Arkansas and No. 8 LSU are set for a primetime matchup at Razorback Stadium Saturday evening. Here are 3 “Musts” for the Razorbacks if they have plans on bringing the Golden Boot back to Fayetteville.
1.) Arkansas MUST get Taylen Green going in run game
Green is not on the SEC Availability Report, so it sounds like the bye week did the trick in terms of recovering from a scary low blow against Tennessee and healing up a bone bruise to his knee. If Green is full throttle, getting the most out of his dual-threat capabilities looms large against LSU.
Through the first three games of the season, Green averaged 81 yards per on the ground. In three SEC games, he has rushed for 81 total with just net yard on the ground in his last two outings.
LSU struggled to contain South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, who ran 10 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns. If Green is able to extend plays, and drives, with his legs like he did early in the season, it opens up everything else for the Razorbacks offensively.
[You might also be interested in Arkansas-LSU Midweek Injury Report]
2.) Arkansas MUST Create Havoc On Defense
Travis Williams had Tennessee second guessing themselves all night a couple week ago. Now, his defense will try and do the same against a high-octane LSU offense after having two weeks to prepare.
Arkansas made life difficult for Nico Iamaleava by getting creative with schemes and pressures and coming up with four sacks against a Tennessee O-Line that had only given up six to that point in the season.
LSU can be one-dimensional at times offensively, but that dimension is potent with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier slinging it around to the likes of Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson and Mason Taylor. He currently ranks sixth nationally at 331.5 passing yards per game and fifth with 18 touchdown passes.
He has also thrown six interceptions…
Ole Miss did a nice job of keeping Nussmeier out of rhythm as he completed just 22 of his 51 pass attempts. They also did so without recording a sack. LSU leads the country with only two sacks allowed all season.
Can Arkansas get home or at least make Nussmeier uncomfortable enough to muddy things up in Fayetteville on Saturday?
3.) Arkansas MUST Win The Turnover Battle
At times this season, Arkansas has been its own worst enemy. Turnovers have been a major culprit in the two losses. When the Razorbacks play relatively clean, like the Tennessee game, they have proven capable of playing with anyone.
The Hogs can not afford to give this LSU offense free possessions and will need Taylen Green to command the offense and keep the ball out of harm’s way. The Tigers have three interceptions and five fumble recoveries on the year.
On the flip side, LSU averages more than 460 yards and 34 points per game. The Tigers are likely to move the ball and probably score a healthy amount of points.
A takeaway or two could make a major difference if the Razorbacks are able to capitalize on opportunities on the back end.
Nussmeier has been great this season, but he has some gunslinger in him and is averaging an interception per game. He will throw into to coverage. Arkansas will have opportunities. Can they take advantage?
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