A position-by-position breakdown of how the Razorbacks and Bearcats match up:

Quarterbacks

CINCINNATI Coach Luke Fickell has not named a starter between senior Ben Bryant and sophomore Evan Prater, however prime hypothesis has Bryant in that position. Bryant was 279-of-408 passing for 3,121 yards, 14 TDs and seven INTs as Japanese Michigan’s starter in 2021. Prater went 5 for 11 for 38 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT as Desmond Ridder’s backup final yr. He additionally ran for 105 yards and a couple of TDs with a strong 8.8 ypc.

ARKANSAS KJ Jefferson racked up these numbers final season: 198 of 294 (67.3%) for two,676 yards, with 21 TDs, 4 INTs, and 146 carries for 664 yards and 6 TDs. His go effectivity of 164.66 ranked tenth within the FBS. He threw 171 consecutive passes from Week 6 at Ole Miss into the Outback Bowl with out an INT, the second-longest streak in UA historical past. Malik Hornsby and Cade Fortin are the highest backups.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas

Working backs

CINCINNATI The Bearcats don’t have a a transparent favourite to switch ultra-productive Jerome Ford (214, 1,319 yards, 19 TDs), however they will go 4 deep just like the Razorbacks. RS freshman Myles Montgomery was incomes first-team reps on the finish of camp, with sophomore LSU switch Corey Kiner, senior Ryan Montgomery (46-312, 3 TDs, 6.8 ypc) and senior Charles McClelland (37-190, 1, 5.1), who has had two torn ACLs, all within the combine.

ARKANSAS Raheim Sanders seems set to take over the starter’s position after dashing for 578 yards, 5 TDs and 5.1 ypc final season. Dominique Johnson (97-575, 7, 5.9), who wrested the beginning job from Trelon Smith final yr, is recovering from knee surgical procedure and never more likely to be prepared. AJ Inexperienced (47-227, 1, 4.8) and freshman Rashod Dubinion are subsequent on the depth chart and will contribute.

ADVANTAGE None

Receivers/tight ends

CINCINNATI Tre Tucker (34-426, 2 TDs), a 5-9 offensive captain, seems set to take over as lead go catcher from Alec Pierce (52-884, 7), although switch Nick Mardner (46-913, 5 at Hawaii in 2021), a 6-6 senior, ought to consider. Tyler Scott (30-520, 5) is again for a unit that had 12 gamers catch TDs. Scott and 6-2 junior Jadon Thompson (14-208) are projected starters. TEs Josh Whyle (26-332, 6) and Leonard Taylor (28-268, 4) are harmful.

ARKANSAS Projected as a query mark after the lack of Treylon Burks, this unit blossomed in camp behind Warren Thompson (19-304, 2 TDs), Ketron Jackson Jr. (5-97, 1) and transfers Jadon Haselwood (39-399, 6 at Oklahoma) and Matt Landers (20-514, 5 at Toledo). Jaedon Wilson, Bryce Stephens and others consider, whereas Trey Knox (20-141, 1) appears to be a major TE goal, with Nathan Bax and Hudson Henry additionally within the combine.

ADVANTAGE Cincinnati

Offensive line

CINCINNATI The Bearcats are certainly one of eight FBS faculties to convey again all 5 starters. The group of, from LT to RT, James Tunstall, Jeremy Cooper, Jake Renfro, Dylan O’Quinn and Lorenz Metz have mixed to make 94 begins in 138 video games. Nevertheless, Metz is listed as backup RG with 6-5, 310-pound Joe Huber penciled in at RT. Tunstall is the most important at 6-5, 320, and the projected beginning unit averages 6-4, 310.

ARKANSAS The Razorbacks return 4 starters in LG Brady Latham, C Ricky Stromberg, RG Beaux Limmer and RT Dalton Wagner. Senior Luke Jones has gained the beginning LT spot, whereas Ty’Kieast Crawford is the sixth man, notably on the suitable. Limmer has backed up Stromberg at C. Underclassmen Andrew Chamblee, Jalen St. John, Patrick Kutas and E’Marion Harris are listed as prime depth. The starters common 6-5, 316 kilos.

ADVANTAGE None

DEFENSE

Line

CINCINNATI A unit that misplaced ace Curtis Brooks will likely be led by sixth-year senior DE Jabari Taylor (29 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 sacks) and senior DE Malik Vann (33, 8.5, 3.5, 3 PBUs). Projected NT starter Jowon Briggs (43, 4, 3) is a 6-1, 313-pounder who can squat 800 kilos and can current a beefy take a look at for the UA inside. Eric Phillips (5, 1 hurry), 6-6, 270-pound Noah Potter and 6-2, 320-pound Dontay Corleone are prime reserves.

ARKANSAS The Razorbacks convey again veterans up entrance with modest statistics in DEs Zach Williams (23, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and Jashaud Stewart (7, 1 hurry), combo DL Eric Gregory (27, 4, 1, 3 hurries) and DT Isaiah Nichols (21, 3.5, 1.5). It appears like the highest depth will come from newcomers or untested gamers throughout: DEs Jordan Domineck and Landon Jackson and DTs Terry Hampton and Cam Ball. Dorian Gerald is an X-factor.

ADVANTAGE Cincinnati

Linebackers

CINCINNATI Wilson Huber (15 tackles, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks) is a 6-4, 250-pound banger within the center for the Bearcats. Returning “Greenback,” a hybrid place, is Deshawn Tempo (94, 9.5 4 INT), who’s backed by Ty Van Fossen (70, 7, 1, 4 hurries). Tempo is joined by his switch brother Ivan Tempo (125, 13, 4 at Miami, Ohio), who’s within the rotation at WLB together with Jaheim Thomas (23, 0.5 sacks, 1 hurry).

ARKANSAS Fifth-year senior Bumper Pool (125, 7.5 TFLs, 2 PBUs, 2 hurries) will start the season 59 tackles shy of Tony Bua’s school-record 408 stops. Drew Sanders (24, 2.5 TFLs, 1 sack at Alabama) is predicted to be a go dashing pressure. The Razorbacks have used some 3-3 fronts with RS freshman Chris Paul (1) becoming a member of Pool and Sanders. Prime depth comes from Jackson Woodard (7) and freshman Jordan Criminal.

ADVANTAGE None

Defensive backs

CINCINNATI Discipline nook Arquon Bush (42, 2.5 TFLs, 3 INTs) and boundary nook Ja’quan Sheppard (3) face the duty of changing ace NFL Draft picks Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant (the Jim Thorpe Award winner). Bush performed nickel the previous couple of years. Discipline security Ja’von Hicks (55, 2 TFLs, 2 INTs) is a 6-2, 210-pound hitter within the class of current draft picks. Bryon Threats (8, 1 PBU) is listed as beginning boundary security.

ARKANSAS Can CBs Hudson Clark (22, 1 TFL), LaDarrius Bishop (15, 3 PBUs), Dwight McGlothern (32, 6 PBUs, 1 INT, 1 FF at LSU) and Malik Chavis (14, 1 INT) maintain up in man? Security Jalen Catalon (46, 2 INTs) is trying to recapture his 2020 type. Catalon, Simeon Blair (38, 1 sack) and Myles Slusher (50, 2 INTs, 4 PBUs) have expertise. Jayden Johnson (24), Latavious Brini (38, 8 PBUs) and Trent Gordon (2) ought to play.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas

Particular groups

CINCINNATI WR Tre Tucker (25.3 KOR avg., 1 TD) is a premier menace on kickoffs. RB Ryan Montgomery averaged 11.5 yards per punt return. PK was atrocious final season (9 of 19), so the Bearcats introduced in 6-3 Ryan Coe (14 of 17 FGs at Delaware). Punter Mason Fletcher averaged 42.9 on the nation’s most effective punt unit final yr. Cincinnati blocked 3 punts and 6 area objectives in 2021.

ARKANSAS Cam Little (20 of 24 FG) had an impressive freshman season and he would possibly take over on kickoffs after battling with Jake Bates. Reid Bauer (43.3) had an amazing camp battle with Aussie Max Fletcher. Bryce Stephens averaged 17.7 yards on 3 punt returns. AJ Inexperienced (16.3) and freshman Rashod Dubinion seem like the highest kickoff return choices.

ADVANTAGE Cincinnati

Intangibles

CINCINNATI Coach Luke Fickell stated he ought to have executed higher making ready his crew for the ambiance vs. mighty Alabama in final yr’s Cotton Bowl. Drawback is, it’s nigh unattainable to simulate that big-game surroundings, a lot much less Hog calls, in apply. Nonetheless, the Bearcats have recruited properly, convey again loads of expertise and shouldn’t be vulnerable to beating themselves in a ramped-up ambiance.

ARKANSAS The Razorbacks ought to get an extra carry from a vocal, partisan setting at Razorback Stadium. Coach Sam Pittman, with all three coordinators returning for a 3rd season, has instilled a perception the Razorbacks can match physicality with any crew within the nation and that interprets on to confidence. Numerous returning expertise at key spots enhances UA’s odds. Will lack of tackling in camp be a problem?

ADVANTAGE Arkansas