Arkansas vs. Alabama: Crimson Tide Will Prove Arkansas Is Not Elite SEC Team

Arkansas is a solid football team, but they are a significant notch below the elite teams in the SEC. Alabama will be a great measuring stick for the Razorbacks, and after all is said and done they will know they can't hope to compete for an SEC Championship this season.

Arkansas has looked great despite losing Ryan Mallett. Even so, impressive performances against Troy, Missouri State and New Mexico don't exactly prove they can hang with Alabama.

Tyler Wilson has been outstanding this season, but he faces a huge uphill battle this week. He can kiss putting upwards of 50 points goodbye, as Alabama isn't going to stand by and watch an aerial assault take place on their home turf.

Right now, Alabama is considered the second best team in the SEC, behind LSU. A couple of tough matchups in front of them will allow them to show that they can compete against any team in the conference and the Tigers aren't running away with a National Championship by any means.

Trent Richardson was expected to tap into the carries Mark Ingram was stealing away last season, but Eddie Lacy has ensured that the two-back system has remained intact.

Both backs are putting up impressive numbers this season and it's hard to imagine that Arkansas is going to come up with an answer for the tremendous ground game Alabama puts forth.

AJ McCarron doesn't have the same sort of pressure Wilson has. McCarron knows his backfield is going to get the job and even if he falters, the offense is still going to move the ball.

The same can't be said for Wilson, who is going to be under fire throughout the entire game. They are playing in front of a hostile crowd and could fall victim to a huge deficit.

Last season's game against Arkansas was too close for comfort for Alabama. They have a lot to prove with this game and aren't about to let their National Championship hopes slip away at the hands of an inferior opponent.