The top-ranked Alabama football team hosted Arkansas on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium with some questions to answer. Here are four of them, and how UA responded:
1. How will Alabama finish?
After failing to put away Texas A&M a week earlier after building a big lead, Alabama steadily buried Arkansas. Except for for a late, cheap touchdown allowed in the final moments, Alabama kept the pressure up to the end.
2. What will the turnover margin be?
Alabama came into the contest at plus-12 in turnover margin, but the Crimson Tide lost one of three fumbles and Jalen Hurts threw his first interception of the season. Arkansas threw one interception and didn’t lose a fumble.
3. Will the Crimson Tide mount an effective pass rush?
With Arkansas playing a big-and-tall backup, Cole Kelley, in place of injured Austin Allen, Alabama was able to tee off. The Crimson Tide notched five sacks and was credited with 11 quarterback hurries.
4. Can UA’s offensive line get it together?
Crimson Tide rolled for 308 yards on the ground, including some explosive runs by Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Jalen Hurts, but the line did allow Hurts to be sacked twice and forced into a few scrambles. Alabama got a good outing from its blocking unit, but can still improve.
