Two weeks after knocking off then-No. 4 Tennessee in a shocking upset, Arkansas looked largely uninspired in a 34-10 loss at the hands of No. 8 LSU. Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly from Arkansas' homecoming loss in Fayetteville.
Arkansas vs LSU: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The Good: Taylen Green played a solid football game
Before you crucify the author for daring to say something positive about the Arkansas signal caller, its important to remember that Green was always going to be a work in progress at the quarterback position. While it's true that he did make a few mistakes on Saturday night - namely taking sacks and throwing an interception that set LSU up in prime position to score - he looked the most comfortable he has in an SEC game all year, completing 21 of 31 passes for 239 yards.
His best series of the evening was on Arkansas' lone touchdown drive when he completed all five of his passes, including a beautiful touchdown toss to Andrew Armstrong that got Arkansas back in the game. As has been the case all season, he still has a long way to go before he's considered an elite SEC quarterback, but he's finally getting his bearings in the toughest conference in football.
The Bad: Arkansas' run game was nonexistent
Unfortunately for Arkansas, being a one-dimensional offense in the SEC is a surefire way to lose football games. That was the case on Saturday, when Arkansas ran for a grand total of 38 yards on 19 carries, averaging two yards per rushing play. Ja'Quinden Jackson was banged up throughout and posted his fourth consecutive game with less than 100 yards on the ground, while Braylen Russell was only alotted three carries, depsite his heroics against Tennessee.
LSU's defense largely negated Green's ability to scramble, and a fumble by Rashod Dubinion ensured that his playing time largely decreased. That meant all the pressure was put on Green and Arkansas' receiving core, and while they played well, it wasn't near enough for Arkansas to unseat their border rivals. Arkansas has proven it can run the ball effectively, and it must do so down the stretch if it wants to make a bowl game.
The Ugly: Arkansas' defense took the night off
One bad game doesn't nullify the incredible job that defensive coordinator Travis Williams has done coaching Arkansas' defense so far this season, but Saturday's game was a confusing one. LSU's dink-n-dunk passing attack shredded a usually stout Arkansas secondary, and a complimentary running game meant Arkansas had no answer for the Tigers.
Arkansas did manage to hold LSU to field goals on four drives, but too many third down conversions and wide open receivers led to LSU pulling away and never looking back. Arkansas' defense has consistently been its strongest unit, and it must return to form if Arkansas is to make an appearance in the postseason. A trip to Starkville against Mississipi State is a chance for the Hogs to regroup defensively before Ole Miss comes to town on Nov. 2.