Alabama Crimson Tide: Who's Rising and Who's Falling

After four weeks of play whose stock is on the rise and who is failing to impress?

Rising: Linebacker Nico Johnson

After losing his staring job this spring and sinking to as low as fourth string at times this fall, Nico has played his way back into the starting lineup.  It might have been because he was happy to be starting again but in the first half in Fayettville he was one of the few defensive players showing any emotion, racking up eight tackles.

Falling: Linebacker Jarrell Harris

Nico's gain is Jarrell's loss, but Harris may be moving to a different role.  Alabama may have moved him to more of a pass coverage role due to his uncommon athletic prowess.  Clearly the secondary can use all the help it can get.  Harris however won't get the same opportunities or snaps in that package.

Rising: Running Back Mark Ingram

Most Heisman "list keepers" expected Mark Ingram's encore season to be less spectacular.  Nick Saban's first question to him leaving the downtown athletic club was, "How is this going to affect you?"  When Ingram went down with a knee injury before the first game most struck him from the 2010 Heisman list.  In Ingram's first two games played he has shown that he is a better back than last year and may again be the best player in the country.  It is unlikely voters will give Ingram the trophy twice no matter how good he plays, but his 9.5 yards per carry are hard to ignore.

Falling: Running Back Eddie Lacy

After putting the ball on the ground twice in the red zone Lacy wasn't a factor in the Arkansas game.  Expect Lacy to get carries as the year goes on, but he'll have to do better than that to see time in a close game.

Rising: H-Back Preston Dial

Not sure if any of you were watching, but Preston Dial was a one-man wrecking crew blocking for Mark Ingram against Arkansas.  He's also becoming a favorite target of quarterback Greg McElroy, and a veteran voice in the locker room when things aren't going well.

Falling: Quarterback Greg McElroy

Though McElroy played a solid second half and didn't panic in the face of a large deficit, Arkansas was not his best game.  His back-to-back interceptions in the first half were especially damaging.  Both passes would have been touchdowns if completed and would have allowed Alabama to control the game much sooner.  He also missed on several long throws to Julio Jones.

Rising: Running Back Trent Richardson

While Mark Ingram's return should push Richardson down, he's just too powerful to hold back.  Richardson was only five yards short of completing what would have been one of the most memorable runs in Tide history.  With Alabama trying to run out the clock before the half he dashed 53 yards through the horrified Arkansas defense.  He was stopped just short of scoring as time expired to erase the score from anything but the stats column.  But his receiving yards aren't being erased.  His 25 yards receiving and a touchdown were critical.

Falling: Defensive Back DeMarcus Milliner

This is probably unfair.  Milliner is a true freshman playing about as good as anyone could expect, but he's playing, so he must perform.  When he starts flexing his considerable talent he'll be a popular target for quarterbacks.

Rising: Defensive Back Robert Lester

Lester was supposed to be the weak link in the secondary, almost losing his job to a walk-on this fall.  He's still prone to mistakes and is not a consistent tackler, but his four interceptions in four games cannot be ignored.  He was also much more mindful of ball control on his return of the pick.  He was willing to lose a few yards as long as he kept the ball this time.

Falling: Defensive lineman Marcel Dareus

Marcel was playing in only his second game thanks to a suspension, and he played hurt for half of the Arkansas game, but Dareus isn't the terror we expected him to be.  The season is far from over, but thus far Marcel Dareus looks like a bust. 

Rising: Alabama Defense

Though they were roasted in a way Bama fans haven’t seen in years, this defense rebounded in the second half and is learning about the level of intensity needed to compete in the SEC, especially on the road.

Falling: Alabama Offense

Saturday was the first chance for the Alabama offense to show off its firepower in a deficit situation.  The passing game was mediocre at best and they had to revert to the 2009 plan, give the ball to Ingram and cross your fingers.  One notable area of improvement: the offensive line.  The pass blocking was excellent.  Arkansas did sack McElroy, but mostly because he just wouldn’t pull the trigger.