Alabama Crimson Tide Vs. Arkansas Razorbacks: Five Key Players
We're just about two hours away from watching the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide try to slow down quarterback Ryan Mallett and the No.10-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks in a crucial SEC West showdown.
After three dominating performances to start the season, the Tide will finally face an opponent that has a chance to do some real damage to the defending champs.
The Razorbacks have proven that with Mallett at the helm, they are a dangerous team that can play with anyone in the country.
This one is shaping up to be one of the best contests of the day.
So let's have a look at the five players who could have the biggest effect on the outcome.
Quarterback: Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
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Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett is obviously the spotlight player of today's game. The 6'7" junior signal caller has been the catalyst for Arkansas' success since taking over the starting quarterback spot at the beginning of last season.
The former Michigan Wolverine has found a home in Bobby Petrino's high-powered, passing-attack offense, where he can show off his cannon arm week in and week out.
Mallett has been sensational at Razorback Stadium, where he is 7-1 as a starter and has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards.
Mallett struggled mightily against Alabama's defense last season, completing just 12 of his 35 attempts (34 percent) for 160 yards. But expect the junior to be much more comfortable in his home digs this go-around.
Linebacker: Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
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After missing the majority of the 2009 season with a knee injury, sophomore linebacker Dont’a Hightower has returned and emerged as the leader of an inexperienced Alabama defensive group.
The inside linebacker has done a great job replacing the departed Rolando McClain as the dominating playmaker of the front seven.
The 6‘4", 260-lb. Hightower is a ballhawk who can line up all over the field and make an impact.
Expect Hightower to be extra jazzed up to play the Razorbacks, the same team that cut his season short last year.
The key to Alabama’s defensive success will be to keep Hightower freed up to track down ball carriers and make big stops.
Defensive End: Marcell Dareus, Alabama
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Defensive End Marcell Dareus will be a big help in the quest to keep blockers off Hightower.
The 6‘4", 300-plus pounder demands double teams on a regular basis as an end in Alabama’s 3-4 defensive scheme.
Dareus, who got a chance to shake off the rust of a suspension in last week’s game against Duke, is the type of penetration player that can disrupt the flow of an opposing offense.
The junior is Alabama’s best defensive lineman and he presents a tough test for the Arkansas offensive line.
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Cornerback: Ramon Broadway, Arkansas
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Cornerback Ramon Broadway will be given the task of shutting down Alabama’s talented wide receivers Julio Jones and Marquis Maze today.
The 5‘9" Broadway gives up nearly seven inches to the 6‘4" Jones. But what the senior lacks in size, he makes up for in tenacity.
Broadway fears no opponent, and he has the type of short memory you want from a cornerback.
If the Razorbacks secondary can keep Alabama’s passing attack contained, it puts more pressure on Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson to pick up yardage on the ground.
Quarterback: Greg McElroy, Alabama
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The last thing Alabama wants is for Greg McElroy to get in a shootout with Ryan Mallett in this game.
McElroy is a talented, fundamentally sound passer, but he doesn't have the arm to get into a passing duel.
Instead, the 6'3" senior, who has never a lost a game at the collegiate level, has to be patient and take what the Arkansas defense gives him.
His main focus has to be to not make any game-changing mistakes that give the Razorbacks a momentum boost.
McElroy won't win this game single-handedly, but if he plays poorly—something that would be uncharacteristic—then Alabama could be in some trouble.
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