How Arkansas and South Carolina compare at each position

Here’s a position-by-position evaluation of the Razorbacks and Gamecocks forward of Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff in Fayetteville:

Offense

Quarterbacks

SOUTH CAROLINA Spencer Rattler (23-37-2, 227 yards, 1 TD, 62.2%) was a freshman all-America at Oklahoma in 2020. He’s 93rd within the FBS in effectivity (111.8), weighed down by 6.1 yards per try. The 6-1, 215-pounder was sacked 3 instances final week and had minus-12 rush yards. The Gamecocks didn’t stretch the sphere however are doubtless to take action at the moment. Luke Doty, a 6-game starter the previous 2 seasons, is 129 of 241 (60.3%) for 1,380 yards with 7 TD, 6 INT.

ARKANSAS KJ Jefferson (18-26-0, 223 yards, 3 TDs) ran 18 instances for 62 yards and a TD vs. Cincinnati. Jefferson is twenty eighth within the FBS with 179.4 effectivity and averages 8.6 yards per try. He had a handful of errant throws final week with a troublesome crimson zone collection during which he appeared to have leg cramps. Malik Hornsby had a collection that included one snap beneath heart and he took a lateral 13 yards for a primary down.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas

Working backs

SOUTH CAROLINA UA Coach Sam Pittman is a fan of prime again MarShawn Lloyd (11-33), a former 5-star recruit who suffered a torn ACL in 2020. Jaheim Bell, a 6-3, 232-pound TE/FB, led the crew with 40 yards on 7 carries final week. Senior Christian Beal-Smith, who led crew with 732 rush yards in 2020 and had team-high 604 yards, 7 rush TD final yr, didn’t play final week (foot) however ought to be again. Juju McDowell (7-14) is a 5-9, 180-pound change of tempo.

ARKANSAS Raheim Sanders (20 carries, 117 yards, 5.9 ypc) posted his second profession 100-yard sport final with 80% of the TB carries. AJ Inexperienced (3-18) and Rashod Dubinion (2-16) break up the others and confirmed sturdy flashes and reducing abilities. Dominique Johnson (97-575, 7 TDs, 5.9 ypc in ’21) is questionable (knee). The Razorbacks, like South Carolina, have a various operating assault with QBs/WRs additionally concerned.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas

Receivers/tight ends

SOUTH CAROLINA Antwane Wells Jr. (7 catches, 55 yards) was an FCS All-American at James Madison in 2021 (83-1,250, 15). Jalen Brooks (4-88), a 6-2 senior, is a spotlight maker and deep-ball risk. Josh Vann (1-9) is coming off a giant yr. Dakereon Joyner was out final week. Could have finest TEs this aspect of Georgia with Jaheim Bell (4-18) and Austin Stogner (1-7) main the best way.

ARKANSAS TE Trey Knox (6-75, 2 TDs), who led the Hogs in all 3 classes final week, offers a giant consolation issue for Jefferson. Matt Landers (3-43), Jadon Haselwood (3-42, 1 TD) and RB Sanders (3-12) all had 3 catches, and Warren Thompson (2-22) had a key third-down seize. Ketron Jackson Jr. will add extra catches to his blocking, which was sturdy throughout the board aside from a few holding calls.

ADVANTAGE None

Offensive line

SOUTH CAROLINA There’s a veteran, skilled entrance however they struggled final yr and didn’t present out within the opener because the Gamecocks didn’t run the ball effectively and allowed 3 sacks. OTs Jaylen Nichols, a 322-pounder, and Dylan Wonnum are seniors together with C Eric Douglas and RG Jovaughn Gwyn, and LG Vershon Lee is a junior. The group averages 6-4, 306 kilos. Matchup with UA entrance looms key.

ARKANSAS The Razorbacks had been dinged up in camp, however the quintet of C Ricky Stromberg, OGs Brady Latham and Beaux Limmer and OTs Luke Jones and Dalton Wagner performed your complete opener and confirmed physicality. Limmer graded in Professional Soccer Focus prime 10 with 79.8 rating. The group was not flagged for holding. Cincinnati had two sacks on consecutive snaps. Ty’Kieast Crawford is the sixth OL and may get snaps at the moment.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas

DEFENSE

Line

SOUTH CAROLINA DTs Alex Huntley (2 tackles, 1 PBU) and Zacch Pickens, are each 6-4, 305-pounders who’re sturdy block eaters and disruptive. Pickens is a former 5-star recruit; Huntley a 4-star. The depth behind them can also be good, with Tonka Hemingway (1, 1 hurry) and M.J. Webb (1). Finish Jordan Burch (5, 0.5 TFL) is a 6-6, 275-pound former 5-star. Jordan Strachan (4, 1.5 TFL) tied for FBS lead in sacks (10.5) in ’20 at Georgia State.

ARKANSAS The Razorbacks displayed respectable depth final week. Transfers Landon Jackson (5, half-sack, 1 hurry), Terry Hampton (3, 1 TFL) and Jordan Domineck (2, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FR) all had impression behind DEs Zach Williams (2, 1.5 TFL, half-sack), Jashaud Stewart (1), Eric Gregory (2 hurries) and Isaiah Nichols. Cam Ball (2) and Marcus Miller ought to assist at DT, whereas Dorian Gerald and Eric Thomas present veteran depth at DE.

ADVANTAGE None

Linebackers

SOUTH CAROLINA WLB Brad Johnson (5, 1 hurry), a 238-pound senior, transitioned from DL final season. Mohamed Kaba (4, 1 PBU), a 239-pound junior and former 4-star, had an enormous offseason and beat out sixth-year senior Sherrod Greene for a beginning job. Greene was banged up in preseason however may return at the moment. Debo Williams (5, 1 TFL, 1 hurry), a switch from Delaware, earned loads of reps final weekend.

ARKANSAS Bumper Pool (13, 1 TFL) is eighth on the UA profession tackles chart. The fifth-year senior would attain a tie for fourth with 10 tackles at the moment. The worth of Drew Sanders (5, 1 sack) as a go rusher was evident final week as he smoked a RB on his sack. Chris Paul Jr. (5) earned the third-highest reps final week, and true freshman Jordan Criminal additionally bought taking part in time. Jackson Woodard (1), a giant particular teamer, is subsequent within the rotation.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas

Secondary

SOUTH CAROLINA Sam Pittman touted multi-purpose DB Cam Smith (2) as one of many nation’s finest within the backfield. He’s listed at nickel, with upperclassmen Marcellas Dial (3, 1 INT, 3 PBU) and Darius Rush (1, 1 hurry) at CB. Shane Beamer didn’t replace the standing of injured senior SS R.J. Roderick (2) on Wednesday. Devonni Reed (5, 0.5 TFL) Nick Emmanwori (3, 1 PBU) and DQ Smith (2) give the Gamecocks sturdy run assist and protection.

ARKANSAS The Razorbacks can be with out captain Jalen Catalon (8, 1 hurry) and NB Myles Slusher (3, 1 TFL), so Latavious Brini (5), NB Jayden Johnson (2), Khari Johnson and Trent Gordon ought to get extra run with security Simeon Blair (7, 1 TFL). High corners Dwight McGlothern (4, 1 INT, 1 PBU) and Hudson Clark (3, 1 PBU, 1 FF) held up OK, although some open, deep WRs weren’t discovered. Malik Chavis and LaDarrius Bishop (1) should play higher.

ADVANTAGE South Carolina

Particular groups

SOUTH CAROLINA Best helmet on the board this week. P Kai Kroeger (49.1 common) was the Ray Man punter of the week. PK Mitch Jeter went 2 for two on FGAs from 53, 51 yards. Pretend FG arrange a TD final week and blocked punts by Rashad Amos and Journey Kenion returned for TDs by Ahmareon Brown and DQ Smith. Jeter had 4 touchbacks on 6 kickoffs. Josh Vann averaged 11 yards on 3 punt returns.

ARKANSAS Cam Little made a 32-yard FG and is 5 for five on FGs/PATs. Jake Bates had touchbacks on 5 of 6 kickoffs final week. Internet punting (29.0) ranks 114th after Max Fletcher (38.5) bought off to a shaky begin. P Reid Bauer may get work at the moment. Bryce Stephens had 1 punt return for 3 yards; AJ Inexperienced one kickoff return for 16 yards. Hogs penalized on lone KOR. Snapper Eli Stein and holder Bauer off to a superb begin by going beneath the radar vs. Cincinnati.

ADVANTAGE South Carolina

Intangibles

SOUTH CAROLINA The Gamecocks follow within the mornings, so the 11 a.m. begin will hit them proper in stride and so they shouldn’t be fazed. How they react to their first hostile street crowd of the season is a distinct matter. The O-line should carry out higher after permitting 3 sacks final week and producing a scant 79 speeding yards vs. a stunting protection. The familiarity between Shane Beamer, Sam Pittman and UA particular groups coordinator Scott Fountain is an element.

ARKANSAS Sam Pittman posted a video on social media early within the week urging college students to be in place and rowdy for the 11 a.m. kick after seeing what Georgia followers did to the Hogs in an early begin final yr. Likelihood is Razorback followers reply in power for the SEC opener. Each groups had tons to wash up from their openers, with UA needing higher third down protection, offensive effectivity and run manufacturing between the tackles.

ADVANTAGE Arkansas