re: If Arkansas actually beats Auburn to start the season

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Agreed... it's a style that'll keep ark in games and prevent blowouts (they didn't get blown out after the bama game iirc).

The problem is you gotta be flawless on those long drives... can't afford TOs like last year or drops by WRs.

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No team can afford to lose the TO margin, doesn't matter what style or philosophy is used give the other team extra chances will hurt every team.

The WR corps last year didn't help BA or the team, in every close game they failed to show up, untimely drops on 3rd conversions, causing drives to stall, etc. The good news is there are numbers at the position this year and the guys brought in are promising prospects. On the year BA's completion % was near 60% to the TEs and RBs, close to 44% to the WRs, the WRs out gained the TEs/RBs by 300 yards, but scored less TDs and had less third down conversions (IIRC).

On the other hand, if the offense plays smart penalty and turnover free ball and sustains drives, it will put more pressure on the uptempo teams like Auburn to sustain drives, a 3 and out by their offenses would be basically equal to a turnover via fumble or interception due to placing more pressure on the defense by keeping them on the field longer. This also would help Arkansas' defense by allowing rest as it doesn't have the depth built to where it needs to be, but is getting close, much closer than it ever was under Petrino.

That's true... but longer drives means more plays means more opportunities for guys to screw up... sustaining longer drives requires turnover free/penalty free/mistake free football.