No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks at No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, 9/24/11, 3:30 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Alabama -14
Current Betting Line: Alabama -12
Opening Total: 49.5
Current Total: 50.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Arkansas hits the road for the first time in the 2011 season and both teams enter this matchup with a perfect 3-0 record. It also pits the SEC’s top offensive unit in terms of scoring in Arkansas versus Alabama’s top-ranked defense. The Razorbacks have thrown a touchdown pass in 20 consecutive games, which is longest active streak in the conference. The team is averaging 47 points a game and 517.3 total yards of offense. First-half scoring has been huge for this squad, outscoring opponents 85-10 in the first 30 minutes of action. Arkansas is 18-9 ATS as an underdog of 10.5 to 21 points.
The Razorbacks are an offensive machine under head coach Bobby Petrino, producing a perfect 13-for-13 mark inside the red zone. Arkansas is also the only team from the SEC and one of six teams nationally to be ranked in the top 20 in scoring offense and defense. Quarterback Tyler Wilson has taken over for Ryan Mallett, finishing 23 of 36 passing for 306 yards in last week’s 38-28 win over Troy. “Obviously we’ve got a lot of work to do,” commented Wilson after the game. “You obviously want to come in and beat the heck out of Troy.” The running game is also a weapon for this team, rushing for over 100 yards in 12 straight games.
Alabama should come in with plenty of motivation after being dropped in the AP Top 25 poll for a second time this year despite not losing a game. The Crimson Tide lead this series, 11-8, including a 24-20 win in Fayetteville in last year’s meeting. The team is coming off a 41-0 shutout win of the North Texas Mean Green, winning the total yards battle by a 586-169 margin. Alabama has posted a 53-21-3 record in SEC openers, but has won 19 consecutive coming into Saturday. Over the last two-plus seasons, the program is 18-10 ATS as a favorite.
The Crimson Tide are 22-1 in their last 23 games inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, dating back to the start of the 2008 season. Alabama’s defense has been ferocious in Tuscaloosa, surrendering just two rushing touchdowns since the beginning of the 2008 season. The program is outscoring opponents by 25.3 points per game in this span of contests. Quarterback AJ McCarron is starting to grow more comfortable in running the offense, connecting on 15 of 21 passes for 190 yards last week. He also has star running back Trent Richardson to hand the ball off to, who rolled up 167 yards on 11 carries last in Week 3.
Bettors will be interested in backing the Crimson Tide due to their 4-1 ATS mark as a favorite of 10.5 or more points, while the Razorbacks are just 4-4 ATS in September.
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