QB Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (6'6, 238) -- Jimmy Clausen 2.0. This performance reinforced everything I dislike about Mallett: terrible footwork, irresponsible decisions and lack of mental toughness. All of his interceptions had no explanation and basically cost his team the game.

On the first pick, a lazy throw directly to the safety in the end-zone, Arkansas had 3rd and goal from the six. They lined up in an empty set with four wide receivers and tight end D.J. Williams on the line -- basically trips left (3x2). Alabama countered by splitting their safeties high-low: Barron came down as the underneath robber, slightly offset to the right, while Lester went left, playing the trips side as help over the top.

With only 10 yards to defend, you cannot complete a dig route to Wright against that coverage! Lester was there to take away inside routes to Wright's side, and Mallett should've known that when he read the safeties pre-snap. Yet he just stared down Wright, as if mind-powers would levitate two defenders out of the ball's path. Easy pick for Lester.

Even worse, is that if Mallett had just looked to the left and drawn Barron with him (which he did), the split end was wide open on the other side! Fitzpatrick was playing outside leverage and couldn’t stop any slant (precisely the route the Arkansas receiver ran).

The second interception was a horrible throw, high (he missed high a lot) and over the middle into double coverage. Same for the third pick, which should've been thrown out of bounds and 10 rows deep. He could've had another interception in the first half when he threw a pass while falling to his knees sideways -- it hit Barron directly in his stone hands. That was also in the red-zone, so more proof of Mallet’s amazing ball security.

Aside from the poor decisions, however, even worse was his inability to handle adversity -- crying to the officials after every play in Arkansas' final two series. Yet he's the first guy to get in a defender's face or start shooting imaginary guns after a long touchdown pass. You can't have a NFL quarterback who is so childishly emotional.

RB Mark Ingram, Alabama (5'10, 215) -- A lot of people say Emmitt, and that's a good one, but to me he's also reminiscent of Edgerrin James. Nimble feet, great vision and burst. Both have soft hands and contribute well in the passing game. Edge might've been a little faster pre-ACL surgeries, but neither claim track speed and Ingram is stronger (while fumbling way less). Ingram also has great balance when he changes direction, and runs with better pad level than teammate Richardson.

DL Marcell Dareus, Alabama (6'4, 306) -- He's gained about 20 pounds since last season, not sure if it was just natural or the coaches insisted. Perhaps because of it, he's not as explosive off the edge -- although that might have to do with being out of game shape because of the suspension. Alabama plays him inside and out, depending on down and distance. I'm not sure if he makes a better 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle at this point. Got a little high at times against Arkansas and left early with an injury.