Nick Saban on Arkansas’ Offense

by Robbie Neiswanger

Posted on 21 September 2009
Tags: Bobby Petrino, Ryan Mallett

We know Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino spoke very highly of Alabama’s defense during today’s press conference, calling the Crimson Tide a physical bunch which knows how to get after the quarterback. In fact, he said Alabama will be a very difficult challenge Saturday.

“We’ve got to get ourselves to third-and-medium and third-and-short because they like to tee off with their pass rush,” Petrino said. “Third down is when they really like to do their blitzing. They have a lot of experience so they can get a little exotic on some of the blitzes that they do and they’re very good at it.”

Well, Alabama coach Nick Saban met with the media in Tuscaloosa, Ala., today, too. One topic of conversation: Arkansas’ offense.

Saban said the Razorbacks will challenge ‘Bama’s defense, which, arguably, has been one of the nation’s best so far. Arkansas is second in the nation in total offense (538 yards), passing offense (427.5 yards) and is eighth in scoring offense (44.5 points).

“Arkansas, to me, is one of the best offensive teams in the country,” Saban said. “Bobby Petrino has always been one of the best offensive coaches wherever he’s been or whatever level. They have a great passing game.”

Arkansas had success against Alabama’s defense early last year, moving the ball up and down the field. The problem was, interceptions killed drives. Arkansas couldn’t punch the ball in the end zone, either. It led to the 49-14 loss.

But Saban knows Arkansas looks a little different this year with Ryan Mallett under center. He said Mallett is executing well.

“They just really lit it up throwing it,” Saban told the Alabama media today. “I think they are very, very dangerous when it comes to making big plays in the passing game. That’s something that we have not seen.”

Categorized | Blog, Football

1 Comments For This Post

Jon Says:
September 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Bama’s defense is very strong. The front four are big and fast and the linebackers are big and even faster. My concerns are the secondary, they will have to on their best game all day. McElroy is very accurate and Julio Jones and Upchurch will be back this week. Bama’s running backs could be the best 4 in the nation and any one of the four could start on any SEC schools team. Bama has a lot of fast recievers with great hands and seldom drop a pass. I think Bama has all the ingredients to make a run at a NC and all around are better than Florida and Texas. Saban has built a monster in just over 2 years with his recruiting skills. I believe that Bama will take this one with a score of 42 10

1 Trackbacks For This Post

Arkansas Headlines – 9/22/09 | MrSEC.com Says:
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:34 am
[...] 1. Receiver Lucas Miller will be back from injury against Alabama on Saturday… and linebacker Jerry Franklin will face “discipline that will be kept in house” for his ejection from last Saturday’s game.2. Tailback Michael Smith will need to start getting more carries in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Ditto Ronnie Wingo.Sidenote — How many times do you think Wingo has heard someone bastardize a famous line from “Tombstone” to fit him? “Why, Ronnie Wingo, you look like somebody just walked over your grave.”3. Bobby Petrino likes what he’s seen from Alabama running back Mark Ingram. “He’s so physical. He breaks tackles. He’s got big hips, big legs.” Not unlike Kim Kardashian. Alright.4. Harry King of The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas takes a look at Petrino’s play-calling against Georgia.5. Nick Saban says Arkansas “is one of the best offensive teams in the country.” [...]

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