Texas A&M vs. Arkansas game preview, prediction: Who wins, and why?

What to expect as Texas A&M and Arkansas meet in this Week 5 college football game

This weekend brings us a renewal of the Southwest Classic rivalry game live from Arlington with a pair of unranked SEC West rivals on the field, as Texas A&M faces off against Arkansas in college football's Week 5 action on Saturday.

A&M's offense will look a little different this week after head coach Jimbo Fisher revealed quarterback Conner Weigman will likely miss the rest of the season with a foot injury sustained in the Auburn game. 

That makes it Max Johnson time: he had 2 TD passes and no INTs last week in reserve and is a 4,627 yard career passer with 42 touchdowns and just 7 turnovers.

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What can we expect from the matchup? Here's what you should watch for as Texas A&M and Arkansas square off, along with our Week 5 game predictions.

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas preview, prediction

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas picks, predictions / USA Today Images

How to watch

When: Sat., Sept. 30
Time: 11 a.m. Central
TV: SEC Network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Texas A&M -6.5
Total: 53.5 points
Moneyline: A&M -250 | Hogs +188
FPI pick: Texas A&M 73% to win (More)

What to watch for

1. Aggie Attack. A&M should have the advantage when putting the ball in the air against an Arkansas pass defense has struggled, allowing 231 yards to opponents and allowed two LSU receivers to go over 100 yards last week. Max Johnson should find throwing lanes, especially if the Aggies can present a credible run threat that will draw in the safeties and open things up in the deeper field on play action.

2. Hogs' counter. Arkansas' defense wants to get to the quarterback and confuse opponents in the process. It can stack up the box and bring the blitz with its linebackers and has created some negative plays in the meantime. But that strategy has backfired, too. If an offense can adjust its timing in anticipation of the pressure, it can get favorable matchups on the outside in man coverage and get long gainers.

3. Arkansas penalties. No SEC team has played more games with 10-plus penalties in the last three years than the Razorbacks. That includes 25 combined flags the last two games. These unforced errors and procedural mistakes have been costly and have kept the team from making consistent improvements on a line that is already allowing too many sacks and negative plays and not getting adequate push in the running game.

Texas A&M vs. Arkansas prediction

Despite the troubles on the line, Arkansas has played a balanced brand of offense and is getting efficient play from quarterback KJ Jefferson, who is hitting more than 7 in 10 of his throws. He goes against an Aggie secondary unit that has shown it can struggle against competent air attacks, as we saw in the Miami game.

The Razorbacks will throw Johnson and the A&M passing attack out of rhythm in the early stages, but the Aggie lines should have the advantage down the stretch, stopping the Hogs from running the ball with success in the second half while Johnson and his receivers get consistent yardage behind the Arkansas second-level tacklers.

College Football HQ predicts...

• Texas A&M wins 31-26
• Doesn't cover the spread
• And hits the over

More: A&M vs. Hogs score prediction by CFB computers

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