Saban Wants to Bottle Up the Running Game to Frustrate the Tigers

'I think the first thing that's import is when they've struggled to run the ball and make big plays, that's when they've had the least amount of success offensively,' Saban said. 'Even though they are a very balanced offensive team and they have a tremendous ability to make big plays throwing the football, the whole synergy of their team seems to center around those guys making great plays.

'I think it's pretty easy to show the defensive players that if we stop the run in this game, this is going to give us the best chance to be successful on defense.'

Part of that game plan is executing the basics.

'No doubt they've got good running backs,' defensive end Bobby Greenwood said. 'I've said before we've got to make sure we finish our tackles. Missed tackles are a big key in any game. Most of their offensive line is big guys, so we've got to come off the ball and explode from the start.

'They're just quick. They shoot straight upfield. Everybody has got to be in their gaps. One guy messes up, it could be a touchdown.'

Alabama faced an exceptional running back tandem last season in Arkansas' Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. McFadden, a first-round NFL draft pick last April, gained 195 yards and Jones added 96 in a 41-38 Tide victory.

'We have to compete against a couple of great backs again,' Arenas said. 'We have that experience, so it makes us that much ready and that much better to stop these guys.'

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