FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- Maybe it wasn't as thrilling as that double-overtime game down in College Station, but a mighty message was sent by Alabama on Saturday.
With its 49-30 victory over No. 16 Arkansas, the top-ranked Crimson Tide looked like the Alabama of old -- you know, the one that's won all those titles -- for the better part of four quarters Saturday night, playing like a team possessed. Playing like a team that had a point to prove at the start of a treacherous four-game stretch that will define Alabama's season.
It wasn't always pretty, but Alabama played about as complete game it could on offense, racking up 35 points and 396 yards (214 rushing) by halftime.