OFFENSE
For the first time in what seems like years, Texas faces an offense that runs a traditional slow-down (compared to Big 12 offenses), huddle-up offense that prefers to run the football and only passes when necessary. Much like the Longhorns, Arkansas elects to slow the game down and tries to win by controlling the clock with methodical drives.
The Razorbacks run out of a variety of sets, including: single-back, shotgun with a single-back, and shotgun with an offset RB/FB.
– Arkansas has an average offense that is good at rushing the football (28
th
– 220.3 ypg) and poor at passing (99
th
– 190.3 ypg) which equates to 58
th
nationally in total offense and 48
th
in scoring (32.0 ppg).
– While QB Brandon Allen does a good job protecting the football (only 5 INT’s), he has a below average completion percentage (56.3%) and only 18 TDs on the season.
– The Razorback offensive line has done an outstanding job in paving the way for the running backs as well as protecting the QB. The Hogs rank 11
th
in sacks allowed (1.08 sacks allowed per game – 12 total).
– Arkansas ranks 80
th
in red zone scoring as they’ve only converted 41 of 51 opportunities.
DEFENSE
Arkansas runs a basic 4-2-5 defense that features several strong defensive performers in the front 6.
– Arkansas has a very efficient defense that is ranked 24
th
in yards allowed (345.4 ypg) and 15
th
in points allowed (20.3 ppg).
– While the Razorback defense limits yards and points, they only rank 90
th
in sacks (1.75 spg – 21 total sacks).
– Teams have been more successful against Arkansas when they pass the ball, as opponents average 221.4 passing yards per game (56
th
) with 19 total TDs through the air (opposed to 124.0 rushing yards per game with 10 rushing TD’s).
– The Arkansas Red Zone defense has been very effective this year. They limited opponents to scoring on only 22 of 32 attempts, which is 4
th
nationally.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Arkansas is average in most areas of special teams. After poor performances at the beginning of the year in field goal kicking, the Razorbacks switched kickers. The Hogs chose to go with Adam McFain, who is 6/8 on the year with a long of 49 yards.
Similar to the Longhorns, Arkansas struggled defending kick returns, as they rank 111th in the county, allowing 23.64 yards/return, including one TD. Much like TCU, the Razorbacks limit punt returns, as they only allow 3.0 yards per punt return, but they only average 38.53 yards per punt.
The best unit of Arkansas’ special teams is their kickoff return, which averages 25.32 yards per return, including returning one for a TD.