Texas Tech to offer Razorbacks first test

This is the first in a series previewing the Arkansas Razorbacks’ opponents for 2015.

After opening the season with the equivalent of the dessert menu against Texas El Paso and Toledo, the Arkansas Razorbacks move on to an appetizer in Week 3 against Texas Tech on Sept. 19 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

While still finding their feet defensively a year ago, Bret Bielema’s Hogs outscored Kliff Kingbury’s Red Raiders, 49-28, in a track meet at Lubbock before Texas Tech limped on to a disappointing 4-8 season. The Red Raiders were an undisciplined squad in 2014 with a turnover-plagued offense and a porous defense.

Kingsbury, who made a splash in his inaugural season in west Texas with an 8-5 record, hopes to get his program back on track in 2015. With nine returning starters on offense and eight on defense, that is a possibility. The Red Raiders showed some life in their season finale against Baylor in Arlington, scaring the Bears before ultimately falling, 48-46. Kingsbury sought to shore up his defense by hiring David Gibbs away from Houston as his defensive coordinator.

Dec 29, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Jonathan Williams (32) runs during the game against the Texas Longhorns in the 2014 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

OFFENSE

The first question for the Red Raiders to answer in fall camp is who will start at quarterback. Davis Webb started eight games last season but threw 13 interceptions before being injured. In his stead, Patrick Mahomes stepped in the final three games to throw 14 touchdowns against two interceptions. With Mahomes, a dual threat under center who set a Big 12 freshman passing record of 508 yards against Baylor, splitting time on the baseball diamond and Webb, a pocket passer, on the mend from shoulder surgery in the spring, the quarterback job is up for grabs going into fall camp.

Kingsbury’s offense will move the ball in 2015 and it won’t only be through the air. DeAndre Washington averaged 5.9 yards per carry last season and nearly 100 yards a game, on stud tackle Le’Raven Clark. Jakeem Grant is a proven performer among a talented but inconsistent receivers group. Kingsbury hopes Ian Sadler and Devin Lauderdale pick up where they left off a year ago, but for Texas Tech’s offense to really hum, its receivers must be more reliable.

DEFENSE

The hallmark of Gibbs’ defenses at Houston was forcing turnovers. His Cougars defense instigated 30 takeaways last season to rank fifth in the nation. Gibbs wants to carry that over in Lubbock, but his troops must learn the ins and outs of his 4-3 scheme. There is talent available with linebacker Dakotah Allen, cornerback Nigel Bethel and safety Keenon Moore, but the Red Raiders will look for help from newcomers such as linebacker Mike Mitchell, a transfer from Ohio State, and freshman tackle Breiden Fehoko.

HOW THE RAZORBACKS CAN WIN

The Razorbacks can win by simply being who they are, and Bielema would have it no other way. The Red Raiders should expect a steady diet of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins pounding at them, but when they least expect it, Brandon Allen will test them with the play-action pass to tight end targets Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle. A less experienced, less confident and less talented Razorback squad nearly hung 50 on Texas Tech last season, and it could happen again if the Hogs take care of the football and execute the way most expect them to do.

It should be a rocking environment on the Hill with fans knowing their Hogs won’t return to Razorback Stadium for more than a month when they host Auburn on Oct. 24, and for whatever reason the Hogs perform much better at home during night games. Arkansas played smothering defense during the back half of last season, and if the Hogs can pick up where they left off in the Texas Bowl, it could be a long night for the Red Raiders.

HOW THE RED RAIDERS CAN WIN

Kingsbury truly knows his stuff on the offensive side of the football, and with Arkansas facing its first real challenge of the season, it will be interesting to see how the Hogs retooled defense withstands the Red Raiders offensive onslaught. Texas Tech will throw the ball around the field regardless off who nails down the quarterback spot, but the Hogs will also have to contend with the running of Washington.

Defensive coordinator Robb Smith worked wonders with the Hogs defense from midseason a year ago, dominating LSU and Ole Miss for back-to-back shutouts in SEC play and then holding Texas to a meaningless lone touchdown in the Texas Bowl. The Hogs feel like they have a plan in place to replace effective triangle of end Trey Flowers, tackle Darius Philon and linebacker Martrell Spaight, but the Red Raiders will be Arkansas’ first true test of Smith’s 2015 plan.

Arkansas did stumble with turnovers at crucial times during Bielema’s first two seasons, and new Texas Tech defensive coordinator specializes in forcing opponents to spit the bit. A ball on the ground here or an errant pass there could open the door to a Texas Tech upset.