The Arkansas Razorbacks (5-3, 3-2 SEC) are set for a key matchup against the Ole Miss Rebels (6-2, 2-2 SEC) on Saturday at 11 a.m. (CT) on ESPN at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Here are the 3 ‘Musts’ for the Razorbacks to pick up a win and clinch bowl eligibility.
1.) Arkansas MUST Hold Up On Offensive Line
Arkansas’ offensive line will have its work cut out to slow down the Rebels’ prominent defensive front.
Ole Miss leads the SEC and ranks second nationally with 4.3 sacks per game — the Rebels also pace the country with 10 TFL’s per game — with several playmakers littered throughout the front seven.
Meanwhile, Arkansas looked improved last week with starting guard Patrick Kutas back in the mix against Mississippi State’s porous defense, and keeping Taylen Green as clean as possible will be a major key.
It will also be interesting to see if Arkansas finds success establishing the run against the nation’s top rush defense that is allowing just 76 yards per game on the ground.
The Hogs had a banner day on the ground against Mississippi State, but abandoned ship on the run against LSU. With Ja’Quinden Jackson out for a second straight week, freshman Braylen Russell figures to be the bell cow.
[You might also be interested in 5 Rebels To Know Ahead of Big Matchup With Ole Miss]
2.) Arkansas MUST Contain Ole Miss’ Aerial Attack
As good as Travis Williams’ defense has been for the most part this season, the Razorbacks have shown some pretty significant chinks in the armor in the secondary in their last two outings.
Ole Miss is as pedestrian as it has ever been on the ground under Lane Kiffin, but the passing attack is plenty potent with Jaxson Dart slinging it to a deep, talented group of pass-catchers.
The secondary allowed 309 passing yards and was responsible for 11 missed tackles in Starkville last weekend. Now, they will need to tighten the screws against the SEC’s leading receiver, Tre Harris, playmaker Juice Wells and others.
Is Marquise Robinson up to the task? How will the combination of Hudson Clark and Jaheim Singletary hold up opposite him? Can Arkansas come up with a takeaway or two from Dart, who has only thrown three interceptions this season?
3.) Arkansas MUST Score in the Red Zone
Arkansas went a perfect 9-9 in the red zone against Mississippi State, but the Hogs still entered this week 14th in the SEC in red zone offense, which is pretty telling of the season-long struggles.
When Arkansas gets in scoring range on Saturday, finishing drives with points is a non-negotiable.
That will be easier said than done against a stingy Ole Miss defense that is only allowing points on 60% of opponent’s red zone opportunities, with only 30% of those being touchdowns.
Does Bobby Petrino have any more goal line heaters in his back pocket, and will Matthew Shipley be able to keep up his recent run of success?
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