STEWART MANDEL'S Extra Points

Top-ranked Alabama is showing some warts: mainly a nonexistent pass-rush. The Tide defense, which has just four sacks through four games, gave up 357 passing yards to Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett but survived to win 24--20, in large part by picking him off three times. . . . One of the nation's most underappreciated QBs, N.C. State's Russell Wilson(below), has three 300-yard passing games with 11 TDs and just one interception to lead the Wolfpack's best start (4--0) since 2002.... Georgia coach Mark Richt is in dangerous territory: The Dawgs are 0--3 in the SEC for the first time in his tenure. Star receiver A.J. Green's return from suspension should boost Georgia's struggling offense, but Richt may need to beat Florida on Oct. 30 to quiet the masses.

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TODD KIRKLAND/ICON SMI (WILSON)