Razorbackers go 'Behind Enemy Lines' with Ole Hotty Toddy site expert Jordan Merritt

Q: One of the things that separates the SEC from the other Power Four conferences is talent in the trenches. How do you see that matchup shaking out between Arkansas and Ole Miss?

I think both defensive fronts could have success in the game. The Ole Miss offensive line play has been the Achilles heel on the team, not just in protecting Jaxson Dart, but mental errors leading to many holding/false start penalties, putting the team in third and long situations. The Rebels couldn’t get the run game going in the last game, an area Lane Kiffin said the offensive line needed to improve against Arkansas.

If the Ole Miss offensive line can help generate running lanes for the running backs and stop being penalized, the Rebels could hold the advantage. That's easier said than done on the road in the SEC.

Q: Arkansas's starting running back, Ja’quinden Jackson, will likely not play against Ole Miss. However, freshman running back Brayden Russell and quarterback Taylen Green rushed for over 240 yards against Mississippi State. How do the Rebels stop Arkansas’s rushing attack?

Although Taylen Green has differences, Ole Miss did a great job limiting South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers in Week 6. The Ole Miss front has been good at blocking down the middle and getting off blocks to force quarterbacks out of the pocket. This led Sellers to use his legs outside, with the speed of linebackers Chris Paul and TJ Dottery able to follow him and stop big chunk plays on the outside. 

The same plan has been used against dynamic running backs. We will see if the Rebels can have the same success in this game. However, Arkansas OC Bobby Petrino may have some tricks up his sleeve against a dominant run defense.