Slant city

Alabama has turned multiple slant routes into big plays and touchdowns this season, utilizing sprinters as wideouts like DeVonta Smith, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle.

Because the wideouts are so fast, some cornerbacks give cushions to prevent them from sprinting past for over-the-top plays. When they have a cushion, the wideouts are dangerous after the catch.

“They’re fast and they’re electric,” Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan said. “I think one of their best plays is slants. If you score on slants the majority of the time, then obviously you’ve got something going for you.”

Arkansas defensive coordinator John Chavis noted how dangerous slants and their off-shoots can be.

“They throw the slants then they’ve got the double move where they take that step inside for the slant then they come back out and they’re up the field,” Chavis said. “Great skill athletes, that puts a lot of pressure on you. We’ve got to be able to defend it because I know we’re going to see it.”

Last week, Tennessee Coach Jeremy Pruitt said he’s not sure the Tide slants can be stopped.

“I’ve not seen a team yet that can go out there and guard them,” he said. “If you can just go out there and guard them, then that’s the answer, right?

“But I’ve yet to see one yet that can do that. So I think you have to be able to mix it up, and if you can get a tipped ball here or there, or get them off schedule on a route, maybe mixing up the coverages or bumping them at the line, I mean, there’s certain things. But there’s not anybody that has shut them down over the last couple of years.”