The Hogs lost yet another one-score defeat under Sam Pittman to Texas A&M last week, and now, Arkansas has its biggest test in front of them, with No. 5 Tennessee making the trip to Fayetteville on Saturday.
One glaring weakness from last week's game was the Razorbacks' inability to slow down the Aggies' defensive front. The Volunteers have arguably the best defensive line in the SEC, so Arkansas must play better upfront to have a chance. Razorbackers went behind enemy lines and reached out to Colton Pickard of All for Tennessee to learn more about what Arkansas faces this weekend.
Q & A with Colton Pickard of All for Tennessee
Q: Nico Iamaleava is probably my favorite quarterback in college football, not wearing an Arkansas jersey. As a young player, he looks as poised as a veteran, seemingly making all the right decisions no matter the situation. From the outside looking in, it’s hard to see his faults. So, what are some things he still needs to work on?
A: Nico can thread the needle, hit receivers in stride down the field, and use his legs to create plays, but the biggest area he can improve is protecting the football. Nico had two turnovers against NC State and Oklahoma between interceptions and fumbles. Those four turnovers didn't matter much, but it will be hard to win many games in the SEC if he continues to turn the ball over. He's a freshman, so it's hard to ask too much out of him with so little experience, but he is exceeding expectations so far, and it's hard to be too upset or critical about his performance so far this season.
Next slide: Q&A cont.
Q&A cont.
Q: Who are some Tennessee players Arkansas fans need to know before the game?
A: Dylan Sampson is the workhorse of Tennessee's offense. Josh Heupel is known for the "air raid" style offense he runs, although he's made it clear it's not an air raid system, but the run game powers the offense. Tennessee's defensive line is one of the deepest units on the roster this year, so I could list a number of those guys, but another player is Joshua Josephs.
Everyone knows James Pearce Jr, but don't overlook Josephs on the opposite side of the defensive line. He can be a game-wrecker when the offensive line prioritizes Pearce or other defensive linemen. Wide receiver Mike Matthews is another guy who came into the season without a ton of eyes on him. He made some big plays against Kent State and has a chance to be Tennessee's next big deep threat as a Freshman.
Q: Before the Oklahoma game, the Vols averaged 63 points a game, but against the Sooners, Tennessee scored only 25 points. What happened there?
The Oklahoma defense was the best defense the Vols offense had faced to that point, so I think that, combined with their first road test, could have been part of it. It's hard for any young quarterback to go on the road and dominate the way Nico and the offense have done at home this year. Heupel also chose to protect the ball and lean on the defense throughout the second half as they were shutting down the Oklahoma offense until the fourth quarter.
Next slide: Q&A cont.
Q&A cont.
Q: Tennessee’s defense will be the best the Razorbacks have faced. However, Arkansas’s quarterback Taylen Green is a dynamic playmaker, even though he’s made some questionable decisions. How do the Volunteers attack him and this Hogs offense?
A: I really like Taylen Green, and I'm concerned he makes a few plays because he is a dynamic playmaker who can keep the Razorbacks in the game. However, Tennessee's defensive line could be too deep for Arkansas's offensive line. It will be tough to keep him at bay all game, but Tennessee will need to force Green into a pressure situation, force him to make some of those same questionable decisions, and look to force a couple of turnovers.
Q: Josh Heupel seems like a coach you’d run through a wall for, and it seems like the fanbase loves him. Do you think he’s the next coming of Phil Fulmer, or do you think he’ll go even further?
A: It seems like Heupel has figured out how to lead his guys on and off the field, which is what any fanbase would love to see from their head coach. He has brought a much-needed change in culture, and it's a breath of fresh air to see the entire team and staff be loose, have fun, and play an exciting brand of football. As for the comparison to Fulmer, they have started their Tennessee tenure similarly.
Both coaches secured a Citrus Bowl victory in their first three years of the season, and it looks like Heupel is right on Fulmer's tail to match his success on Rocky Top. Fulmer won a National Championship in Year Six at Tennessee, and Heupel is in a great spot to match him or surpass him as one of the best head coaches in program history.
Next slide: Q&A cont.
Q&A cont.
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 Tennessee?
A: Heupel has put together a deep and vicious front seven on defense, which has been a game-changer for the Vols through the season's first four games. I know Arkansas struggled on the offensive line last year, but they have improved this year, so I'm interested to see how the Vols' defensive line responds to another SEC test.
Tennessee will also have John Campbell Jr and Lance Heard for this game, which is huge for the Vols' offensive line. They struggled against Oklahoma's defensive line without Heard and Campbell throughout most of that game, so watching to see if the Vols o-line remains healthy could be Tennessee's biggest challenge moving forward.
Q: It might be the homer in me, but I think the Razorbacks' defense is underrated. Both Arkansas and Oklahoma held Auburn to 21 points or less. Do you think Tennessee could have trouble getting the ball rolling against the Hogs like it did against the Sooners?
A: I have been big on Arkansas all season, so I don't disagree with you. Excluding the Oklahoma State game, I think the Razorbacks are exceeding expectations on both sides of the ball, especially on defense. Auburn isn't a great football team, but it's hard to hold any SEC team to 14 points, and I think we could see a close game, especially the first half, similar to Tennessee's games against NC State and Oklahoma. The spread sits at two touchdowns. I hope I'm wrong, but I'd be surprised if Tennessee runs away with the win and easily covers in this game.