Arkansas completes midweek preparations for Alabama
FAYETTEVILLE — Junior Arkansas tight end Cheyenne “C.J.” O’Grady practiced Wednesday and should be ready for Saturday’s Southeastern Conference game against No. 1 Alabama (5-0, 2-0).
O’Grady was in a green jersey Wednesday to limit contact. He is reportedly recovering from the waning stages of strep throat.
The Razorbacks (1-4, 0-2) will host the Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0) Saturday at 11 a.m. at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. The game will be televised by ESPN (Resort Channel 30)
O’Grady caught three passes for 77 yards in a 24-17 loss on Saturday against Texas A&M (3-2, 1-1) in the annual Southwest Classic at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. His presence seems especially needed, along with with junior tight end Austin Cantrell and sophomore tight end Grayson Gunter, because senior Jeremy Patton underwent surgery this week on the ankle he injured against the Aggies.
“We expect C.J. to be full speed,” said Arkansas head coach Chad Morris. “We’re excited about his progress and how he’s come on, especially last week, and will continue to come on.”
Patton and backup defensive tackle Briston Guidry will not play this week, but Morris said he expects both to return by the season’s end. Guidry had arthroscopic knee surgery this week and is on crutches.
Morris said junior junior running back Devwah Whaley is “doubtful” against Alabama as he is still recovering from a concussion sustained two weeks ago in a 34-3 loss at Auburn (4-1, 1-1). The coach also said third-year sophomore Dylan Hills, the first-team center at the close of last spring’s drill but idled since August by an ailing back, will apply for a medical hardship. Cornerback Britto Tutt has deemed game ready after missing the Texas A&M game injured the previous week against Auburn.
Nick Saban’s Tide rates as a 35-point favorite over the Hogs. Morris talks respect toward Alabama, but he publicly ignores the odds and expectations. He said the whole week from Sunday’s first practice through the game on Saturday is devoted to improving the team itself.
“Well, another opportunity to come out here today and get better,” Morris said before Wednesday’s practice. “These guys continue to respond, absolutely locked in ready to go. We’ve got a great opportunity in front of us. There’s no doubt about that. We embrace the opportunity and look forward to the challenge that we have ahead of us.”
Gene Chizik, the former national champion coach at Auburn and current ESPN college football analyst, said the Razorbacks improved in their SEC losses to Auburn and Texas A&M over the “anomaly” of the 44-17 home loss to North Texas (4-1, 0-1 Conference USA).
“You turn it over six times with a pick-six and give up a punt return touchdown and nobody’s going to win doing that,” Chizik said Wednesday addressing the Northwest Arkansas Touchdown Club.
Chizik said he anticipates the Razorbacks continuing improvement but as for it reflecting in Saturday’s score, “Not this week.”
Saban has won five national championships at Alabama but this Tide team beats them all, Chizik explained because of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. His previous national champion teams had good college quarterbacks, including 2015 national champion quarterback Jalen Hurts now No. 2, complementing Alabama’s NFL talent within a framework, Chizik said.
Chizik said Tagovailoa complements receivers like no other Alabama quarterback of the Saban era. He is 66-for-88, 75 percent, with 1,161 yards and 14 touchdowns against zero interceptions, plus rushing at 5.8 per carry with two touchdowns.
“The thing he does that’s different than probably what Alabama has had, he puts the ball in places that gives his wide receivers the chance to make plays with the ball in their hands,” Chizik said.
“It’s one thing when a guy reaches behind him to make the catch. It’s another to catch the ball on the run full stride. He really gives them an opportunity to make yards after the catch and that’s what you are seeing right now. He’s accurate. He’s got poise and if he gets hurt they’ve got another really good one right behind him.”
Dan Enos, Arkansas’ play-calling offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2015-17 under former coach Bret Bielema, now coaches Tagovailoa and Hurts.
“I think Dan has done a really good job with our guys,” Saban said on Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “The quarterbacks have a very defined read. They don’t predetermine before the snap. They develop confidence going through that progression so you are getting the ball in the right place at the right time. I think Dan has helped them understand exactly what the expectation is on every play.”
Morris was asked before Wednesday’s practice about Enos’ ability to provide Alabama with a firsthand evaluation of most of Arkansas’ roster.
“He’ll know your personnel and there are probably some things and some relationships they’ve built from the guys he knew well,” Morris said. “I’m sure that those discussions will happen.”