HawgBeat – Five biggest questions as Arkansas heads into Texas A&M game

The Southwest Traditional sport between No. 10 Arkansas and No. 23 is sort of right here, with the Razorbacks coming into the competition an ideal 3-0 after a come-from-behind win over Missouri State and the Aggies at 2-1 following a win over No. 13 Miami.

Arkansas received the competition final 12 months bolstered by a powerful defensive effort, notching its first win within the rivalry in 10 years.

Listed here are the 5 greatest questions because the Hogs put together to play the Aggies at 6 p.m. CT inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas:

1. How will the Razorbacks offense begin after final week’s efficiency?

It is no secret that Arkansas struggled mightily in opposition to Missouri State, and most of that could possibly be attributed to the offense’s sluggish begin. They did not discover the tip zone till halfway by means of the second quarter, and fumbled the ball twice in essential conditions.

Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and firm cannot afford that type of sluggish begin this week. The Aggies have struggled on offense to begin the season, however they boast a powerful protection that might spell bother for the Arkansas offense.

2. Will Myles Slusher’s return assist the go protection?

We’ve not seen Myles Slusher on the sector because the first half of Week 1 in opposition to Cincinnati, on account of an harm he sustained. His presence has been sorely missed, because the Razorbacks protection has ranked lifeless final within the nation in go protection by means of the primary three video games of the season.

Slusher’s return brings some depth again to a place group that has been stricken by accidents, however the secondary will want to have the ability to defend the go effectively in the event that they hope to maintain the Southwest Traditional trophy in Fayetteville this 12 months.

3. Can the Razorbacks maintain penalties underneath management?

It isn’t simply in regards to the quantity of penalties, however the quantity of huge performs they wipe out.

Final weekend, the Arkansas protection compelled punts on the primary two Missouri State drives, and Bryce Stephens had two nice returns on the following punts. Sadly, they had been each referred to as again to holding penalties.

The Razorbacks will should be extra disciplined in all aspects of the sport on Saturday, however conserving the referees out of the sport will likely be of the utmost significance.

4. Will the working sport maintain up in opposition to more durable competitors?

By three video games this season, Raheim Sanders has rushed for four hundred and forty yards, which is greater than Texas A&M has rushed for as a workforce to date this 12 months. As a workforce, the Hogs rank third within the SEC in dashing yards, sitting behind Vanderbilt and Ole Miss.

The hardest a part of the SEC schedule begins right now, although, and the competitors will solely get more durable. Will the dashing sport be capable of sustain their tempo?

The Aggies hand over 178 yards dashing per sport on common, and the Hogs will need to set up the run early.

5. What number of occasions does the Arkansas protection get to the quarterback?

The Arkansas protection has sacked the quarterback 17 occasions in three video games, which ranks greatest within the SEC by a big margin.

Three Arkansas defenders are within the prime 5 for complete sacks within the convention: linebacker Drew Sanders and defensive lineman Jordan Domineck have 5 every and defensive lineman Zach Williams has three.

The Texas A&M offensive line, nonetheless, has solely allowed 5 sacks to date this season. It’s seemingly that the protection is ready to get stress on the quarterback, who’s prone to be switch Max Johnson, however what number of occasions they’re ready to take action is the actual query.