Saturday’s game
Arkansas (1-2) at Alabama (3-0)
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Radio/TV: The ARSN network will broadcast the game on radio affiliates; Jefferson Pilot will carry the game regionally on TV, including Little Rock’s KATV, Channel 7.
What James says: If I was Frank Broyles, I’d make them all ride the school bus down there after last week’s embarrassment.
About Alabama: I saw them a couple of times in the spring. Their offensive line is not vintage Alabama, not as strong as it usually is; they are playing a lot of young people and it’s piece-meal. But quarterback Brodie Croyle is totally healthy and makes a difference in that football team in that he is definitely the leader. Alabama has the top defense in the SEC West Division. The question mark for them was, could they find a running game, and Kenneth Darby has come through, taking a lot of pressure off of Croyle and the passing game.
How does Arkansas bounce back from last week: You just ask, do you accept the fact you were on national TV and embarrassed yourselves and state? And now that you’re going to Alabama and will be on regional TV, are you going to bow up and show you have some pride? Offensively, Arkansas has to turn those freshmen backs (Felix Jones and Darren McFadden) and Peyton Hillis loose. They are going to have to be very wide open on offense and not get into a conservative mindset. Southern Mississippi proved you can score some points on Alabama.
The pick: 31-21 Alabama. For Alabama coach Mike Shula, it’s a must-win game. They are not happy losing to Arkansas the last couple of years, and there is a little bit of a grudge there with Shula and Houston Nutt, as we saw at the end of last year’s game.
Watch former Arkansas All-American defensive end Bruce James along with David Bazzel and host Steve Sullivan on KATV, Channel 7’s “SportsWeek” Sundays at 10:30 p.m.