HOG BLOG: Arkansas can take the SWC sweep
The Aggies have been the thorn in our side for 9 long years. Time to end this misery and keep ascending under Sam Pittman.
By: Wild Hog
KJ Jefferson has to play a near perfect game and get the passing game going for the Hogs to get the elusive W against A&M. (Photo: Sports Illustrated)
The Razorbacks are rolling into Dallas with eyes on a Southwest Classic that just feels...different this year. There’s something special in the air, and Hogs fans everywhere are approaching levels of hype unseen for years. That devil on the shoulder I’ve written about is in one ear whispering sweet, sweet nothings, saying “There’s a path to an unbeaten record and the natty, you just gotta call the Hogs loud enough.”
The angel is a little less aggressive, but he’s nonetheless more optimistic than ever. Now ranked #16 in the nation, the Hogs have a tough stretch ahead, but there’s no game left on the schedule, except for Lord Saban and the Tide, that is unwinnable for this Hog squad. Razorback fans have something to be proud of for the first time in awhile - see a great bit from an Honors College rep with the University:
The Hogs are 3-0 for the first time since 2016, and with a big non-conference win against UT under their belt, they’re looking ready for SEC play - that starts this Saturday against arguably our biggest demon of the last decade: Texas A&M. If anyone is the man for the job, it’s our lord and savior Sam Pittman. In case you missed it, SEC Shorts did a great job highlighting the impact of the hire.
In all seriousness, I have to pause the recap to give a quick shout-out to the man of the hour - Pittman is the toast of Arkansas, and it’s especially sweet after everyone clowned Hunter Yurachek for the hire back in 2019. Sam was the right man for the job, because he wanted the job.
“The longtime assistant nobody seemed to take seriously as a viable head coach. The guy who was in tears when he was finally offered the job at Arkansas, a position reportedly nobody else wanted. The guy who accepted that offer before even bothering to haggle over contract details. The guy who has said multiple times, unprompted, that this will be his last job.
The guy who wanted to be here.
And that matters, maybe more than anything else a coach can bring to bear.”
Now back to the game before I start crying again.
Arkansas technically leads the series all time 41-33-3, but the Aggies currently own a 9-game win streak that’s tied for the longest in the contest’s history, dating back to the 60s when a then-dominant Razorback team was constantly in the running for national greatness and won 9 from ‘58 -’66.
The worst part about this matchup over the last decade is that despite either team’s ranking, talent, record or anything else, it has never felt out of reach for Razorbacks, which makes the heartbreak all the more painful. Absurdity always happens, and it always comes down to the wire. Take a look at those final scores above - five of nine have been decided by a touchdown or less, and three of them included thrillers in OT.
I’m sure this upcoming contest will be no different, but don’t expect any of the high-scoring affairs we’ve seen in the past. This is going to be a bare-knuckle brawl fought in the trenches, and I’d be surprised if this game hits the over, which is currently sitting at 47.5.
Both the Aggies and the Razorbacks are ranked in the top 15 for defensive efficiency in the nation, and offensive question marks for both teams means defenses will be feasting all day.
On the Arkansas side, you’ve got electric playmakers like Bumper Pool and Jalen Catalon, who lead the conference in tackles at 1 and 2. The Razorbacks are currently second in the conference in tackles behind only Ole Miss. The Razorbacks just might have the best LB core in the country, and their D-line is dangerous too, with players like John Ridgeway III giving opposing QBs plenty of trouble. Zach Calzada will have his work cut out for him.
The Razorbacks are admittedly susceptible over the top, with several instances in both the UT and GA Southern games highlighting the opportunity for opposing teams to exploit the deep ball. If not for some errant passes and muffed catches, scores in both games might look very different.
For A&M, it might not be solo players lighting it up, but they’re getting the job done as a team. Ranked fourth in the conference in solo tackles, sacks, and interceptions, the Aggies make plays all over the field. Holding Colorado to a single score and absolutely routing New Mexico, their defense is oppressive - they currently lead the nation by a wiiiide margin in passing yards allowed per game, posting a terrifying 77.3 yards per game allowed in the air. Next closest team is Baylor at 111. Expect the Aggies to lock down air attempts and make life very difficult for Razorback receivers.
The Razorbacks are no slouches here either, coming in at 12th with 142 air yards allowed per game. The Razorbacks have not been the most consistent in the passing game so far, which is not ideal heading into such a defensive meat grinder, but weapons like Treylon Burks will ALWAYS be a threat.
Look at those BIG, MEATY CLAWS!
It’s all going to come down to the run game.
The key for the Aggies will be attempting to stop a very stout Razorbacks run game, which is bringing not one, not two, but three rushers averaging more than 5 yards a carry, including QB KJ Jefferson who, if you weren’t already familiar, is very difficult to bring down.
On the Razorback side of the ball, offensive execution will be critical to success. Getting KJ into gear and building some passing momentum will force the A&M defenders to drop extra guys to guard the pass and hopefully open up the run game for him and his backs.
The Razorbacks will also need some real concentration from special teams. I’m not even asking you guys to be special, just be decent. No mistakes. In a game that will surely come down to the wire and may see few scores at all, the Razorbacks cannot afford costly mistakes from special teams.
Whether you’re a blessed Sam Pittman acolyte or a cult member who worships a bunch of glorified milkmen running around with Lassie, this game is sure to be a good one, with season-altering ramifications for either team.
Will the Aggies offense find its groove? Maybe. Will the Razorbacks exorcise their biggest demon? Maybe. Will Texas be a mid-tier SEC team at best? You can count on it.
See y’all Saturday, and turn that damn jukebox on.
Woo Pig.
#16 Arkansas 20
#7 Texas A&M 17