenty-one points last weekend were surrendered on interceptions and fumble returns. They will try to keep everything in front of them and try to capitalize when Alabama makes mistakes.
5) Whatās the mood around Arkansasā locker room heading into the game?
Theyāre saying all the right things obviously, but Iām sure theyāre disappointed in the way the season has started. The talk this week is how if you canāt get up for a game against the No. 1 team in the country you donāt have a pulse. Outside the locker room, even Bret Bielemaās biggest supporters have started to turn on him. Fans are getting more and more vocal with their displeasure, talking about who the next coach should be and the like.
BamaInsider.com - Know the foe: Arkansas should have its hands full with Alabama
Tony Tsoukalas | Alabama team writer
BamaInsider.com team writer Tony Tsoukalas asked five key questions about the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3, 0-2 in the SEC) going into Saturdayās game and HawgSports.comās Trey Biddy answered them.
1) How do you expect the quarterback situation to shake out for the game?
Austin Allen only did light throwing and handoffs on Tuesday, and we didnāt have a chance to talk to him after that. But he said on Tuesday that if he is healthy he will play. He is reportedly doing everything he can in the training room obviously, but my gut tells me theyāll be forced to go with redshirt freshman Cole Kelley. Until the fourth quarter last week, most of Kelleyās action has been in a short-yardage package they call āSteamboat.ā But he did play well given the circumstances last weekend.
2) If Cole Kelley does play, what should Alabama fans know about him?
Heās a big, confident guy at every bit of 6-7, 268, and heās fairly mobile for that size. He also has a really strong arm. Bret Bielema used to say that it took years for Brandon Allen to recover mentally after the former staff gave him his first start as a redshirt freshman following Tyler Wilsonās injury the previous week. The Hogs lost 52-0 that year. While Kelley seems to be ahead of where Allen was back then, this is not an ideal situation for a first start.
3) Is Arkansas going to be able to protect its quarterback whoever it is?
No, the offensive line has been a real eyesore the last two seasons. Whether people point to receivers not getting open or to Allen holding the ball too long, those issues are in addition to the offensive line not protecting Allen. Frank Ragnow has been solid at center, and guards Johnny Gibson and Hjalte Froholdt have had their moments, but they have really struggled at offensive tackle. Arkansas has tried several combinations at tackle but nothing has worked. They still have not played Brian Wallace, who was a big-time recruit and started the second half of last season and fared well. It would not surprise to see them try another combination Saturday.
4) How will Arkansas attack Alabama on defense?
Arkansas will utilize a 3-4 base defense and will typically only rush four defenders with the three down linemen and one of the linebackers. They are not a heavy blitz team. They will play a decent amount of press-man coverage. Arkansas has actually been okay for the most part this season on defense. Twenty-one points last weekend were surrendered on interceptions and fumble returns. They will try to keep everything in front of them and try to capitalize when Alabama makes mistakes.
5) Whatās the mood around Arkansasā locker room heading into the game?
Theyāre saying all the right things obviously, but Iām sure theyāre disappointed in the way the season has started. The talk this week is how if you canāt get up for a game against the No. 1 team in the country you donāt have a pulse. Outside the locker room, even Bret Bielemaās biggest supporters have started to turn on him. Fans are getting more and more vocal with their displeasure, talking about who the next coach should be and the like.
BamaInsider.com - Know the foe: Arkansas should have its hands full with Alabama
