Summer Preview Series: Arkansas vs Texas A&M

The fourth game of the season will be the Arkansas Razorbacks’ first SEC contest in 2015:

After what should be a comfortable ride to a 3-0 start on the season, Arkansas will open up SEC play with a neutral site game on Sept. 26th against the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

The Razorbacks are looking for revenge in 2015 after a crushing defeat to the Aggies a year ago. The Hogs held a 14-point fourth quarter advantage before squandering the lead and eventually losing in overtime 35-28. The Aggies would finish the season 8-5, beating West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl.

Both teams look to start the season inside the top 25 rankings as Texas A&M is projected around the 20 to 25 range by many analysts. Others have them ranked just outside the top 25 looking in.

Much like the Razorbacks, Texas A&M is returning eight starters on both sides of the ball in 2015.

OFFENSE

In what looks like a surprising move, the Aggies have chosen to start the season with sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen, who won the job over junior Kenny Hill. Allen took over for Hill just past halfway through the 2014 season and impressed immediately.

Aug 28, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Ricky Seals-Jones (9) and Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Josh Reynolds (11) celebrate a long play in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

He threw for 1,322 yards and added 16 touchdowns against 7 interceptions as a freshman. Although Hill’s numbers were slightly better and at one time considered a Heisman dark horse, Allen earned the starting nod after a tremendous Spring. The 294 yards of passing and 5 total touchdowns in Texas A&M’s bowl game and a solid road victory at Auburn last season certainly helped the young man’s cause as well.

Regardless of the signal caller, the Aggies showcase one of the most threatening group of wide receivers in the country. Even with the loss of Malcolm Kennedy, Texas A&M brings back three starters at wide receiver, including 2014 All-Conference performer Josh Reynolds. Sophomores Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil round out an impressive trio that reeled in 147 passes a season ago.

Freshman Christian Kirk is also receiving high praise at wide receiver and looks to be a serious weapon in the offense that shows 4 and 5-wide often. Texas A&M offensive coordinator Jake Spavital raved about the work Kirk, who was No. 35 overall in the 2015 ESPN 300, has put in so far in College Station, Texas. “He is a straight professional,” Spavital said. “He watches just as much tape as I do.”

The run game was the achilles heel for the Aggies in 2014 and backs Tra Carson and Brandon Williams will have to improve if Texas A&M looks to compete for the SEC West title in 2015.

DEFENSE

The Aggies defense struggled in 2014, but head coach Kevin Sumlin convinced defensive coordinator John Chavis to leave LSU and join his coaching staff. Chavis is considered one of the nation’s best defensive minds.

Texas A&M also brings back eight starters on defense, including 2014 All-Conference defensive end/linebacker Myles Garrett. He set an SEC freshman record with 11.5 sacks in 2014 and is set to lead the new look defense.

They ranked an unimpressive 77th in the nation (28.1) in points allowed per game a season ago. Chavis will certainly have to improve the team’s pass defense moving forward.

HOW THE RAZORBACKS CAN WIN

The plan is simple for the Hogs, like it always is under head coach Bret Bielema. Controlling the clock with a solid running game behind Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams will lead to victory against Texas A&M. Keeping the Aggies offense off the field will be more significant in this game than any other game this year.

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Running the football will always be the first plan of attack for Arkansas, but a steady dose of the short passing game will win it for the Razorbacks at the beautiful Cowboy Stadium. I’d expect an abundance of screen passes from offensive coordinator Dan Enos in this game, which could be our first real look during the season. Hitting tight ends Hunter Henry and Jeremy Sprinkle will be key on third down. Arkansas tight ends caught 8 balls for 107 yards in last year’s game.

If Arkansas controls the clock like we anticipate, I can see the Razorbacks winning by two or three touchdowns and extending their record to 4-0. Revenge will certainly be on the minds of Razorback Nation.

HOW THE AGGIES CAN WIN

Winning the turnover battle is a must for Texas A&M. As a passing team, Arkansas is almost assured the time of possession battle, which means the Aggies will have to induce some turnovers to keep their offense on the field.

With an inexperienced linebacker group at Arkansas, they should attack the middle of the field with extensive passing. Normally I would say a good balance on offense is crucial, but I’d expect about 50 passes from Texas A&M in this contest with some hurry up offense mixed in.

Texas A&M will be anxious to prove their defense can play in their SEC opener and will have to force a couple of turnovers to earn the victory in Arlington.

PREDICTION

With too much experience on offense, I believe Arkansas manhandles the Texas A&M defense by controlling the clock and limiting turnovers. The Aggies passing attack will be scary, but the Hogs will make just enough plays on defense and not allow too many big plays.

In my way too early for a prediction series, I’m going with Arkansas in another very close game between the two teams.

ARK 31 – TEX A&M 27