Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

The images from the fourth quarter the last two times Arkansas and Alabama have met aren't pretty. In both cases, whether absorbing a 35-7 shellacking in Tuscaloosa or blowing a game in Fayetteville and losing 24-20, the Razorback receivers were all but saying "no mas" down the stretch. The physical, intimidating style of the Alabama defensive backs had won the day.

Last year, in the fourth quarter, Arkansas' usually sure-handed receivers weren't holding on to passes. Yes, much of the blame of the Hogs' collapse in the final six minutes fell to quarterback Ryan Mallett, who made two poor throws, one from deep in his end of the field, that resulted in interceptions; the second one, a feeble attempt to throw the ball away with Arkansas near midfield, let 'Bama run out the clock and escape.

But precious other receptions earlier had been left on the turf too.

And that's the way Nick Saban wants his Crimson Tide to play the game. Offensively, it's a smash-mouth style to wear down the opposing defense, which results in big runs from his strong and speedy running backs. But Saban is also the defensive mind behind the Crimson Tide, insisting on physical play that makes opposing skill players eventually spit the bit over a 60-minute game. And Saban's chief forte is coaching defensive backs.

So, where is Alabama going to most exhibit its coach's demeanor of physicality?

Just look no further than the likes of safeties Mark Barron and Robert Lester, and returning cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. They hit and hit hard, over and over. The do it before long the pass is coming their way instead of to an opposing receiver. It was Lester whose pick over the middle set up 'Bama for the go-ahead score last year, and it was Kirkpatrick was raced to his left sideline and steal Mallett's weak throwaway at the end.

Two years ago, several of Arkansas' vaunted receivers eventually began breaking off their routes — subsequently Mallett had an awful day finding them — against the physical coverage. Greg Childs was on the receiving end of Arkansas' only touchdown pass, which at the time cut Alabama's lead to 14-7 early in the third quarter. But, of all of the Hogs' superlative skill people, only Joe Adams managed a day worth praisin when the 35-7 beatdown was done. Afterward Petrino criticised his team for not believing it could win that day.

Every expert who plots this game and what might decide it first points to Arkansas' plethora of receivers going up against Alabama's pass defense. Of course, plenty of other matchups will affect the outcome, starting with the performance under pressure of the opposing quarterbacks, and surely if the game is close late the respective kicking games will factor.

But it's generally accepted that if Arkansas is to have a chance in Tuscaloosa Saturday, its receivers must step up. For the first time since Bobby Petrino took over the program, his receivers have to personally win the war of muscle and might when the Crimson Tide secondary.

With a junior and three seniors, all who have played since freshmen and been through the difficult off-seasons led by strength coach Jason Veltkamp, it's time for Arkansas receiving corps to no longer back down to anyone, including Alabama's determination to own the airways.

They must lead, and they must do everything they can to help Tyler Wilson convert in the red zone. Alabama's Saban insisted on Wednesday, when quizzed during the SEC coaches teleconference how his defense has been able to hold down Petrino's attack, that Arkansas has moved the ball as well as any opponent his Tide has faced.

While that may be true, Arkansas hasn't crossed the goal line near enough. In three years against LSU and similar defensive ability, Petrino's teams have scored 31, 30 and 31 points. Against Alabama, the Hogs have gone  14, 7 and 20.