[Tuck4Bama]

It's not clear if Arkansas' week off gives it a clear advantage

TUSCALOOSA - Five teams have open dates before they play Alabama this season, including four in the SEC.

It starts Saturday against Arkansas, which last played Sept. 1 against Troy. Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn also have open dates before playing Alabama.

But how much difference does it make? How much of an advantage do the Razorbacks have? How much of a disadvantage does Alabama have?

Based on recent history in the SEC, teams with extra preparation time don't benefit. In fact, it's better not to have an open date.

From 2004-2006, SEC teams coming off an open date that played league opponents had an 18-22 record.

Still, the perception is that open dates help those who have them and put the opponent at a disadvantage. Alabama coach Nick Saban made a point in his opening comments of Monday's press conference of saying that five teams have open dates before playing the Tide.

And Arkansas coach Houston Nutt said it has helped the Razorbacks' preparation for Alabama to have extra time.

"I don't like open dates," Nutt said. "I usually like playing right on through.
"But this probably came at a pretty good time for us because of the change with Coach Saban and what he does defensively - that gave us a little more time - and what he's done offensively. That will help us."

Tide case open on open dates- al.com

[Stoney]

Hey Nutt!

Saban is going to run the ball and on defense he will blitz. That won't help the Razorbacks one bit because Alabama is pissed over losing to them last year.

[TrashMan]

To me it's better to keep on the ROLL instead of an open date. The one advantage of an open date is if you have injuries you have an extra week to heal up.

[Stoney]

Taking the extra time off destroys a teams rythms.