TUSCALOOSA — Ryan Mallett probably has a ringing in his head today. [slideshow]

The Arkansas quarterback's mental jukebox is set on AC/DC, and he can't get the rock band's 1980 megahit "Hell's Bells" out of his mind.

It's the song they play in Bryant-Denny Stadium, every time an opponent faces third down against Alabama's defense.

Arkansas faced 14 third downs in a 35-7 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

The Razorbacks converted two.

Alabama's defense changed the tune for an Arkansas offense that rocked through its first two games. The Crimson Tide defense might soon have Alabama headed for No. 1 on the charts, just as in 2008.

"To hold those guys to seven points, I think, is really good," Alabama coach Nick Saban said.

It's no revelation that Alabama's defense is good. It was last year, and a lot of those guys are back. But it was easy to just pencil in Alabama's defense and focus on early season question marks on offense.

The offense has given good answers through four games. New quarterback Greg McElroy has played well enough to make one wonder if he was Alabama's best quarterback last year … all due respect to school record-holder John Parker Wilson.

An offensive line with three new starters has protected McElroy well since the opener against Virginia Tech. With that in mind, Saturday's game figured to fit another AC/DC song with a Touch Too Much offense.

Alabama's offense rocked Arkansas' pitiful defense.

Mallett and Arkansas' offense at least had its moments against Alabama's secondary.

Mallett is no Tyrod Taylor, after all. Mallett can pass far better than his counterpart at Virginia Tech. Mallett passes well enough to make one wonder why Michigan ever let the big-armed quarterback transfer.

As for coaching, Arkansas' Bobby Petrino is no Frank Beamer. Petrino doesn't make his bones eking out defensive and special-teams touchdowns. Petrino does offense and does it well.

He finds subtle weaknesses and match-ups to exploit. He finds them against just about anybody, and he makes them hurt. Petrino sure found them the past time he came to Bryant-Denny. He made it hurt with a little freshman running back named Tre Smith against a pretty good Alabama defense.

But not against Alabama's 2009 defense.

Not close.

Even after linebacker Dont'a Hightower went down with knee injury Saban said "doesn't look good," the defense kept coming.

Mallett rarely had time to look past his first read.

Against the run, Alabama plugged holes and strung out runners to the sideline.

And forget cutbacks or misdrection. It wasn't working.

Arkansas had five drives with three or fewer plays and punted 10 times.

When the Razorbacks managed to string a first down or two together, a drive-killing negative play was never far away.

For all of Petrino's X-and-O expertise and Mallett's talent, an Arkansas offense that scored 41 points against Georgia could not gain footing against Alabama.

One won't often see a Petrino offense struggle so, especially with a quality quarterback.

But Alabama's defense Shook'em All Day Long.

The Tide left'em Thunderstruck and proved that talk that they might be better than last year Ain't Noise Pollution.