3 Things That Worry Me About Arkansas

First, here’s why I’m NOT worried about the fightin’ Whoo Piggies:

1.   Arkansas has a rich history of running backs, and is usually potent toting the rock. But Darren McFadden and Felix Jones aren’t suiting up this season. UA has only totaled 209 yards on the ground (including sacks) for a pitiful 2.7 yards a carry.

The Bulldog defense has only allowed 173 yards rushing in 2 games, and that doesn’t include sack yardage.

2.  The Razorbacks are 3^rd in time of possession. Yet they rank 114^th in scoring offense and 111^th in scoring defense. So while they apparently march up and down the field, they’re not putting the ball in the endzone.

And it’s debatable if the true Georgia defensive starters have surrendered a single score this season. Both opponents have avoided the shutout in the first half, but both times UGA was up by at least 4 touchdowns and substitutions were already liberally utilized.

3. Gunner Stockton has thrown twice as many touchdowns as incompletions. He leads the country in most touchdown passes without an interception. The Terrible Tiger is also almost perfect when facing pressure, though I will allow two caveats: 1) some of that pressure is because we don’t chip the end on a rollout, choosing to release the TE or back to get open in the flat and 2) he hasn’t had to go through many progressions, instead able to hit the primary target because the defense can’t cover them. Whatever the nuance or context, our QB1 is playing like the #1 QB in the country.

Now forgive me, as I was weaned at the nipple of Larry Munson’s scratch so here’s what does worry me about playing an SEC game on national television with a UGA squad playing their first Power 4 competition:

1.  60 minutes. The Georgia defensive starters have only played around 60 snaps apiece. And that has been spread over 2 games and 7 days. How will they fare when they will likely have a significant increase? There has been good energy and high effort so far, but how will they respond when they’re sweating and sucking eggs in the 3^rd and 4^th quarter – something they haven’t had to do this season?

Meanwhile, the Razorbacks were holding onto a 2 score lead in the 4^th quarter against North Alabama, and trying to keep the score less embarrassing last week in Utah, so they’re used to playing their 1’s the entire game.  A game at high noon in mid-September in Fayetteville is due to be warm, and conditioning could be a big factor.

2 .  Even getting stymied by the Utes, Arkansas did have 5 different pass catchers average in double digit yards per reception. And 9 different Razorbacks have that same qualification on the season. Only 4 receiving touchdowns (Gunner Stockton guffaws at this), but they are getting some chunk plays from the passing game.

Hog OC Tim Cramsey brings the fast-paced no-huddle tempo from Memphis, and QB KJ Jackson is getting it out of his hands quickly. He hasn’t been overly accurate (55.1% completion), and the offensive line has given up 7 sacks, yet somehow they are moving the ball.

 3 . Arkansas has been dwelling in the bottom of the SEC the last few seasons, sharing a special handshake with Mississippi State and pining as Vanderbilt climbed the stairs to the kitchen. With a head coach in his first season in the Power 4 and in rebuild mode, and not so impressive results the first 2 weeks, you might expect the Hogs to have no chance against the Bulldogs where the exact opposition situation exists.

Oregon probably thought the exact same thing last Saturday when they traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma. But lo and behold, the underdog coach got his message across, the players trusted the process, the Ducks were lackluster, and proverbial lightning struck. That is the exact scenario Georgia is facing when they get off the bus at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Georgia has a history of providing new coaches and programs a signature victory. Let’s not give them that chance, shall we?

Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Let us know in the comments what you’re feeling about opening SEC play on the road and starting a string of 5 straight conference games.  And as always…

GO ‘DAWGS!!!