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Arkansas versus Alabama: Houston Nutt Era Overview

Danny West

Recruiting Analyst
Oct 24, 2004
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LSU vs. Auburn, Alabama vs. LSU, Auburn vs. Arkansas. Most people believe that these games are the biggest in deciding who wins the SEC West division each year. While I tend to think the game with the most implications every season is the Alabama/Arkansas match-up, that we'll see in a few days. Below, I will give my reasons why.

1998 - Arkansas had a brand new coach in Houston Nutt. Alabama came to Fayetteville, and Arkansas stunned the Tide with a 42-6 beat-down. Arkansas was co-champions in the West at 9-3, and Alabama went 7-5.

1999 - An even better example of how this game affected both teams' seasons. Arkansas went to Tuscaloosa and lost by seven, 35-28. Alabama won the West, ending at 10-3 and lost only one SEC game that year (to Tennessee). Arkansas ended at 8-4. So, the first two years, the winner was either co-champion or out-right champion in the West.

2000 - Here's a solid illustration of how this game can mean the difference in a bowl game or sitting at home in the post season. Alabama visited Fayetteville to take on the rebuilding Hogs, and the Hogs won in the final minutes, 28-21, the night Cedric Cobbs went down with a shoulder injury. Arkansas went 6-6 and played in a bowl, while Alabama finished at 3-8.

2001 - In Tuscaloosa, Arkansas had virtually no QB production, and was stomped, 31-10. Arkansas went on to a 7-5 record, as did Alabama.

2002 - In what many Hog fans to believe to be the best atmosphere (before the kickoff) of any Arkansas home game ever, Alabama rolled in to the 'Ville and blasted Arkansas from the jump, 30-12. Alabama went 10-3, and was technically the West Champions, but due to infractions was not post-season eligible. Arkansas won the West, finishing with a 9-5 record.

2003 - Probably my best example of how this series sends one team one way, and the other team the other way. Alabama led this game 31-10 in the 3rd quarter. The Arkansas team who had defeated Texas looked pitiful for three quarters, and then came alive. Arkansas went on to win in OT, 34-31. Arkansas ended at 9-4, Alabama went 4-9.

2004 - This one was tricky. Arkansas won the game by 17 points in Fayetteville, but failed to win close ones down the road and the Hogs finished at 5-6. Alabama kept improving, and the Tide finished at 6-6, and was bowl-eligible. This was the only time Arkansas won this game, and finished below .500.

2005 - Alabama had one of the best defenses in the country in this season, and won the game in Alabama, 24-13. Alabama went 10-2, Arkansas ended at 4-7. If not for losing in OT to LSU, Alabama would have played for the SEC Championship.

2006 - Everybody remembers this game. Last year in Fayetteville, it was an even match-up all game long, with a lot of sloppy mistakes and miscues on both teams' part. In the end, Alabama missed out on too many extra point and field goal opportunities, and lost 24-23 in OT. Arkansas won the West, Alabama went 6-7.

It's still very early in the year, but it would appear to me that everybody is playing for second-place in the West this year. LSU is very, very good, but if Arkansas were to beat Alabama this weekend, at least they have a legit shot in Baton Rouge if it comes down to it.

I was excited for the opener against Troy all spring and summer long, but in the back of my mind, I knew this Alabama game was the one.

Arkansas is 7-5 against Alabama since 1995.
Arkansas is 5-4 under Houston Nutt versus the Tide.
Arkansas is 3-3 in Tuscaloosa since 1995, and 1-3 under Houston Nutt.

Should be a great game, and if I'm guessing, I'd say the winner of this game wins 10, while the loser settles for 7-8 wins in 2007.

This post was edited on 9/12 2:38 PM by Trey Biddy
 
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