Alabama Crimson Tide at Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview

Opening point spread odds - total lines at 5Dimes : Crimson Tide -7 / Razorbacks +7 O/U 54.5

Time: 3:30 PM EST Saturday September 25, 2010 on CBS

On Saturday afternoon in a HUGE SEC game with BCS implications the 10th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0) host the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (3-0). Man, how things have changed for Arkansas, as they now feature a great passing offense that ranks 3rd in the nation in passing yards per game. They will be facing the Tide and their 9th ranked defense that also has a loaded offense and now have Heisman winner RB Mark Ingram healthy.

The Crimson Tide won the National Championship last season and they have looked awesome this season outscoring their opponents 139-19 including beating, then, 18th ranked Penn State 24-3 2 weeks back.

Last week Arkansas had their first test and they passed beating Georgia 31-24 while Alabama had an easier time laying a 62-3 beat down on San Jose State.

Heading into this game Alabama is 3-0 ATS and Arkansas is 1-2 ATS.

Last season Alabama crushed Arkansas 35-7 and the Razorbacks have not beat the Crimson Tide since 2006.

Arkansas has the nation's 10th ranked defense and they will need to play great against Tide QB Greg McElroy and Ingram. The Razorbacks have to play all around defense in this game and better than they did last week when they gave up 139 rushing yards and 253 passing yards.

The Tide offensive line has to protect McElroy against a Razorbacks' defense that ranks 4th in the nation with 12 sacks already this season.

For the Razorbacks to win this game QB Ryan Mallett, who 380 yards and 3 TD last week in the win over Georgia, has to play a great game. Arkansas does not feature much of a running attack, so it will be up to Mallett to move the chains. He has a couple of great WR targets in Joe Adams and Greg Childs, who both averaged over 21 yards per reception last week.

Alabama has the 11th ranked pass defense in the nation and they will have to play well, as their front line D is solid, but they only have 2 sacks. If the Tide can contain Mallett and not allow him to have a big game they will be in great shape.

Alabama is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 conference games.

Arkansas is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 conference games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games.

In the last 5 games between these 2 teams the road team in 4-1 ATS.

Our Selection : We're still not sold on the Alabama defense. Their rebuilt defense has yet to face a top quality quarterback. Ryan Mallett will test the Crimson Tide all over the field. While we do think that an outright win for the Razorbacks may be asking too much. We do think that Arkansas can keep this close. Take the Razorbacks +7 at Bodog.


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