2023 Alabama Football Early Opponent Preview | Game 7: Arkansas

As 2023 SEC Media Days approaches, BamaCentral takes a long, first look at each of the Crimson Tide's upcoming opponents this season.

© Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 14 may be a wild one — if the last two years were any indication.

Two years ago, Bryce Young set an Alabama program record with 559 passing yards — and five touchdowns — in a 42-35 win over Arkansas.

Last year, the Crimson Tide led 28-0 in Fayetteville before losing its big lead — and nearly the game. Young went out with a shoulder injury and Jahmyr Gibbs took over, scoring on two 70+ yard rushing plays in the fourth quarter when Alabama needed it most. Don't forget Jalen Milroe's mind-numbing 77-yard touchdown run on 3rd and 15 with perhaps the game on the line.

It's been 17 years since the Razorbacks were victorious over the Crimson Tide — Sept. 23, 2006 to be exact. Alabama will look to continue its long winning streak over its SEC West rival at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2023.

Offense

Arkansas was terrific on offense in 2022-23 behind QB KJ Jefferson and RB Raheim Sanders — finishing the season eighth in total offense. In fact, if the Razorbacks' defense could have put up half a fight, they may have won two or three more games.

While Jefferson and Sanders return, Arkansas has a lot of ground to make up in the receiver room. It's a return to Fayetteville for offensive coordinator Dan Enos, who is back with the Razorbacks again after holding the same position from 2015-2017. Enos is replacing Kendal Briles, who is now the offensive coordinator at CFP-runner-up TCU.

While Arkansas brought in numerous wide receivers from the transfer portal, it may fair best putting out a zone-read offense — relying on the legs of Jefferson and Sanders. The two of them running at you all day? Good luck.

Defense

Many Razorback fans had to close their eyes oftentimes when the team was on defense in 2022-23. Arkansas allowed 30.6 PPG last year, including 465.2 YPG — bad enough for 124th in the country.

There are 131 D1 FBS college football teams in the country — it was that bad.

Good news? Co-defensive coordinators Travis Williams and Marcus Woodson are the new guys on the block that have the task of fixing the defensive unit. If they can right the ship, the Razorbacks could win a lot of games. If not — it could be another 7-5 season for Sam Pittman and crew.

Like on offense, Arkansas has a lot of players with a lot of potential on defense. It's a matter of who will step up and fill the open roles — and will it be enough? Look out for Dwight McGlothern at cornerback.

Schedule

Things are either going to be going really well or really poorly when the Razorbacks show up to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 14. Prior to its matchup with Alabama, Arkansas has BYU, at LSU, Texas A&M and at Ole Miss on the schedule in four consecutive weeks.

It's not much easier for the Crimson Tide which will be returning home for Homecoming after playing Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Texas A&M — with the latter two on the road.

Outlook

Arkansas had lofty expectations in 2022-23 after a 9-4 year in 2021 — and it failed. But the Razorbacks were close last year, dropping four of their six losses by a combined nine points. I think they're close again — but they've got to put it all together around Jefferson, Sanders and the rushing game.

Prediction

Alabama 41, Arkansas 24

Alabama vs. Arkansas

Nick Saban has never lost to the Razorbacks since taking over the Crimson Tide in 2007: 

The Game

Date: Oct. 14

Time: TBD

TV: TBD

Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Series: Alabama leads 26-7

Last meeting: No. 2 Alabama overcame the loss of starting quarterback Bryce Young, who suffered a shoulder injury during the second quarter, to win at No. 20 Arkansas, 49-26. The Razorbacks came back from a 28-0 hole to close to within five points in the fourth quarter when the Crimson Tide tacked on another three touchdowns. Jalen Milroe finished just 4-for-9 passing for 65 yards and a touchdown in relief, but he ran for another 91 yards and another score. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs finished with 202 rushing yards on 18 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Team

The Coach: Sam Pittman (Three years at ARK: 19-17)

Offensive Coordinator: Dan Enos

Defensive Coordinator: Travis Williams

2022 Record: 7-6

2022 Rankings: Total Offense: No. 15 | Total Defense: No. 124

Returning Starters: 10 (4 Offense | 6 Defense)

Players to Watch: RB Raheim Sanders, QB KJ Jefferson, C Beaux Limmer, LB Chris Paul, CB Dwight McGlothern, DE Trajan Jeffcoat, K Cam Little, WE Jaedon Wilson

Top Newcomer: In terms of immediate impact we're going with defensive lineman Anthony Booker, the transfer from Maryland who is listed as 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds. The tricky thing with him is the defensive line might be the team's best position group with Trajan Jeffcoat and Landon Jackson at the ends, Eric Gregory at one tackle spot and Taurean Carter returning from a torn ACL. There are 10 players with starting experience, so the Razorbacks have depth as well.

Biggest Question: First off, the schedule benefits Alabama as Arkansas will visit Tuscaloosa at the end of a brutal four-game stretch including road games against LSU, Texas A&M and Ole Miss. Secondly, having only four returning starters on offense doesn't bode well for the Razorbacks, especially when two of them are the quarterback and running back. Defenses will likely stack the box to focus on Raheim Sanders out of the backfield, while the passing game could struggle with two new tackles and a revamped receiving corps.

© Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The School

Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Founded: 1871

Enrollment: Approximately 31,000

Nickname: Razorbacks

Colors: Cardinal and White

Mascot: Tusk

Alabama Athletics

The Program

Coaching Changes During Saban Era: Five

Last Time Beat Alabama: 2006

Last Time Won Division: 2006

Last Time Won SEC Championship: None

National Championships (1): 1964

Playoff Appearances: None

SEC Championships: None

Bowl Appearances: 17-24-3

Last Time Didn’t Play in a Bowl: 2020

Heisman Trophies: None

Consensus All-Americans During Saban Era (5): KR Felix Jones (2007), C Jonathan Luigs (2007), RB Darren McFadden (2007), KR / AP Joe Adams (2011), TE Hunter Henry (2015)

First-Round NFL Picks During Saban Era (4): The most recent was WR Treylon Burks — No. 18 by the Titans in 2022.

2023 NFL Draft: Two selections — both in the third round. Former Alabama LB Drew Sanders was selected by the Denver Broncos, followed by C Ricky Stromberg to the Washington Commanders.

Last Four Recruiting Class Rankings: No. 22 in 2023, No. 28 in 2022, No. 25 in 2021, and No. 29 in 2020

The Schedule

Sept. 2: vs. Western Carolina (Little Rock)
Sept. 9: vs. Kent State
Sept. 16: vs. BYU
Sept. 23: at LSU
Sept. 30: vs. Texas A&M (Arlington)
Oct. 7: at Ole Miss
Oct. 14: at Alabama
Oct. 21: vs. Mississippi State
Nov. 4: at Florida
Nov. 11: vs. Auburn
Nov. 18: vs. FIU
Nov. 24: vs. Missouri

© Nathan Papes / Springfield News-Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK

Did You Know?

Updating this tidbit from last year, Alabama has won 16 straight in the series — every matchup during Saban's tenure in Tuscaloosa.

When Arkansas last won on Sept. 23, 2006:

• George W. Bush was president
• The No. 1 song was Justin Timberlake's, SexyBack
• Barry Bonds had just hit his 715th career home run in May 2006, passing Babe Ruth on the MLB all-time list
• Movie rental stores were still common
• MySpace announced that it had 106 million accounts

© Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

This is the seventh story in a series previewing Alabama's 2023 opponents:

Middle Tennessee

Texas

South Florida

Ole Miss

Mississippi State

Texas A&M