What the Hogs Need to Do Against No. 4 Texas A&M

After falling just short on the road against Tennessee, the Hogs will need to play exceptional football to take down No. 4 Texas A&M. The undefeated Aggies travel to Fayetteville to face an Arkansas team that showed last week it can still compete with ranked opponents.

The Hogs Need Turnovers

The Razorbacks have not forced a turnover since Sept. 20 at Memphis. In last week’s three-point loss to Tennessee, one takeaway could have been the difference between another heartbreak and a major road win. With weather conditions in Fayetteville expected to play a role, Arkansas must find a way to force turnovers and disrupt the Aggies’ offensive rhythm to have a real chance at the upset.

The Hogs Need to Protect the Football

Ball security has been a major issue for the Hogs this season, and rain could make it worse. To pull off a win over a top-five opponent, Arkansas will need to play a clean game and avoid giving Texas A&M free possessions. The Razorbacks lost three fumbles against Tennessee, which made it much harder to close out what was otherwise a strong offensive performance.

The Hogs Need to Stop Marcel Reed

With Texas A&M’s leading rusher Le’Veon Moss sidelined, the Aggies will rely heavily on quarterback Marcel Reed to carry the offense. Reed has thrown for 1,490 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 186 yards and three more scores. The Hogs’ defense has struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks this season, allowing them to escape the pocket for big plays on critical downs. Arkansas must find a way to keep Reed contained if it wants to slow down A&M’s explosive offense.

What It Means

This matchup presents another major challenge for Bobby Petrino’s Hogs but also a chance to make a statement. Despite the losses, Arkansas has shown fight and flashes of improvement under its interim coach. To turn that effort into results, the Razorbacks must win the turnover battle, control the ball, and keep Reed in check. If they can execute those three things, the Hogs could have a real shot at shocking the college football world in Fayetteville.