Alabama-Arkansas preview capsule
No. 7 Alabama (4-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) at Arkansas (3-2, 0-2), 6 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Line: Alabama by 10.
Series Record: Alabama leads 16-8.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
An Alabama team still reeling after last week's 23-17 loss at Mississippi hopes to rebound on the road against the Razorbacks, whom the Crimson Tide has defeated by identical 52-0 margins in each of the last two seasons. Arkansas is much improved in its second year under coach Bret Bielema, but it's also still recovering from a disheartening loss - an overtime defeat to Texas A&M that extended the school's SEC losing streak to 14 games.
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas' massive offense line, which averages 328.4 pounds per player, against the Crimson Tide's physical defensive line and linebackers. Led by 6-foot-10, 326-pound left tackle Dan Skipper, the Razorbacks lead the SEC in rushing with an average of 316.6 yards per game. However, they are facing an Alabama defense - led by linebackers Reggie Ragland, Trey DePriest and Reuben Foster - that leads the SEC and is third nationally in allowing only 64 yards rushing per game to opponents.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: Wide receiver Amari Cooper is second in the country with an average of 149.2 yards receiving per game, though Ole Miss managed to hold him scoreless in a 9-catch, 91-yard effort. The junior presents a significant threat to an Arkansas secondary that allows 263.8 yards through the air per game.
Arkansas: Running back Alex Collins is second in the SEC in rushing, averaging 124.2 yards per game on the ground. The sophomore will face his most difficult challenge yet against the Crimson Tide defense, and he'll need plenty of help from backfield teammate Jonathan Williams, who averages nearly 100 yards per game rushing and leads the Razorbacks with eight touchdowns.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Alabama has won seven straight games against Arkansas ... Cooper's 52 catches this season is the fastest five-game start of any wide receiver in SEC history ... The Crimson Tide lead all FBS schools with 76 wins since the start of the 2008 season ... The Razorbacks will honor the school's undefeated 1964 national championship team on Saturday. Alabama was crowned champion by The Associated Press that year.