Bama vs. The West (2009-2016)

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

Meant to post this last week but got busy and didn't get around to it. Here's what we are up against in Bama. I've updated it after our beat down. In some ways this makes me feel better and in other ways worse.

TEAM	G	PPG	PAPG	DIFF	W	L	CL
LSU	9	12.3	21.2	8.9	2	7	2
Ole Miss	8	17.9	32.1	14.2	2	6	1
Auburn	7	22.0	36.6	14.6	2	5	1
A&M	6	21.6	41.2	19.6	1	5	1
MSU	8	7.9	31.3	23.4	0	8	0
Tennessee	8	11.6	35.1	23.5	0	8	2
Arkansas	8	12.3	36.4	24.1	0	8	2
TOTAL	54	14.7	31.5	16.8	7	47	9

<tbody>
</tbody>

Above you'll find the record of every West team (& Tennessee) since 2009 when facing Alabama. It's as ugly as you'd expect. Not only have they only lost seven games in eight seasons of division play, but there were only seven more where the losing team had the ball and a chance to win or tie in the fourth quarter (labeled CL for close loss here). Notice that no team (including LSU!) averages being within a touchdown of them.

For MSU, I was surprised to find out we are the second best team at stopping Bama (we were averaging 28.4 points allowed before last weekend) and the worst at scoring against them (although we are the only team in this list they have not shut out). We've also never had a close loss against them. Best strategy I can come up with is to hope a whole lot of folks write-in Saban for President and he's forced to move to DC.

ETA: Tennessee, since they play Bama every year as well.

 

[57stratdawg]

Honestly I think we're good at stopping Bama because it's usually just a 3Q game for them.

MSU's 7.9 is pathetic.

 

[msstate7]

25-20 was close loss in '14. I know you could say we scored late td; but we actually got the game to within a td... just couldn't stop sims scrambling for 1st downs

 

[Bulldogg31]

I would categorize 2014 as a close loss, not that it matters. We've got to climb back up the hill before we try to scale the Bama mountain.

 

[The Fatboy]

Has Saban lost to the East since 2009?

 

[missouridawg]

25-20 was close loss in '14. I know you could say we scored late td; but we actually got the game to within a td... just couldn't stop sims scrambling for 1st downs

we never had the ball with a chance to lead... right? We scored late and needed the onside kick to have that opportunity, if my memory is correct.

 

[PBRME]

I thought Arkansas always played them close? You mean the message board geniuses on Saturday were wrong? I'm shocked **

ETA my preemptive reply to said geniuses obvious next question. No I'm not happy about the results Saturday. No I'm not happy with the results this season. Yes I think State is capable of doing better. Yes there needs to be changes on the offensive side of the ball. If we didn't just replace the entire defensive staff, and however many D.C.'s in 6 years then I'd want changes there too.

 

[o_dawgnabit]

Has Saban lost to the East since 2009?

South Carolina beat them in 2010 I believe. Last time I can remember an East team beating them

 

[msstate7]

we never had the ball with a chance to lead... right? We scored late and needed the onside kick to have that opportunity, if my memory is correct.

We cut it to 1 score in the 4th. They converted probably 3 3rd and longs to seal the game. No, we didn't have ball though

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

I thought Arkansas always played them close? You mean the message board geniuses on Saturday were wrong? I'm shocked **

ETA my preemptive reply to said geniuses obvious next question. No I'm not happy about the results Saturday. No I'm not happy with the results this season. Yes I think State is capable of doing better. Yes there needs to be changes on the offensive side of the ball. If we didn't just replace the entire defensive staff, and however many D.C.'s in 6 years then I'd want changes there too.

Arkansas has back-to-back 52-0 beatdowns on their ledger. John L. Smith year and Bielema's first year.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

South Carolina beat them in 2010 I believe. Last time I can remember an East team beating them

Yep. Garcia to Alshon Jeffery. Next closest would have to be UGA in SECCG with Aaron Murray.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

We cut it to 1 score in the 4th. They converted probably 3 3rd and longs to seal the game. No, we didn't have ball though

Exactly. All the ones I labeled close losses were games where Bama trailed late or had to make a stand to preserve the lead. 2014 didn't meet that criteria. If we tackle Blake Sims on that scramble it might've been a different story.

 

[SouthFarmchicken]

Never did I say they always played them close.

Over the past 7 games, Arkansas has lost to Bama by one point, four points, and 13 points. This year they lost by 19...but the game was much closer than the score indicated.

Don't let facts get in your way. The two back to back losses of 52-0 completely screw up the results.

Msstate has been the worst against Bama while Mullen has been here. It's not remotely debatable.

 

[pDigital32Dawg]

Having Alabama in the same conference division should be considered a form of NCAA probation. A question was asked on the B&B show today about whether Alabama was bad for college football or not. I don't think they are bad for college football, but it is a terrible thing having to play them every single year.

For Alabama, playing MSU is the equivalent of MSU playing an FCS school except we do not realize our share of the pay cut until Bama has won another natty.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

In addition, we are the closest school geographically to them. It's simply criminal the odds that MSU is up against.

 

[Hoover Dawg]

Alabama routinely beats the hell out of Arkansas....and especially when it matters. Beat the crap out of them in 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013. Solidly beat them the past two years (wasn't close at all). Toyed with them in 2010. 2014 was Alabama's worst played game since Saban's first year, at Fayetteville. They ain't never been a threat.

Troll on, pal.

 

[BulldogBlitz]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U

 

[SouthFarmchicken]

2016-Arkansas had nearly 500 yards of offense this year. Reverse the 100 yard pick 6 at the end of the 3rd and you have a tight game.

2015-Alabama was ahead only 10-7 early in the 4th quarter.

2014-Arkansas outgained Bama by 100 yards and lost by one point. Bama scored a TD in the 4th quarter to win.

2010-Bama has to score 10 unanswered in the 4th quarter to win by 4. They took the lead with 3 mins left.

Two out of the last three games under Bert, Arkansas has had really good chance to win going into the fourth and , in one,they led going into the fourth.

Again, don't let hard FACTS get in your way.

Sure, Arkansas has some blowouts. That's what a huge talent gap does. But they have been a lot more competitive against Bama than we have.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Sims had 3 straight 3rd and long scrambles in that game to seal it for them. It was pretty close in the 2nd half.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Miss St has beaten Arkansas 4 straight times.

2016-Arkansas had nearly 500 yards of offense this year. Reverse the 100 yard pick 6 at the end of the 3rd and you have a tight game.

2015-Alabama was ahead only 10-7 early in the 4th quarter.

2014-Arkansas outgained Bama by 100 yards and lost by one point. Bama scored a TD in the 4th quarter to win.

2010-Bama has to score 10 unanswered in the 4th quarter to win by 4. They took the lead with 3 mins left.

Two out of the last three games under Bert, Arkansas has had really good chance to win going into the fourth and , in one,they led going into the fourth.

Again, don't let hard FACTS get in your way.

Sure, Arkansas has some blowouts. That's what a huge talent gap does. But they have been a lot more competitive against Bama than we have.

You all about moral victories?

 

[patdog]

That's insane dominance. Especially when you consider 2 of those schools have won national championships and all but 1 have been ranked in the top 4 during that time frame.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

Not to split hairs

That's insane dominance. Especially when you consider 2 of those schools have won national championships and all but 1 have been ranked in the top 4 during that time frame.

But LSU's national titles came before that time frame (2003 & 2007). Only Auburn has won a title in the time frame from the chart.

Still, Bama has only been threatened 14 times in 8 seasons. And of those 14 times, they've won 7. It's just stupid.

If you're a Bama fan, every time your team plays in division there's an 85% chance you'll win and a 70% chance you'll not even be threatened in the 4th quarter. No wonder people leave the game early.