Keys to Victory: Arkansas Razorbacks vs UT-Martin
By Cory Thone
Game day is finally here, and the Arkansas Razorbacks are (hopefully) prepared to take on the University of Tennessee at Martin Skyhawks. Oh what a battle it will be on the gridiron in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Can you feel the excitement?
No? I didn’t think so. This is an FCS team that lost to Ole Miss 76-3 in week 1. Granted, that was when Ole Miss was playing so well they beat Alabama, but still, that is a major butt whipping. The Razorbacks open as a solid favorite over the Skyhawks, but that doesn’t mean that the Hogs should overlook this FCS squad.
UT Martin is 5-2, with their only other loss coming to #1 FCS ranked Jacksonville State. JVS took Auburn to overtime earlier in the season, just like the Hogs did last week. The Skyhawks are going to test the Razorbacks secondary all day long. The good thing for Arkansas is that they’ve seen better passing games on multiple occasions.
Here are the three Keys to Victory for the Razorbacks over UT-Martin:
First step is to limit the big passing plays by senior QB Jarod Neal, the reining FCS offensive player of the week. Neal is a gifted thrower, and has made big plays for the Skyhawks all year, with minimal turnovers. Neal has thrown for 1893 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only 4 interceptions. His favorite target is Rod White, another senior who has 42 receptions, 671 yards, and 10 touchdowns already on the year. The Razorbacks have looked strong on defense all year, until they give up the 3 or 4 big plays in key moments. The Hogs have played a tough schedule this year and once again have a top 20 defense in overall points and yards allowed, so Arkansas should be able to contain the Skyhawks sky hawking attack.
Next, the Hogs need to run the damn ball. Kody Walker needs the reps, and see if you can get Alex Collins out of the game in the second half. The running game will control the clock and keep the ball out of the Skyhawk’s hands, therefore taking the ball out of Neal’s hands. The fastest way for the Hogs to take control of the game is to run the damn ball.
Finally, Arkansas shouldn’t make any mistakes. That’s why they lost to Toledo, and it cost them huge against TTU and TAMU. The Razorbacks have gotten much better at not holding, or jumping offsides, or clipping in big moments. Keep that up. No turnovers, no big flags, no poor execution. The Razorbacks are the better team, and they should act like it. If Brandon Allen can keep from making too many mistakes, and if the Hogs don’t put the ball on the ground in the running game, then they should be fine.
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Kickoff is at 3pm on the SEC network. If the Hogs win this game, then they only need 2 more wins to be bowl eligible, with 4 games left on the schedule. It’s indeed a huge game for the Razorbacks, regardless of what you may think.
Woo Pig.