Three

Third game of the season is in the books. The Crimson Tide is 3-0...just like we were last year.

Let's take a look at this point in the season last year.

Alabama was 3-0 with wins against Clemson, Tulane, and Western Kentucky. The results were almost identical to this year. The only main differences are that VA Tech was much more of a challenge than Clemson was and we were able to put FIU away unlike last year against Tulane where special teams accounted for pretty much every point we scored. So, for right now it looks like we are on par or slightly ahead of schedule when compared to last year.

Now we look forward to Arkansas. It can be said that in the past decade, the Alabama/Arkansas game has been the litmus test each team used to determine how ready they are for SEC play. We have seen some great games over the past ten years and some pretty good teams came out of those games.

Arkansas looks to have a very good passing game this year while their running game is still struggling post-McFadden. So, since they are already fairly one-dimensional, it should be easier to force them into situations that hopefully create turnovers. Last year our defense scored two touchdowns off of INTs as well as keeping the Hogs out of the end zone with a goal line stand right before the half. Can we expect the same this coming weekend? I doubt we will get that many points on defense but I do expect us to keep them out of the end zone running the ball up the middle.

If our offense can continue to be both efficient and effective, I think we get the W in Tuscaloosa this weekend. We should have Julio back and we now have a stable of receivers that have the confidence to make big plays when we need them to. We also have a proven RB in Trent Richardson. This will be his first chance at an SEC defense, but I have a feeling he is ready for the challenge, just like Ingram was last year.

So bring on the Hogs...should make for some great tailgating too...weather permitting.