Opposing beat writer Q&A: Christina Long, Arkansas – The Dispatch

Mississippi State and Arkansas performed a basic final November in Fayetteville.

The Bulldogs got here up a subject aim brief, falling 31-28 to the Razorbacks in a intently contested sport.

With Arkansas coming to Starkville at 11 a.m. Saturday, The Dispatch talked to Christina Lengthy of the Southwest Occasions Document in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for extra on the Hogs.

Lengthy is in her first full season overlaying the Razorbacks.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.

Arkansas comes into this sport at 3-2. What had been the preseason expectations for the Razorbacks after a robust 2021 season? How have these expectations modified after the beginning they’ve had?

Lengthy: It’s been actually fascinating to see how the perspective round this crew so far as the followers go has modified so rapidly. Earlier than this season, the expectations had been excessive as a result of final season went so a lot better than anticipated. I believe folks knew how laborious this schedule was. Arkansas’s nonconference slate is Cincinnati, BYU, Liberty and Missouri State, who’s one of many higher groups in FCS. It was a very laborious schedule, and I believe everybody knew that, however I believe the expectation was you get your beginning quarterback again, you get most of your offensive line again, you hit the portal fairly laborious and get some actually thrilling gamers there. There have been questions with star receiver Treylon Burks not being again. I believe there have been issues there, however I believe folks actually thought that this crew was actually going to have the ability to take care of this schedule. Actually, if they’d overwhelmed A&M or at the very least not misplaced in the way in which that they did, we’d be at a bit of bit completely different level so far as the notion of this crew proper now. It’s laborious coming into this sport on a two-game dropping streak, however the season doesn’t really feel like a wash but. There’s concern with KJ Jefferson possibly being out, however there’s nonetheless a wholesome quantity of hope.

It feels like Jefferson is in “wait and see” mode after being damage in opposition to Alabama. Do you assume he’s going to play Saturday, and if not, what does Cade Fortin deliver to the desk?

Lengthy: I actually don’t know if Jefferson will play Saturday. Sam Pittman wouldn’t say if he’s in concussion protocol. He mentioned after the sport on Saturday that he had hit his head. He got here out when he obtained hit, they put Fortin in, after which they put KJ again in for a play. After that, he was executed. Pittman wouldn’t say if it was a concussion. He dropped a bizarre trace; he mentioned, ‘KJ has delicate signs’ — didn’t say what the signs had been of — after which mentioned, ‘Generally guys come again in three or 4 days; generally they’re out for 27 days.’ It feels like he’s actually wanting to depart that open for a doable return. We don’t know if it’s a concussion. We don’t know what it’s. I actually don’t know if he’ll play. Fortin got here from South Florida. He’s a walk-on switch, and he’s a redshirt senior. He was not the constant starter at USF, so we don’t know what he brings. Every little thing we’ve heard about Fortin is that he was introduced in as a result of he permits them to experiment with Malik Hornsby (at vast receiver.) They see him as extra of a passer, whereas Hornsby is extra of a runner. Fortin’s actually form of an unknown. If he does find yourself getting that begin, it’s going to be new for everyone.

Alabama gashed Arkansas’s protection for 555 whole yards. Will Mississippi State be capable to discover the identical success in opposition to the Razorbacks, and if not, what’s Arkansas’s edge on protection?

Lengthy: I believe the largest concern proper now’s Mississippi State in opposition to this Arkansas secondary. It’s an injury-ridden secondary. It’s a secondary that’s combating tackling within the open subject. Will Rogers is clearly a very huge risk with these holes within the secondary. I believe there’s positively a priority about what number of receiving yards they’re going to surrender and the way a lot Mississippi State will be capable to do by means of the air, however I additionally know Mississippi State is doing a bit of bit extra on the bottom this season. Arkansas’s line of defense has been actually sturdy, they usually’ve executed a very good job of pressuring quarterbacks. The important thing for Arkansas goes to be placing some stress on Rogers and attending to the quarterback extra. It’s going to be extra about that and possibly attempting to drive him to make some poor throws to cowl up for a few of these ills within the secondary.

When you’re snug making a prediction, how do you see Saturday’s sport enjoying out?

Lengthy: I’ve tentatively picked Mississippi State to win. I haven’t give you my rating prediction simply but, however I actually do assume that this Mike Leach Air Raid shouldn’t be an excellent matchup for this banged-up Arkansas move protection. I believe the line of defense will get to Rogers a good quantity. I believe that they’ll proceed to place stress on him the way in which that they’ve in opposition to all of their opponents, however I don’t assume it’s going to be sufficient, particularly if Mississippi State also can combine in a robust speeding assault. I do assume Mississippi State will get this win. Being on the highway is difficult for them. That is the primary true highway sport for Arkansas. And with Jefferson possibly not beginning, we actually don’t know what Fortin can do. This might be his first important sport motion since final November. We actually don’t know what to anticipate from him, and I’m considering Mississippi State will get the win.

Theo DeRosa studies on Mississippi State sports activities for The Dispatch. Comply with him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.