When the top-ranked team in the country comes to town, you had better be ready. And all that the No. 16 Arkansas Razorbacks can do now is hope that they are.
The Razorbacks got back in the winning column last week with a victory over Alcorn State, but now face the 5-0 Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 6. Alabama is a two-touchdown favorite heading into this one and so far this season, the team has looked as good as ever.
This contest in Week 6 of the regular season will go down Saturday, October 8, 2016, at 7 p.m. ET at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Alabama -14
Arkansas +14
Over/Under 50
Odds Analysis
A two-touchdown spread for a road team is rare in SEC play, but the Crimson Tide is no ordinary team. While Alabama is a heavy favorite, Arkansas is taking in 56 percent of the money to cover.
Alabama has an elite defense and thus the scoring total is one of the lowest of the week. The “under” is getting about 60 percent of the action early in the week.
Key Stat
5. That’s the number of touchdowns Alabama’s defense has allowed this season. It’s also the number of touchdowns the Alabama defense has scored this season.
Ole Miss accounted for four of those touchdowns and Kentucky scored one last week. Defensive back Ronnie Harrison is the newest member of the Crimson Tide defense to find the end zone.
He scooped up a fumble last week against Kentucky and ran 55 yards for the score. The team has also scored twice on special teams in the first five games.
Player to Watch
Damien Harris - The Alabama running back will be a big test for this Arkansas defense this week. The sophomore has seen limited touches the last two weeks but was a difference-maker in the win against Ole Miss.
He had 16 carries for 144 yards a touchdown against the Rebels. He nearly had two touchdowns in the contest, but his 67-yard run, originally ruled a touchdown, was overturned when the review showed he was down at the 1-yard line.
On the season, Harris has 356 yards on 42 carries. He is averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
Free ATS Pick
The traditionally stout Alabama defense has been key again this year, holding opponents to 13 points a game. In fact, the team has held four out of the five teams it has faced to 10 points of fewer.
The defense has been particularly strong against the run this year, allowing only 68.4 rushing yards a game. The front seven could be tested this week with Arkansas’ big, physical offensive line.
Ole Miss is the only team that’s gone toe-to-toe with Alabama this year. The Crimson Tide escaped the slugfest with a 48-43 win in Week 3 to remain perfect.
Arkansas is 4-1 heading into this matchup. The team captured a double-overtime win over No. 15 TCU in Week 2 and suffered its only loss in Week 3 to Texas A&M, falling 45-24. The Razorbacks have averaged nearly 200 yards per game on the ground this season but will likely need to succeed through the air in order to threaten an upset.
This is a tough stretch for both teams right now. Alabama follows this matchup up with games against No. 9 Tennessee and No. 8 Texas A&M while Arkansas faces Ole Miss next and No. 18 Florida two weeks later.
The Crimson Tide leads this matchup 16-8 all-time. They have won the last nine meetings between these two programs and should be able to pull another one off. Arkansas will be like many SEC foes - good enough to talk itself into a possible upset of Alabama, but in the end will fall short.
Expect the Crimson Tide to continue their march to another berth in the College Football Playoff with a win over the Razorbacks.
College Football Odds: Alabama 31, Arkansas 13
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