Arkansas vs. Alabama: Spread and Predictions

No offense to Tennessee and Florida, but the 2011 SEC season begins in earnest in Week 4 when No. 14 Arkansas takes on No. 3 Alabama. Both teams are gunning for the top of the tough West division, with the winner earning a leg-up in the race and the loser falling a big step behind the pack.

The Unstoppable Force that is the Razorbacks offense, led by quarterback Tyler Wilson, will face a make-or-break test against the immovable bbject (or objects) of the Crimson Tide defense. Bama owns the all-time series 11-8, with wins in each of the last four meetings.

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

When: 3:30 p.m. EDT

Watch: CBS

Spread: Alabama -11, according to sportsbook.com

Take the spread here. The Crimson Tide pulled out a four point win in Fayetteville last season and don't have the offense to blow out the Hogs.

Over/Under: 50.5, according to sportsbook.com

Go with the under. Bama's offense is too one dimensional to put up points against an SEC defense. Meanwhile, the Tide's defense is too good to allow Arkansas' normally explosive offense to light up the scoreboard.

Key Injuries:

Alabama's defensive secondary is a bit banged up at the moment. Safety Robert Lester (back spasms) and cornerback Dee Milliner (illness) both missed time in practice this week but should be ready to go on Saturday.

As for Arkansas, the absence of Knile Davis (ankle) is no mystery. The Hogs should have three key players back who missed last week's win over Troy—defensive end Jake Bequette (hamstring) and wide receivers Jarius Wright (knee) and Greg Childs (grandmother's funeral). 

BCS/Top 25 Poll Implications:

Both of these teams came into the 2011 season with a "BCS or Bust" mindset. The Tide, in particular, have their sights set on winning their second BCS National Championship in three years. The Hogs played in the Sugar Bowl in January but "lost" to an Ohio State team loaded with players who weren't exactly eligible to play.

A win for Bama keeps it firmly in the national title hunt, while a loss would catapult Arkansas into the conversation. Barring a catastrophic collapse by one of these teams, both should still be ranked come Sunday.

Keys to Arkansas Win:

Arkansas can't simply start fast and sit back this time around. The Hogs jumped out to a 20-7 lead against the Tide last year but surrendered 17 unanswered points over the final 16 minutes of the game to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

If Arkansas is to build a good lead to begin with, it'll need quarterback Tyler Wilson to come up big in his first career SEC road start.

In one of the most intimidating environments in all of college football, no less. 

Keys to Alabama Win:

Defense. Defense. Defense. Did I mention defense?

Okay, so maybe Bama will need some offense, too. In a game that pits strength against strength and weakness against weakness, the Tide will rely on running back Trent Richardson to run roughshod over the Razorbacks. If the Tide fall behind like they did last year, they'll need quarterback AJ McCarron to play smart and keep his jitters to a minimum in the biggest game of his life.

Prediction:

Alabama 21, Arkansas 17

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