GAME NOTES: The second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide take a break from their grueling SEC schedule this weekend, as they host the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Tide continued to roll this past weekend and keep itself in position for a national title appearance, as it marched into Knoxville and emerged with a solid 29-9 victory over Tennessee.

"We played well for 60 minutes," said head coach Nick Saban. "I am proud of our players. Tennessee has a great team and this was a great win. This was a great win and it was great to win up here. I am really happy for the players."

The victory kept Alabama perfect on the year at 8-0 and extended its winning streak to nine games dating back to last season. The current win streak is the longest for the Tide since running off nine straight to start the 2005 season. Alabama now returns back home, where it is set to play three of its final four games of the regular season. The Tide, who sit a perfect 4-0 at home, will play its last road outing of the regular season next weekend in a huge bout versus LSU.

As for ASU, it did not play last weekend, so it has had plenty of time to prepare for this contest. The Red Wolves were last in action on October 18th, when they kicked of a three-game road trip with a 28-23 setback at UL-Layatte. The Sun Belt Conference member dipped to 4-3 following that loss and that includes a 1-2 mark on the road.

ASU and Alabama have met just one time previously on the gridiron, with the Tide capturing a 34-7 victory all the way back in 1982.

The Red Wolves have found great success on the ground this season, as they are gaining 225.1 rushing ypg. The team can also move the ball through the air, passing for 210.6 ppg. Another strength of this unit is its ability to protect the ball, as ASU has committed only eight turnovers on the year. Quarterback Corey Leonard is a dual-threat and he has thrown for 1,474 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to rushing for 349 yards and two mores scores. Leonard however, is coming off a sub par effort in which he completed only 21-of-40 tosses for 235 yards and a touchdown in a 28-23 loss at UL-Lafayette. ASU as a team, managed just 335 total yards in that game, including only 100 on the ground. Reggie Arnold paced the ground attack with 65 yards on 15 carries, and he leads the team with 555 yards and four scores on the season. Derek Lawson has provided a nice change of pace from Arnold and he checks in with 553 yards behind an 8.1 yard per carry average for the season.

ASU has done a respectable job on the defensive side of the ball this season and has yet to allow more than 29 points to an opposing club. The defense is limiting its challengers to 131.4 rushing ypg and 204.4 passing ypg and has forced a solid 18 turnovers thus far. The Red Wolves have even found success in bringing down opposing quarterbacks, notching 21 sacks on the campaign. In the team's last outing, ASU held UL-Lafayette to just 313 total yards, while recording a pair of turnover and five sacks in a losing effort. The unit, though, did struggle to contain the run, surrendering 189 yards in that bout. Alex Carrington was a bright spot in the loss, as he posted two sacks, three TFLs and an interception. It was another stout effort from Carrington, who has caused havoc all season long and leads ASU with 9.5 sacks and 14 TFLs.

The Red Wolves aren't the only team in this game that can move the ball on the ground successfully, as Alabama is gaining 205.4 rushing ypg off a solid 5.0 yard per carry average. The Tide has scored 18 touchdowns on the ground compared to just eight through the air, helping the program average a sound 31.9 ppg for the season. Last weekend, Alabama gained 178 of its 366 total yards via the run and scored all three of its touchdowns on the ground, as it defeated Tennessee 29-9. Roy Upchurch led the way with 86 yards and a score on 14 carries, while Glen Coffee posted 78 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.

On the year, Coffee leads the team with 838 yards and six touchdowns and he is averaging a hardy 6.6 yards per carry. Mark Ingram (420 yards, six scores) and Upchurch (304 yards) are two other backs capable of making things happen for the Tide. At quarterback, John Parker Wilson has done a great job managing the offense and he has completed 61.9 percent of his throws for 1,260 yards, with eight touchdowns against just three interceptions. Last weekend, Wilson converted on 17-of-24 pass attempts for 188 yards and he also posted his second rushing touchdown of the campaign. His main target was Julio Jones, who snared six balls for 103 yards. Jones has been the team's first option in the passing game and he leads the way with 28 catches, 444 yards and four touchdowns.

The Tide's defense has been outstanding through the first eight games, holding opposing teams to a mere 13.8 ppg and only 263.1 total ypg. The defense has been especially stingy against the run, yielding only 62.4 ypg and one touchdown on the ground. Last weekend, Alabama was once again stingy on defense, as it held Tennessee to only 173 total yards, including a mere 36 on the ground. The unit gave up just 10 first downs, while allowing Tennessee to convert on only 3-of-13 third down chances.

"I think the defense did a really good job," said safety Rashad Johnson. "There were times we were put in tough situations and we did a good job of keeping them out of the end zone, especially early in the game. We really stepped up to the challenge and had a pretty good game."

Johnson led the way against Tennessee with six stops and a sack, while Justin Woodall had five stops of his own. For the season, Johnson ranks second on the squad with 45 tackles and Woodall leads the way with four interceptions.

Alabama is clearly the pick here, although the Tide must avoid looking ahead to next weekend's game against LSU. Still, the Tide should be able to dominate on the ground and on defense en route to the victory this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Alabama 35, Arkansas State 7