Alabama heads on its big-time October stretch this weekend as it travels to Arkansas in an SEC West showdown.
The Crimson Tide are hoping to continue their conference dominance with a big win over the Razorbacks, while Arkansas wants to finally upset Alabama after years of preparation under Bret Bielema.
MORE: Week 6 TV schedule
Here's how you can watch the SEC West showdown, and keys to victory for both Alabama and Arkansas.
Alabama at Arkansas
When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark.
TV: ESPN
Online: Watch ESPN
Alabama-Arkansas all-time series
The series has been relatively close, a 16-8 Alabama lead, but the Crimson Tide have dominated in the last several years. Alabama has won the last nine games against Arkansas by an average margin of 23.5 points. It really hasn't been close in recent years.
Numbers that matter
400
Arkansas has tallied over 400 yards of total offense in its last four games thanks to the combo of QB Austin Allen and RB Rawleigh Williams III. Despite an increase in total yardage per game under Bret Bielema (357.2 in 2013 to 465.5 in 2015), the Razorbacks have simply struggled on offense against Alabama. They managed just 220 yards last year and 256 in 2013. Arkansas better reach that 400-yard plateau in their fifth-straight game if it wants a chance to beat the Crimson Tide.
5
Alabama leads the nation in defensive touchdowns with five through the first five weeks of the season. Arkansas has turned the ball over seven times this season (five fumbles, two interceptions) and could be prone to coughing the ball up and giving up a score, as the Crimson Tide are very efficient in turning turnovers into touchdowns — they've scored on five of the eight turnovers they've caused this season.
10
Arkansas TE Jeremy Sprinkle has the chance to set the program record for most career touchdowns by a tight end (he's at 10 now; 11 would be the record) and he's been a steady pair of hands for the Razorbacks: 30 of his 42 catches dating back to 2015 have resulted in a first down or touchdown.
Social buzz
Bret Bielema loves to entertain and has a knack for upstaging Nick Saban, so seeing the Arkansas coach's antics on the sideline during the game and his press conference afterwards will be must-watch affairs. We're excited to see what Bielema brings on Saturday.
The big question
Will Alabama get caught looking ahead? Three of its next four games are on the road (at Arkansas, at Tennessee, at LSU) and face three ranked teams in October. The Crimson Tide have a tough test against the Razorbacks this weekend, but if recent history dictates, Alabama should handle Arkansas no problem. Will players take that for granted and get caught looking at the tougher games ahead?
