Tide Tidbits – September 26, 2009

Tide raises intensity level as it opens SEC play
In the hours after Alabama’s easy and expected rout of North Texas last weekend, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban did something he normally doesn’t. He tuned in to watch another game live. Along with the national audience, Saban witnessed what Bobby Petrino really had in the mind when he took the Arkansas job before last season. Strong-armed new quarterback Ryan Mallett, all 6-foot-7 of him, set school records with 408 passing yards and five touchdowns en route to 41 points against Georgia. “They’re probably one of the best passing teams in the country,” Saban said, “systematically as well as the players that they have.”

Saban gets involved coaching Tide secondary
Saban spends most of his practice time working with the Crimson Tide’s secondary, and at times has referred to himself as the “hardest-working G.A. (graduate assistant) in the country,” joking that his practice role is merely to support defensive backs coach Kirby Smart, who is also UA’s defensive coordinator. When it comes to practice, Saban is nothing if not intense. “They probably dislike me a lot more than the rest of the players on the team. I have a really good relationship with most of the players on the team because, you know, I tell them like it is,” Saban said. “They know what the principles and values of the organization are, and if they don’t live up to them we certainly will confront them and demand that they do it right. “But because I spend so much time with those guys, I probably get on them a lot more than some of the other players on the team.”

Hogs’ defense has to improve against Tide
The charge now seems to extend beyond a couple of Razorbacks who were recently deemed to have forgotten dates to tend to minor traffic tickets. Last Saturday the entire Arkansas defense could have been charged with failure to appear. To a man those on the Razorbacks’ defense know they must play today against the nationally third-ranked, defending SEC West champion Alabama Crimson Tide with the presence they obviously lacked in last Saturday’s 52-41 SEC-opening loss to Georgia in Fayetteville. “They saw themselves playing on the film and didn’t like what they saw,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “They have been responding all week long.”

Tide takes emphasis on takeaways into today’s showdown against Razorbacks
In its Southeastern Conference opener a year ago at Arkansas, Alabama ran well, but its best offense in the runaway was a good defense. The Crimson Tide intercepted four passes, returning two of them for touchdowns in a 49-14 victory. Alabama’s defensive backs caught as many passes (three) as the Tide’s wide receivers, who scored only once. Through three games this season, Alabama’s defense has forced only one turnover. The third-ranked Tide (3-0) has intercepted one pass, and its special teams have recorded the only two fumble recoveries. So if there has been something to take away from preparations for a 2:30 p.m. SEC opener today against Arkansas (1-1) at Bryant-Denny Stadium, it has been an emphasis on takeaways. “Turnover ratio is very, very important,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It’s something we need to continue to emphasize with our players.”

Hogs/Tide=Offense vs. Defense?
Don’t count on another 90-point shootout for Arkansas this weekend. Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks pit their high-powered passing game against No. 3 Alabama and one of the nation’s top defenses on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mallett has been the nation’s most efficient passer so far and Arkansas has the No. 2 offense. Alabama has the third-ranked defense, giving up just 185 yards a game, and is second-best against the run. That’s why a repeat of last week’s 52-41 Arkansas loss to Georgia seems unlikely. Crimson Tide cornerback Javier Arenas calls it “a classic matchup” between Bobby Petrino’s offense and Nick Saban’s defense.

Roll Tide!

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