Arkansas football vs. Alabama: Scouting report, prediction for Razorbacks' Week 7 game

Arkansas football hopes to end a 20-year drought with a win against Alabama, but faces a tough challenge.

This weekend, the Arkansas football team will travel to Alabama with hopes of breaking their four-game losing streak and ending a 20-year drought against the Crimson Tide. The Razorbacks, currently 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the SEC, will face the No. 11 ranked Alabama team (5-1, 3-0) on Saturday morning.

Arkansas has struggled in close games this season, losing three games by just one possession. Their most recent defeat came against Ole Miss, which was a disappointing loss for the team. On the other hand, Alabama is coming off an impressive victory over Texas A&M, solidifying their position as favorites in the SEC West.

One key player to watch in this matchup is Jalen Milroe, Alabama's quarterback. While he may not be the most consistent quarterback, he possesses a certain level of electricity that strikes fear in opposing defenses. Milroe has shown his ability to make big plays both with his legs and through downfield throws. He has been particularly successful on passes that travel 20 yards or more, completing 17 out of 25 attempts for 605 yards and seven touchdowns, without throwing a single interception.

Jermaine Burton has been Milroe's go-to target down the field, averaging 22.7 yards per catch and scoring four touchdowns. Arkansas, however, has a beat-up secondary with safety Alfahiym Walcott and cornerback Jaylon Braxton questionable for the game. The Razorbacks will need to limit big plays and force Milroe into longer drives if they want to have a chance at an upset.

One potential weakness for Alabama is their offensive line, which ranks 125th in the country in sacks allowed per game. Arkansas should look to replicate the success that Texas had against Alabama, where they managed to sack the quarterback five times. Putting pressure on the Alabama offense and disrupting their backfield can create momentum for the Razorbacks' defense.

On the other side of the ball, the Arkansas offensive line has struggled throughout the season and will face their toughest test yet against Alabama's formidable defensive line. Alabama has recorded at least six tackles for loss and four sacks in each of their last four games. Their defense ranks fifth in the country in sacks per game, and they are led by Dallas Turner, a projected first-round draft pick.

One area where Arkansas must be particularly cautious is turnovers. Alabama has a strong track record of forcing turnovers, having done so in 106 of their last 119 games since the start of the 2015 season. They have forced a total of 185 turnovers during that time, with 41 of them resulting in touchdowns. While Arkansas currently has a slightly better turnover margin than Alabama, it is skewed by their five forced turnovers against Western Carolina. In their recent games, the Razorbacks have had a negative turnover margin.

Taking care of the ball will be crucial for Arkansas, especially considering that quarterback KJ Jefferson has thrown five interceptions in his last three games. Alabama's defense, if given the opportunity, can create points off turnovers.

Overall, the Arkansas team feels like a good matchup for Alabama when the Crimson Tide has possession of the ball. However, when Arkansas is on offense, they face a tough challenge against Alabama's defense. With a struggling offensive line, it is unlikely that the Razorbacks will find success running the ball or protecting their quarterback. As a result, the losing streak for Arkansas is expected to extend to five games. The pressure will be on the team to turn their season around in their next game at home against Mississippi State.

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