SABAN ALABAMA: Crimson Tide Rolls Over Arkansas

We all know that a tide is periodic change in sea level caused by the gravitational influences of the sun and moon.

Okay, maybe you didn't know that, but if you've been following Nick Saban's run at Alabama, you know that he—and not the sun or the moon—influences the Crimson Tide.

It looks like Alabama's $32 million investment is paying off nicely.

After one of a pair of SEC showdowns, the usually stoic Nick Saban was obviously delighted to have knocked off the much ballyhooed Darren McFadden and the Arkansas Razorbacks. Saban—the same man that barely cracked a smile after leading LSU to a national title—even showed off his pearly whites.

That's how big this win was.

Before his arrival, the Crimson Tide did anything but rise. But under Saban that's all the Crimson Tide is doing.

They're off to a 3-0 start. They've outscored opponents 117-54, and they've returned to the AP Poll for the first time since '05.

In the Saban-era, the Crimson Tide is indeed rolling.

QB John Parker Wilson looked comfortable in the pocket at the very start of the game; his very first play was 43-yard pass completion to DJ Hall, who had two first quarter TDs that helped put the Crimson Tide up 21-0.

The Razorbacks surged in the second half, and, thanks to D-Mac who took advantage of a tiring defensive front and QB Casey Dick, Arkansas scored 28 unanswered points and led by a touchdown at 8:08 in the fourth quarter.

But Alabama wasn't ready to give in just yet; RB Glenn Coffee helped put the Crimson Tide in field goal position. That field goal was good, making it a one-score game. That's when Alabama's defense stood up, causing a three-and-out which set up a masterful drive by John Parker Wilson that ended with a TD pass to Matt Caddell that gave the Crimson Tide the win.

Statistically speaking, the game was as close as they come, even closer than the score suggests.

Both teams had seven penalities. Both had three turnovers—two interceptions and one fumble for Alabama; the opposite for Arkansas. Both teams finished 7-16 on third down situations. Both teams had exactly 450 yards of offense. Arkansas completed half as many passes, but also took nearly half as many. The Razorbacks dominated on the ground with over twice as many rushing yards as the Tide. Alabama's QB JPK threw for 327 yards, and DJ Hall had six recptions with 172 yards. D-Mac had 33 carries for 195 yards.

‘Bama fans rejoice. Under the Nick Saban era the Crimson Tide is rising fast.

—R. Cooper