Kansas Jayhawks vs Arkansas Razorbacks Liberty Bowl Preview: An Offensive Showcase in Memphis

It’s taking place. Kansas is enjoying in a bowl recreation in late December. And hundreds of Jayhawk followers are flocking to Memphis to see it in individual.

And with Missouri deciding it might fairly have a good time Christmas dropping to Wake Forest than Kansas, the Jayhawks will now tackle fellow SEC member Arkansas within the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

Opponent Overview

Workforce: Arkansas

Report: 6-6

Line: ARK -3

Workforce Type

Arkansas’ resume is a captivating one, with 4 video games determined by three factors or much less and 7 by double digits. Three of these three-point-or-less video games have been within the Razorbacks’ ultimate 4 video games of the yr, and Arkansas misplaced all three of them (Liberty, LSU, and Missouri to finish the yr). The opposite was a 23-21 loss to Texas A&M in late September.

In any other case, the Razorbacks have been both successful or dropping by double digits. The one different one-score recreation was a seven-point win over Cincinnati to begin the season.

Gamers to Watch

Arkansas quarterback Okay.J. Jefferson is the guts of the Razorbacks’ offense, which is by far essentially the most harmful unit for Arkansas. He’s a dual-threat QB who’s finishing 68% of his passes with a 22:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, whereas additionally speeding for 510 yards and 7 touchdowns. It additionally ought to be identified that Arkansas has solely misplaced 4 occasions with Jefferson within the recreation, as he missed the Mississippi State and LSU video games as a consequence of harm.

Raheim Sanders has had a breakout sophomore marketing campaign on the bottom, speeding for 1,426 yards (6.5 yards per carry) and 10 speeding touchdowns, because the Razorbacks rushed for 223 yards per recreation. In the meantime, Jadon Haselwood was Jefferson’s prime receiving goal, knocking down 59 catches for 702 yards and three touchdowns.

However Arkansas received’t be at full power. The Razorbacks’ prime two tacklers – Drew Sanders and contender for the most effective identify within the SEC Bumper Pool – received’t be enjoying whereas they put together for the NFL Draft. That is enormous contemplating Sanders had 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss together with three compelled fumbles. Arkansas additionally received’t have its third-leading receiver, Ketron Jackson Jr, who’s transferring to Baylor.

Matchups to Watch

The Razorbacks’ protection was already the struggling unit, giving up almost 29 factors per recreation, and that was with Sanders and Pool enjoying. The LSU recreation was the one time Arkansas held an opponent to below 20 factors, and the Razorbacks gave up greater than 250 yards passing in six of its 12 video games. Jalon Daniels and the receivers ought to be capable to transfer down the sphere on this protection with relative ease.

However the Kansas protection can also be going to need to comprise the Arkansas run recreation. The Razorbacks rushed for greater than 200 yards in eight of 12 video games, and in addition ran for greater than 4 yards per carry at that very same clip. The Jayhawks may also must take turnover alternatives after they current themselves. Arkansas has turned it over 16 occasions in 12 video games, and turned it over at the very least as soon as in each loss this yr, together with two turnovers in 4 of the six loses.

Prediction

Usually, a group not having been to a bowl recreation for therefore lengthy would make you hesitant to choose them. Arkansas has been on this spot way more often of late.

However given the switch portal and holdouts for the NFL Draft, there’s something to be stated that Kansas goes to need this recreation extra and be nearer to 100% concerning the roster from the common season. It additionally feels like Liberty Stadium ought to have a wholesome contingent of Jayhawk followers in attendance.

From a pure Xs and Os perspective, Arkansas may have numerous hassle slowing down Kansas’ offense. The 2 most disruptive gamers from an already shaky protection will likely be absent and Jalon Daniels ought to be the healthiest he’s been for the reason that starting of the yr. Stopping the Arkansas run is an absolute concern, and there’s a state of affairs the place Raheim Sanders makes it a protracted day for Kansas, however I like Kansas’ offense to attain sufficient and for the protection to make one or two opportunistic performs to seal it.

Kansas 45, Arkansas 41

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