Kansas vs Arkansas Liberty Bowl Preview: An Offensive Showcase in Memphis

The Jayhawks are playing in their first bowl game in 14 years when they take on the Razorbacks from the SEC.

It’s happening. Kansas is playing in a bowl game in late December. And thousands of Jayhawk fans are flocking to Memphis to see it in person.

And with Missouri deciding it would rather celebrate Christmas losing to Wake Forest than Kansas, the Jayhawks will now take on fellow SEC member Arkansas in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Opponent Overview

Team: Arkansas

Record: 6-6

Line: ARK -3

Team Form

Arkansas’ resume is a fascinating one, with four games decided by three points or less and seven by double digits. Three of those three-point-or-less games were in the Razorbacks’ final four games of the year, and Arkansas lost all three of them (Liberty, LSU, and Missouri to end the year). The other was a 23-21 loss to Texas A&M in late September.

Otherwise, the Razorbacks were either winning or losing by double digits. The only other one-score game was a seven-point win over Cincinnati to start the season.

Players to Watch

Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson is the heart of the Razorbacks’ offense, which is by far the most dangerous unit for Arkansas. He’s a dual-threat QB who is completing 68% of his passes with a 22:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, while also rushing for 510 yards and seven touchdowns. It also should be pointed out that Arkansas has only lost four times with Jefferson in the game, as he missed the Mississippi State and LSU games due to injury.

Raheim Sanders has had a breakout sophomore campaign on the ground, rushing for 1,426 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns, as the Razorbacks rushed for 223 yards per game. Meanwhile, Jadon Haselwood was Jefferson’s top receiving target, pulling down 59 catches for 702 yards and three touchdowns.

But Arkansas won’t be at full strength. The Razorbacks’ top two tacklers – Drew Sanders and contender for the best name in the SEC Bumper Pool – won’t be playing while they prepare for the NFL Draft. This is huge considering Sanders had 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss along with three forced fumbles. Arkansas also won’t have its third-leading receiver, Ketron Jackson Jr, who is transferring to Baylor.

Matchups to Watch

The Razorbacks’ defense was already the struggling unit, giving up nearly 29 points per game, and that was with Sanders and Pool playing. The LSU game was the only time Arkansas held an opponent to under 20 points, and the Razorbacks gave up more than 250 yards passing in six of its 12 games. Jalon Daniels and the receivers should be able to move down the field on this defense with relative ease.

But the Kansas defense is also going to have to contain the Arkansas run game. The Razorbacks rushed for more than 200 yards in eight of 12 games, and also ran for more than four yards per carry at that same clip. The Jayhawks will also need to take turnover opportunities when they present themselves. Arkansas has turned it over 16 times in 12 games, and turned it over at least once in every loss this year, including two turnovers in four of the six loses.

Prediction

Normally, a team not having been to a bowl game for so long would make you hesitant to pick them. Arkansas has been in this spot much more frequently of late.

But given the transfer portal and holdouts for the NFL Draft, there is something to be said that Kansas is going to want this game more and be closer to 100% regarding the roster from the regular season. It also sounds like Liberty Stadium should have a healthy contingent of Jayhawk fans in attendance.

From a pure Xs and Os perspective, Arkansas could have a lot of trouble slowing down Kansas’ offense. The two most disruptive players from an already shaky defense will be absent and Jalon Daniels should be the healthiest he’s been since the beginning of the year. Stopping the Arkansas run is an absolute concern, and there’s a scenario where Raheim Sanders makes it a long day for Kansas, but I like Kansas’ offense to score enough and for the defense to make one or two opportunistic plays to seal it.

Kansas 45, Arkansas 41

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