Arkansas vs. Alabama: Crimson Tide Defense Will Roll Razorbacks

Alabama’s offense sure looks good for a squad that came into the season with a ton of question marks and holes to fill.

The Tide lost starting quarterback Greg McElroy, Heisman running back Mark Ingram and star receiver Julio Jones to the NFL this offseason, so many were concerned how the offense would bounce back.

Many were worried that Alabama wouldn’t be able to recover from such loss, but they have made up for those losses and more in 2011.

Running back Trent Richardson is arguably one of the best in the country, with 315 yards and eight touchdowns on the year so far, and quarterback A.J. McCarron has done a more than adequate job managing the offense.

The offense is going to have to come up big this weekend, but they aren't the unit in question anymore.

Ironically enough, it’s Alabama’s defense that is being questioned as they head into their game against No. 14 Arkansas. A game that is jam packed with BCS implications may I add.

Last season, the Razorbacks jumped out to a big lead at home and had the Tide behind 20-7 in the second half. Alabama came roaring back with 17 unanswered to sweep the game away from Arkansas.

While it is the past, Alabama’s defense looked horrible in the first half of that game, and now many are wondering if we will see a repeat performance from the squad.

Izzy Gould on al.com writes on head coach Nick Saban’s thoughts on last year and how his defense has changed since then:

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Saban said the flat was left uncovered, which should have been protected by a Crimson Tide linebacker. He said there were a lot of early mistakes, including the failure to adjust to the right formations.

 "It wasn't just the secondary," Saban said. "There's a little more consistency and a little more knowledge and experience and I think a little more ability to adapt to circumstances and situations. I think when you play somebody like Arkansas, they do a lot of different things. They do a lot of the same things out of a lot of different things. Conceptually, they're the same things, but it's typical NFL style."

After a season of experience, Saban said the defense is better prepared to adjust on the fly.

"Last year, we weren't very adaptable relative to the knowledge and experience that we had," Saban said. "I think we have a little better knowledge and experience, and I hope we'll make better adjustments in this game and not make those kinds of mental mistakes."

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If you are worried about Alabama’s defense, I urge you to reconsider after reading Saban’s words.

There is no doubt that this is a completely different and much more mature squad. They are littered with talent at every layer of the defense, and even possess a few NFL ready players.

Alabama has only allowed six points per game so far this season, and even though the Razorbacks are arguably their biggest test so far, I don’t think they are going to crack the Tides defensive resolve.

Arkansas is averaging 47 points per game , but I have a feeling that average is going to be way down after this game.

Don’t worry about the Tide’s defense; they are going to roll over the Razorbacks.