A game that many expected to be Alabama's toughest test of the season turned into exactly that, as an inspired Arkansas team, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Ryan Mallett, gave the Tide all it wanted for 60 minutes. Alabama trailed 17-7 at halftime and fell behind by 13 in the second half before methodically grinding out a win over the Razorbacks. Mallett threw for 357 yards on 25 for 38 passing, but his three interceptions proved to be the difference in the game.
These are my Seven Points for Game 4:
1. This game played out somewhat like the Auburn game last year. Arkansas got on the board early. The crowd was really into the game. The Razorbacks were fired up and built a two-touchdown lead. However, when the fourth quarter came along, Alabama completely dominated Arkansas, scored the winning points, forced two turnovers, and played as if it was unrattled by the circumstances.
2. This game played out somewhat like the South Carolina game last year. Alabama has a lot of weapons on offense, but in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line, Mark Ingram got the ball. Ingram delivered, rushing for 157 yards and 2 TD on 24 carries. The last scoring drive for Alabama was all Ingram, in the wildcat and in the I-formation, showing the same grit and determination that won him the Heisman in 2009.
3. Robert Lester's second interception was the biggest play of the game. Lester, who has picked off four passes this year in four games,was out of position at times today, and made some freshman mistakes against an experienced, top-flight offense. But Lester's over-the-middle interception in the fourth quarter, after the Tide had settled for a field goal and trailed 17-20 with six minutes left in the game, completely deflated the Razorbacks and their fans. Lester returned the overthrown pass 33 yards to the Arkansas 12 and set up Ingram's go-ahead score.
4. Nick Saban's decision to go for it on fourth and inches showed the confidence he has in this offense. Alabama faced a fourth and inches on its own 44 with 54 seconds left in the game. Last week, in a similar situation, Mallett had led Arkansas to a win over Georgia, driving the Hogs down field in about 50 seconds to score the winning touchdown. The Tide tried to shift around to draw Arkansas offsides, then after a timeout showed that they were going to go for it when Arkansas expected a punt. Alabama had to call timeout again though when the correct personnel did not make it out on to the field. The conventional wisdom in that situation would have been to punt, but Alabama went for it anyway, with Greg McElroy sneaking forward for the first down, to salt the game away.
5. The Tide continues to play stronger in the second half. The first three games of the year were all pretty much blowouts - over by halftime. Alabama had not allowed an opponent to score in the second half until today. Although they did give up a field goal to the Razorbacks in the third quarter, the Tide outscored the Hogs 17-3 in the second half and limited the Arkansas offense to 120 yards in the final two quarters. Credit halftime adjustments by the coaching staff as well as an inexperienced defense that is basically learning on the job.
6. This might have been the worst defensive match-up Alabama will face all year. Arkansas's Mallett is a great pocket passer with good receivers, a great offensive line and a complex big-play offense. Alabama's defensive secondary is inexperienced and the defensive line has not been able to get much pressure on quarterbacks. Early on, the defense looked lost - unable to keep up with the receivers, fooled by the schemes - and Mallett picked them apart. As the game progressed however, the defense was able to adjust. By the fourth quarter, Mallett was the one who looked lost as 'Bama pressure forced two decisive interceptions.
7. These next few weeks will determine much about the rest of the season. Alabama comes home next week to face Florida, then will travel to South Carolina. This three-week stretch has tested the Tide already, but by the end of it we'll know whether Alabama is capable of winning the SEC again as well as returning to the BCS Championship Game. No other top 10 team faces a gauntlet of ranked teams like Alabama does. If the Tide can successfully navigate these next two games, and stay injury-free, it should have an excellent chance to repeat.
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