Arkansas Razorbacks

No. 1 Alabama chases 12th straight win over Arkansas

Published Oct. 4, 2018 12:55 p.m. ET

No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0 SEC) at Arkansas (1-4, 0-2), noon ET (ESPN)

Line: Alabama by 35.

Series record: Alabama leads 18-8.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Crimson Tide would love another dominating performance after easily dispatching its first five opponents, including two in the SEC West. The Razorbacks could make a huge statement early in the Chad Morris coaching era with even a competitive game, much less an upset.

KEY MATCHUP

Arkansas's pass defense against QB Tua Tagovailoa and the nation's top scoring offense. The Razorbacks are 11th in the league in defending the pass while Tagovailoa is tops nationally in pass efficiency and has a variety of talented targets.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alabama: DL Isaiah Buggs is second in the SEC in sacks, while the Tide leads the league. He faces an offense that's allowing nearly three sacks per game, better only than Texas A&M. Buggs was credited with 3½ sacks against the Aggies.

Arkansas: QB Ty Storey faces a tough challenge if the league's worst running game doesn't make some plays. He has started the past two games

FACTS & FIGURES

Alabama has gone 11-0 against the Razorbacks under coach Nick Saban. ... The Tide offense has produced 37 touchdowns, the most in SEC history through five games. Florida scored 35 in both 1996 and 1997. ...Arkansas returns to Razorback Stadium after two games away from home, both losses. ... The Tide has won an FBS-record 77 consecutive games against unranked teams. The Razorbacks have lost their last eight meetings against No. 1 teams, five of them coming against Alabama. Three times, the Razorbacks have lost by seven points or less including a 24-20 defeat to Alabama in 2010. ... The Razorbacks' De'Jon Harris had a career-best 16 tackles against Texas A&M, tied for most by an SEC player this season. He's leading the league with 53 tackles.

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