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Arkansas Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Alabama in Week 7

By Matthew Bartlett

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 10: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts to the officials during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 10, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 10: Head coach Bret Bielema of the Arkansas Razorbacks reacts to the officials during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 10, 2015 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Arkansas football will hit the road to take on mighty Alabama in Week 7, and here’s everything you need to know.

These two teams could not be headed in more distinct directions. Alabama (6-0) has their sights set on a return to the College Football Playoff and revenge against the Clemson Tigers. Arkansas (2-3) would be gleeful to get an invitation to a bowl game.

Nick Saban’s team faced their toughest test of the season last weekend in College Station, Texas. The Aggies gave the Crimson Tide all that they could handle and had the game back within one score late in the fourth quarter. The rest of Alabama’s SEC opponents have not been so lucky. The Tide blasted Vanderbilt and Ole Miss by a combined score of 125-3.

If any team wants to beat Alabama they’re going to have to play the perfect game. That type of game has eluded Arkansas to this point. Is it probable? No. But anything can happen on any given Saturday in college football.

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s Arkansas vs Alabama game:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Arkansas needs to find a way to protect Austin Allen. Their gutty senior signal caller was actually knocked out of the Razorbacks’ loss to South Carolina last weekend with a shoulder injury. Frankly, it’s a minor miracle that Allen has made it this long behind such an awful protection unit. The Hogs are going to have to figure something out to keep Allen upright long enough to find an open receiver because the running game is going to have a hard time against the Alabama front seven.

Alabama just needs to play their game. It’s cliché, but as long as the Tide take care of their own business and execute they’ll be just fine on Saturday. They have the advantage on both lines of scrimmage and the skill positions. Provided they don’t turn the ball over, which they’ve done only once so far this season, Alabama should be fine.

Prediction

Texas A&M and Arkansas went to overtime and the Aggies pushed the Tide until the final whistle. But oh, how the transitive property and college football do not always get along. On paper, there simply isn’t enough on either side of the ball for Arkansas to keep this game close. Running back Devwah Whaley has not reached his full potential yet, and he’ll be held under 30 yards on more than 15 touches. That’s not a recipe for success.

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This is another game in which Jalen Hurts exits after two quarters. The trio in the backfield of Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Najee Harris combine for 400 yards on the ground as the Crimson Tide methodically march up and down the field without breaking a sweat.

Final Score: Arkansas 13, Alabama 37

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