Five Questions Arkansas Must Answer To Defeat Aggies

On paper there are some potential holes the Razorbacks could leap through but they may have to clear all hurdles to break long losing streak.

Saturday is set to be another nail-biting rivalry game on Saturday morning between Arkansas and Texas A&M. Winning the Southwest Classic is often an indicator where each team will finish in the SEC each season. With a win, the Razorbacks could be setting themselves up for a major comeback on the season, ending a two-game losing streak.

The Aggies have lost only once in this rivalry since joining the SEC in 2012 and the Hogs are hoping to be on the winning side of things for the second time in three years. Dropping to under .500 overall this early in the season would definitely be below expectations in year four of the Sam Pittman era. If the Hogs find a way to win on Saturday they must answer these questions precisely.

Will Hogs Eliminate Penalties?

Over the past couple of weeks the Hogs have committed 25 penalties for 194 total yards. They are continually shooting themselves in the foot in each game and has kept them from a potential 4-0 start to the season.

False starts have been the most frequent frustration in the Hogs' front. Even the tight ends have had issues. Back-to-back calls on Nathan Bax nearly killed a game tying drive before it could start last week against LSU. Left guard Brady Latham has received criticism recently for the same penalty but in some of the most critical moments of the game. After a perfectly executed fake field goal, Latham committed a false start. Instead of being able to go ahead again, the Hogs hit a chip shot field goal to pull within one.

Does Arkansas Avoid Torch Day From Backup Quarterback?

Lynn Bowden. Max Johnson. TJ Finley. Jalen Milroe. Stetson Bennett.

These are just a few recent names of backup quarterbacks inserted into games due to injury that ended up coming away with victories over the Hogs. The 2019 game against Kentucky didn't see too much aerial action, but the Wildcats did rush for over 300 yards that night with 194 of them coming from Bowden.

In 2020, the Hogs allowed a pair of no-name's to carve up their defense with stellar performances. One of those was against defending national champions LSU, who were on the ropes at home. Arkansas had no answer that day for true freshman quarterback TJ Finley. He went on to have one of his finest performances in his college career with 271 yards and 2 touchdown passes.

Former Georgia star Bennett was a little-known backup when his number was called during the second quarter of the season opener in 2020. Despite not having success on offense in the first half, Bennett lit up the scoreboard in the third quarter on the way to the Bulldogs' 37-10 victory. The rest is history.

Can Hogs Generate Run Game?

Videos have surfaced on Twitter this week with Raheim "Rocket" Sanders looking more like himself in practice. If the Razorbacks were able to add their star running back to the fold it could allow the offense to evolve more. Fresh off a solid performance against LSU where Rashod Dubinion touched the ball 18 times for 113 yards it looked like the Hogs were running game was starting to get back on track. 

The Aggies aren't one of the best run defenses in the SEC, ranking eighth in yards per attempt at 3.43. They have give up just one rushing touchdown all season. One big question is if Texas A&M will buckle under pressure of stopping an improving Arkansas run game or will they sell out to stop it while forgetting their pass defense?

Does Texas A&M Actually Have A Pass Defense?

There should be respect given to the Aggie secondary as they have one of the better pass defenses in the conference. They are only allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 53% of their throws but have also given up five touchdown passes.

What's the verdict though? None of their opponents to this point have fielded a solid passing game either. New Mexico (94), ULM (132) and Auburn (113) weren't necessarily up for the challenge either as their passing offenses rank at the bottom of the county in yards per game.

Against Miami, the Aggies yielded nearly 400 passing yards and 5 touchdowns to Tyler Van Dyke. The question will be if the Hogs' receiver will be able to continue creating separation from their defenders. Outside of the BYU game, They haven't struggled with dropped passes either. There is at least a glimmer of hope the Hogs' offense continues to develop against the Aggies.

Will Razorbacks Avoid Tight End Dump Play?

Whew! If there is one play the defense has continued to struggle with during the first four games of the season it is the backside tight end dump play. It has often come at some of the unluckiest times when the opposing quarterback is in scramble mode and needing to find a passing option quickly. LSU tight end Mason Taylor was able to sneak by the the Hogs' defense on a pair or receptions to extend drives with first downs. 

BYU tight end Isaac Rex exposed the Hogs' defense repeatedly two weeks ago with 4 receptions for 56 yards including huge third down plays. Bobby Petrino's offense hasn't utilized their tight end's much to start the season but sophomore Jake Johnson has been reliable when called upon. If Petrino is able to spot the Hogs' weakness in underneath coverage it could be a long game.

HOGS FEED:

RAZORBACKS LOOKING FOR MOTIVATION WHEREVER THEY CAN FIND IT AGAINST TEXAS A&M THESE DAYS

JOHNNY MANZIEL WAS MORE SLIGHT OF HAND TRICKSTER THAN WIZARD; DIFFERENT AGGIE WAS CHOSEN ONE WHEN FACING HOGS

NO NEED TO REMIND PITTMAN OF RAZORBACKS' RECORD LATELY AGAINST AGGIES

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