The Arkansas Razorbacks take on the Tennessee Volunteers this weekend following a loss from A&M. Here’s what to expect from the Hogs in this outing.
The Razorbacks are sitting at 2-3 halfway through the season and their record does not do the new look Hogs any justice. This Hog team is firing on all cylinders and the coaching staff of this Razorbacks team has done tremendous things in such a short amount of time; They are only improving as the later half of the season approaches.
With this week’s matchup against Tennessee, Razorback fans should be very excited to face a Vols team that has struggled drastically on defense this season. The Vols having taken losses from Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama in blowout fashion; Should give the Razorback offense the opportunity to showcase just how good their offense really is. On the offensive side of the ball guys to watch out for are QB Feleipe Franks, RB’s Rakeem Boyd and Trelon Smith, and last but not least WR Treylon Burks.
The Volunteers struggle to stop everything on Defense.
Feleipe Franks has thrown for 1,213 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season with only 3 interceptions. Franks also has a 66% pass completion percentage averaging 7.6 yards per completion. With Franks being able to use his legs when he needs to; expect Feleipe Franks to control the offense and take advantage of the holes in this Tennessee defense when they are presented.
The 2 headed monster tandem in the Razorback backfield will have its way with the Vols defense one way or the other. Trelon Smith is averaging 4.1 yards per carry on the season with 251 total yards. Not to mention Rakeem Boyd coming off a 100 yards rushing and 1 touchdown performance averaging 5.6 yards per carry against the Aggies. Look for these two to hold it down on the ground game.
Treylon Burks was overshadowed in last weeks matchup against the Aggies as they put-up big numbers on the Razorback defense. Burks had a quiet 117 receiving yards on only 7 receptions and to go along with that he had 2 touchdowns. Burks is averaging 14.1 yards per reception so far this season. Be on the look out for Burks down the stretch taking advantage of a weak Vols passing defense.
The Razorback Defense is the X Factor.
The Razorback defense is now ranked number 2 in the FBS interceptions ranking with 10 interceptions; Just one behind Kentucky who have 11. Flash back to a few weeks ago and the Vols threw 3 interceptions against Kentucky. This should excite Razorback fans with the possibility of another dominant defensive outing just like against Ole Miss.
Watch for linebackers Grant Morgan and Bumper Pool to cause problems for the Vols ground attack and don’t forget about the DB’s Jalen Catalon, Joe Foucha, and Hudson Clark; expect these DB’s to jam up Vols receivers early and force them to run the ball. If the Razorback defense enforces their dominance early, then this week’s matchup will be a cakewalk. Woo Pig Sooie!
