Spring Break
Arkansas helped by element of suprise against 'Bama
Matt Watson
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports
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Apparently, Alabama coach Nick Saban has Darren McFadden and the Arkansas offense all figured out.
"They're basically [starting] from a spread-out offense running a lot of wishbone principles in their zone options, creating a pitchman with somebody going in motion, running a misdirection zone read," Saban said at a Monday press conference.
Basically.
Saban did admit that some people have problems tackling the Razorback rushing tandem that gained about 2,700 yards together.
"It's really important to keep leverage on them, tackle well, and get a lot of people around the ball so we don't have a lot of one-on-one tackles," Saban said.
When asked about preparing for Arkansas and trying to simulate a player like McFadden in practice, he gave an obvious answer.
"If we could simulate [McFadden] in practice, we'd play the guy. I wish we had one," Saban said.
That's one option Saban won't have on Saturday.
To try to prepare for game speed, Alabama has put its fastest players from the scout team into the backfield, regardless of position.
"When they run the option," Saban said, "it's not as easy because the point of attack moves, from the dive to the guy carrying the ball to the pitch. Everybody's got to maintain responsibility."
To make matters worth for the Crimson Tide coaching staff, Arkansas has had an extra week to prepare coming off a bye week.
"We have a few more things," Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee said. "That's what an open week gives you, a little bit more time to polish some things you haven't shown the week before."
The Razorbacks are one of five teams that have bye weeks before they play Alabama this year. Mississippi State is the only other SEC school with more than one team coming off a bye week.
Saban said that there are obvious advantages to having an additional week of practice, that the extra week allows you to make changes that can counter the other team's preparation.
"They're basically [starting] from a spread-out offense running a lot of wishbone principles in their zone options, creating a pitchman with somebody going in motion, running a misdirection zone read," Saban said at a Monday press conference.
Basically.
Saban did admit that some people have problems tackling the Razorback rushing tandem that gained about 2,700 yards together.
"It's really important to keep leverage on them, tackle well, and get a lot of people around the ball so we don't have a lot of one-on-one tackles," Saban said.
When asked about preparing for Arkansas and trying to simulate a player like McFadden in practice, he gave an obvious answer.
"If we could simulate [McFadden] in practice, we'd play the guy. I wish we had one," Saban said.
That's one option Saban won't have on Saturday.
To try to prepare for game speed, Alabama has put its fastest players from the scout team into the backfield, regardless of position.
"When they run the option," Saban said, "it's not as easy because the point of attack moves, from the dive to the guy carrying the ball to the pitch. Everybody's got to maintain responsibility."
To make matters worth for the Crimson Tide coaching staff, Arkansas has had an extra week to prepare coming off a bye week.
"We have a few more things," Arkansas offensive coordinator David Lee said. "That's what an open week gives you, a little bit more time to polish some things you haven't shown the week before."
The Razorbacks are one of five teams that have bye weeks before they play Alabama this year. Mississippi State is the only other SEC school with more than one team coming off a bye week.
Saban said that there are obvious advantages to having an additional week of practice, that the extra week allows you to make changes that can counter the other team's preparation.
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