AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Jonathan Williams helps lead one of the most effective running games in the nation.Perhaps overshadowed by the games involving teams from the state of Mississippi, the SEC West has another big game Saturday when Alabama heads to Arkansas (6 ET on ESPN).

FBS Rushing Ranks - This Season

A key matchup in the game with be Alabama’s run defense against Arkansas’ run offense.

The Crimson Tide lead the SEC in rush defense (64.0 YPG), and Arkansas leads the conference in rush offense (316.6 YPG).

Alabama rushing defense

Alabama's average of 64.0 rushing yards allowed per game is third-fewest in the FBS. They have allowed one rushing touchdown, tied for the fewest among FBS teams.

The Tide have held four of their five opponents to fewer than 75 yards rushing, tied with Louisville and Boise State for the most such games by an FBS defense.

Excluding sacks, opponents have not gained yards on 28 percent of their carries against Alabama, the third-best rate for a defense in the FBS and nine percentage points better than the FBS average.

Alabama Rushing Defense

Outside Tackles This Season

The Tide rarely give up big plays in the running game. They have allowed an FBS-low nine runs of 10 yards or longer.

A key has been not allowing opponents to set the edge. The Tide have allowed a Power Five-low 2.5 yards per designed run outside the tackles and are one of four Power Five defenses that have not allowed a touchdown on such a run.

Arkansas rushing offense

Not only does Arkansas run more often (68 percent of plays) and for more yards (316.6 per game) than any other SEC team, but it also is efficient in doing so.

The Razorbacks are averaging 6.9 yards per rush and lead the nation in rushing efficiency, which measures an offense’s contribution to a team’s scoring margin on rushing plays. Arkansas is contributing an FBS-high 16 points per game to its scoring margin on rushes.

What makes the Razorbacks so efficient is their ability to gain ground on first and second down. The Razorbacks are averaging 6.9 yards per rush on first or second down and gaining a first down on an FBS-high 30 percent of those plays.

That leads to Arkansas avoiding third downs (sixth-fewest in the FBS), which is a factor that has been shown to correlate with winning by ESPN’s production analytics team.

Running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins have led the way for Arkansas. They have combined for 1,107 rush yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, which is the third-most rushing yards and most rushing touchdowns of any running back duo in the nation.

A lot of their success can be attributed to a line that has been able to open holes.

Highest Percentage of Rushes

Gaining 5+ Yards - This Season

The Razorbacks are averaging an SEC-high 4.2 yards before contact per rush and have gained at least five yards on an FBS-best 54 percent of rushes.

As noted above, Alabama has been great at limiting opponents outside the tackles, but that area is a strength for the Razorbacks. They lead the SEC in yards per rush (8.1) and touchdowns (nine) on designed runs outside of the tackles.

Something has to give

Arkansas has gained at least 150 rushing yards and is averaging four yards per rush in each of its games this season. Alabama has not allowed any of its opponents to run for 150 yards or average four yards per rush in a game.

We may know how this game will play out after the first 15 minutes. Arkansas is averaging 8.4 yards per rush and 99.6 rushing yards in the first quarter. If Alabama can slow Arkansas’ ground attack early, it may go a long way toward determining this game.