Texas A&M vs. Arkansas Preview: Keys to the Game

Arkansas better bring their A-game if they want to down Texas A&M in Arlington.

Sep 21, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) hands off to Arkansas Razorbacks running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (22) during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images / John Reed-Imagn Images

The Texas A&M Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks will spend their week five combatting the 81st edition of the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.

Not only is Texas A&M very well-rounded on both sides of the ball, but they have been victorious in 11 of the past 12 matchups against Arkansas. Not to mention, they will be in their home state. College Station is still slightly closer to Jerry World than Fayetteville, AR.

Nevertheless, this is a rivalry game, and you can bet that one-half of the stadium will be red and the other maroon.

With all of that in mind, here is what needs to happen for Texas A&M or Arkansas to hoist the trophy in Arlington in week five:

Texas A&M wins if...

...they do what they did last year, halt the running game.

It seems to be a recurring theme in the Southwest Classic. When Arkansas can't get their legs going on the field, the Aggies take full advantage of it and, if anything, use their own run game to their advantage. Last year was a case in point when Arkansas mustered a measly 42 yards on the ground. Texas A&M took it and ran (no pun intended) and gathered over 400 total yards of offense. If the Aggies run for over 230 yards for the fourth straight game, win number 12 in 13 years for the Maroon and White will come as a surprise to absolutely no one.

Arkansas wins if...

...they outsmart A&M's defense and slow down Marcel Reed.

In their last victory in this rivalry in 2021, Arkansas allowed the Aggies to put up only 10 points of offense. Yes, Reed was not under center at this moment in time, but last year, A&M scored 34 points. You stop the offense and win a couple of chess matches against the defense? Arkansas will be laughing all the way back to Fayetteville.

Can this completely be written off? Absolutely not. But with Arkansas' drastic improvements to start the year and the Aggies newfound success with Marcel Reed, both sides better come ready to do battle this Saturday.