Nelson Chenault – US Presswire
It has been a devastating week for John L. Smith and his Arkansas Razorbacks football team, but the hype pertaining to their SEC showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide this upcoming weekend is still there. In fact, I am declaring one of the battles within the battle, must-see TV. Razorbacks running-back Knile Davis, against the crimson red defense.
Yes, Arkansas lost their week two game to the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, and yes, they have injury worries regarding senior quarterback Tyler Wilson. However, the sizzle for this game is still there.
Alabama’s last loss came to Les Miles and his Louisiana State University Tigers in 2011. Since that loss, the crimson tide went on to beat LSU in the 2011 National Championship, send several players to the NFL through the draft, pound the the Michigan Wolverines in this year’s season opener, and shutout the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers last week.
Of course it’s must-see TV! Knile Davis has a chance to pound the rock down Alabama’s throat, and dethrone the current kings of college football. Davis is looking to regain his 2010 form, as he rushed for over 1300 yards and scored 14 touchdowns that year. (He missed entire 2011 season due to injury)
The Razorbacks stud running-back has had a sub-par start to the 2012 season, as he has only been able to rush for 132 yards on 34 carries, 3.9 yards-per-carry. He did find the end-zone in both games, but the level of competition is about to change and this is a chance for Davis to swing momentum back in his favor.
Davis is going to get the bulk of touches in this game and must be successful to keep Bama’s offense off the field. I expect Wilson will play, but the Arkansas offensive -line failed to keep him upright against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and Louisiana-Monroe. Alabama’s defensive-line, a bigger demon.
It’s the Bama line-backing core that Davis will be introduced to that should worry Arkansas fans. It’s lead by senior Nico Johnson and junior C.J. Mosley. Alabama breeds future NFL line-backers, and these two are certainly on their way to the league.
Sophomore line-backers Adrian Hubbard and Xzavier Dickson will also be expected to take snaps in effort to contain the Arkansas running-back.
Davis has the speed, ability to grind tough yards and talent to catch the rock out of the backfield, making him a complete back. Can the 6’0, 226 pound running-back get back on track against Alabama? He is surely going to bring the boom upon collision and try.
Paul Bentley is a contributor to Rant Sports
Follow Bentley on Twitter at @KKingBentley
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