Keys to Victory: Arkansas Razorbacks vs LSU Tigers
By Cory Thone
There’s not a lot of complexity to the LSU Tigers football team. They run the ball better than just about anybody in the country. It seems the only way to stop their rushing attack is to have 11 future NFL players on your defense. Now, while I love our players, I’m not sold on that just yet for some of our guys. So the Arkansas Razorbacks are going to have to find a way to slow down Leonard Fournette, while also accounting for the other athletes on LSU’s offense.
The Tigers have their work cut out for them as well, though. The Razorbacks offense has become one of, if not the, most explosive offensive units in the conference. The Hogs run an incredibly balanced attack. Even in games like Ole Miss where Arkansas breaks passing records, the Hogs still get 150 rushing yards and some rushing scores. LSU is going to have to pick who they want to key in on: The most efficient QB in the conference in Brandon Allen, or the dynamic running attack of Alex Collins and Kody Walker. That is not an enviable task.
For LSU, the advantage SHOULD BE in their passing game. The Hogs have struggled all season to stop the passing attack. Arkansas is dead last in the conference in passing defense, and is notorious for giving up big plays. However, as bad as the Hogs have been on defense against the pass, LSU has been equally bad trying to throw the ball downfield. The Tigers are last in the SEC in passing yards, and have only thrown 10 touchdowns this season. This definitely plays into Arkansas’ advantage, since the Hogs have an acceptable rushing defense (6th in the conference) to combat the ground attack of Fournette.
Oct 31, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks running back Alex Collins (3) rushes against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated UTM 63-28. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Honestly, on paper, I would pick the team that had the more complex offense and was on a 3 game winning streak. That would be the Arkansas Razorbacks, of course. But there’s something mystical about Death Valley at night. It’s damn near impossible to win there. The Hogs haven’t done it since 2007, and that took overtime and some amazing plays to do it.
But, Arkansas has already won twice on the road in hostile environments, and these seniors are no strangers to the crowds in Baton Rouge. If the Razorbacks want to escape from Louisiana (who doesn’t, honestly?) with a win, here’s how they’ll do it.
Keys to Victory vs LSU Tigers
1) Contain Leonard Fournette – The Arkansas Razorbacks will have to contend with the best running back in college football. Even after LSU’s poor showing in Tuscaloosa, the Tiger’s STILL have the #1 rushing offense in the conference. And while some of the luster might have been knocked off Fournette in the loss last week, he’s only 1 great game away from being right back up to #1 in the Heisman talks. If the Hogs can keep Fournette around 100 yards, then they’ll force the Tigers to throw the ball more. And that’s how you shut that offense down.
2) Play Opportunistic Offense – As I discussed earlier this week, the Razorbacks have become a very opportunistic offense as of late. They extend plays, they take advantage of opportunities, and they execute well down field. LSU has to decide if they’re going to key in on Allen or Collins. Whichever one they are focused on, then the Hogs MUST execute in the other category. The Razorbacks offense will be given plenty of opportunities to score today if the playcalling (and execution) is fluid.
3) Minimize Mistakes – “No Duh”, you say. Well, yes, it’s obvious that not making mistakes is beneficial. But when you’re on the road, especially on the road in Baton Rouge, then mistakes can be critical. Last week, Arkansas had minimal penalties and no turnovers. And even with minimal penalties, they still cost the Hogs big in key moments in the game. LSU is not flashy. They don’t mes around, and they don’t turn the ball over much. Arkansas cannot give this team yards or possessions, because they probably won’t reciprocate.
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The Razorbacks have a tough road ahead of them, but none of the games are as imposing as LSU at night in Baton Rouge. Coming into the season, Bret Bielema was looking for his first conference road win. They finally got it at Tennessee. They got their first ranked road win last week against Ole Miss. Now, the Hogs have a chance to redeem themselves in Death Valley. Let’s just not give up any 4th quarter 92 yard drives, at least.
Woo Pig.