The best player in the country will be on the sidelines for this game as Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least this week for the Alabama Crimson Tide after sustaining a high-ankle sprain against Tennessee over the weekend. Tagovailoa is hoping to be healthy for Alabama\u2019s showdown against LSU in Tuscaloosa in two weeks\u2019 time, so Mac Jones will get the start against the Arkansas Razorbacks this week. Arkansas is the worst team in the SEC West, so this team isn\u2019t supposed to give Alabama a real challenge, but we\u2019ll see how Jones performs with the spotlight on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Tagovailoa will miss this game, oddsmakers believe that Alabama will crush Arkansas all the same. The Crimson Tide are the second-largest favorite per the college football betting odds<\/a> in Week 9, with only Clemson favored by more points. Nick Saban has never lost to Arkansas since taking over as Alabama\u2019s head coach, and the Crimson Tide have won four of the last seven meetings between these teams by 30 points or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arkansas has not defeated Alabama since a narrow 24-23 win in Fayetteville back in 2006, and the Razorbacks have only come close to beating the Crimson Tide twice in the last dozen years. They lost 14-13 in 2014, and they fell 24-20 in 2010. However, their closest loss in Tuscaloosa this decade was by 13 points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chad Morris has been playing quarterback roulette this season. Morris has started Texas A&M transfer Nick Starkel and SMU transfer Ben Hicks, but neither quarterback has played well. Starkel has been the bigger threat to make a play, yet he has also thrown six more interceptions than Hicks this campaign. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hicks started against Auburn last week, but he injured his shoulder in the game, and he is questionable to play for Arkansas on Saturday. If Hicks plays, expect a more conservative game plan from Morris and the Hogs, but if Starkel plays, the Razorbacks are more likely to take some chances and perhaps make some mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This offense is ranked 96th in the country per SP+. And one of the few bright spots has been the play of running back Rakeem Boyd. Boyd is averaging 5.5 YPC, but he had his worst outing of the season against Auburn last week. He could have more luck against an Alabama front seven that isn\u2019t as stout up front as we have seen in the past due to injuries and inexperience though. Keep that in mind when it comes to betting player props<\/a> in this game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alabama\u2019s secondary might be the best in college football. Saban\u2019s specialty is defensive backs, and he develops recruits better than anyone we\u2019ve ever seen in the spot. No matter whether Starkel or Hicks plays, it\u2019s very unlikely that the Crimson Tide concede much through the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Without Tagovailoa available, it will be interesting to see whether the Crimson Tide revert to the bully-ball tactics that were so prevalent early in Saban\u2019s tenure. Mac Jones is a competent quarterback, but he is no Tua, and Alabama should be able to run all over Arkansas\u2019 front seven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In limited action, Jones has completed 62.5 percent of his passes for 237 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He hasn\u2019t been asked to stretch the field, and he will likely only test the defensive backs a few times despite having the best trio of receivers in the country. Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III are already likely first-round picks, and Devonta Smith could be a first rounder as well given his recent performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Najee Harris could be in line for a hefty workload with Alabama on a bye next week. Harris is averaging 5.9 YPC this season, and he is the No. 1 back for the Crimson Tide. Arkansas is allowing 5.1 YPC on the year, so don\u2019t be surprised if Harris posts his best numbers this season. If his over\/under for yards is anything less than 110 rushing yards, bet the over<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, Alabama just want to win by a comfortable margin. The Crimson Tide have no need to make a statement, and they simply want to beat the Razorbacks by double digits and start preparing for LSU. Morris may look to shorten the game and move away from the hurry-up, so I like Arkansas\u2019 chances to cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get the latest college football odds and information–follow BetOnline.ag on Twitter<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\nRECENT HISTORY<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHEN ARKANSAS HAS THE BALL<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
WHEN ALABAMA HAS THE BALL<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
PREDICTION<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n