Two losses in a row for Arkansas display glaring issues in once-promising season

Recognizing the 2nd-ranked staff within the nation 28 factors isn’t essentially the way in which to win. That’s precisely what the Arkansas Razorbacks did of their 49-26 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

There nonetheless was delight proven by an Arkansas staff that fought again within the third quarter to get to inside 5 factors. Nevertheless, it was an excessive amount of to beat and Alabama did what Alabama does: It squeezed the life out of an opponent.

When Bryce Younger and Brian Department went down with harm issues might need unravelled for Alabama. And though the Crimson Tide fully managed the sport at 28-0, issues weren’t all the time straightforward.

Let’s not get it fallacious right here. Arkansas did some good issues, largely for one quarter. However there are obtrusive points with this staff. Right here’s the checklist.

Lacking a pacesetter

The Hogs completely miss all-everything security Jalen Catalon. He introduced the vitality in 2020 to assist start the turnaround of this system. He has performed solely 6 video games since, however shedding a pacesetter like Catalon in back-to-back seasons is exposing simply how far off this group is within the secondary.

Lack of ability to get defensive stops

Third downs have been killers for the Razorback protection this season. Alabama transformed 9 of 14 third downs on Saturday. 5 of these both led to a rating or arrange one other on the subsequent play. Put merely: The Hogs want to resolve their points on third down as a result of 21 factors may’ve been negated with extra effectivity in that scenario.

The Arkansas protection was a bit over-aggressive in blitz packages on a number of performs and was gashed by Alabama for giant performs or touchdowns. Arkansas might be superb at sacking the opposing quarterback, however porous in move protection. It’s been a gentle problem by the primary quarter of the 2022 season.

Sputtering offense

How concerning the offense, although? The place was the depth on that facet of the ball all through the first half? Arkansas punted on 5 out of its first 6 drives and fumbled on the opposite one. It was an extension of what’s been a sample of gradual begins with offensive  Kendal Briles.

In taking the unhealthy with the great, Arkansas has been efficient at holding drives alive. The Hogs had transformed at a 48-percent clip earlier than Saturday which was adequate for twentieth nationally.

Alabama did what it does to lots of groups: limiting its opponents’ sturdy factors. The Tide restricted the Hogs to a 5-of-17 efficiency on third downs.

Taking part in an entire sport

Lastly, there’s the Hogs’ motivation all through sport. There was a difficulty for 3 video games in sustaining vitality by all 4 quarters. Arkansas noticed Alabama an enormous lead. What gave the impression to be a scarcity of vitality on offense to take momentum away from Alabama set the house staff again.

No matter transfer is likely to be essential to maintain his staff juiced for an entire sport, Pittman must make it. The Razorbacks appear to take not performs off however quarters at a time. Nevertheless, they nonetheless discover methods to make issues attention-grabbing.

The intense facet of issues for followers is that 8 video games stay within the common season. Expectations for a double-digit-win season are nonetheless affordable. This Arkansas staff doesn’t fold up and give up like others have earlier than. There’s battle on this hog and it’s nonetheless to be seen precisely how a lot battle is left.