Some Arkansas vs. Texas A&M predictions & notes

quote:

---

TREY BIDDY | 3-0 overall | 3-0 vs. spread

The Razorbacks can run, they can pass and they can stop the run. That’s three out of four. Texas A&M can stop the pass… One out of four. I’ll make it a draw on special teams. The Aggies have a wealth of young talent, but the Hogs are more veteran with the better quarterback in KJ Jefferson. Every matchup is important, but the most important is probably which team has the better quarterback with the better protection. Arkansas can score. A&M better be able to… SCORE: 31-24, W

---

quote:

---

ANDREW ELLIS | 3-0 overall | 2-1 vs spread

The Texas A&M offense has struggled mightily through three weeks while the Arkansas defense has given up explosive plays at an alarming rate, so something has got to give. The Aggies have talented skill players and now have more stability and experience with Max Johnson at quarterback, but I think the Razorbacks will come up with key stops when needed. I see the Hogs’ offense controlling the game on the ground and making enough big plays through the air to find success in what is likely their toughest test to this point. SCORE: 31-21, W

---

quote:

---

Texas A&M: So far this Aggies defense is as advertised, ranking 10th in college football allowing 8.7 points per game and 9th in pass defense and total production per game, and playing behind a gifted front seven unit, but quarterback play remains an issue, even after the changeover from Haynes King to Max Johnson. There's major talent at receiver and running back to be employed here, but something is still missing that keeps the unit from clicking.

Arkansas: No problems clicking for the Hogs offense, boasting a dual threat phenom with KJ Jefferson at quarterback, star running back Raheim Sanders working on the ground, and both behind a stout, veteran protection unit. Sanders has 3 straight 100-yard games and is 4th nationally with 440 yards, averaging almost 147 per game and more than 6 per attempt. Jefferson is a 71% passer with 3 rushing scores.

---

quote:

---

Among all rushers in the SEC, regardless of position, Jefferson is tied for the fourth-most rushing attempts (46) and tied for second in rushing touchdowns (three).

Defenses have become aware of Jefferson's running abilities after he was second at his position and 13th in the conference last season with 664 rushing yards. He's been more limited than usual in that regard through three games this season.

He's currently third among SEC quarterbacks in rushing yards (169), but, aside from the unique dual-threat ability, Jefferson has proven he can sling it as well. He's currently fifth in the conference in passing yards (770) while adding six touchdowns and just one interception.

---

quote:

---

Will Max Johnson look Heisman-like against Arkansas’ pass defense …

Arkansas has given up a ton of yardage through the air. Not only are the Razorbacks last by a wide margin in the SEC, they’re last in the FBS. No team in the country has given up more passing yards per game than Arkansas. Through 3 games, the Hogs have allowed 352.7 yards per game through the air.

Johnson threw for a career-high 435 yards for LSU against Ole Miss in the 2020 COVID season finale. It will be interesting to see if Fisher turns him loose in his 2nd start with the Aggies, or maintains a balanced attack on offense.

---

quote:

---

… or will Sanders and Co. put the Aggies’ QB on his backside

The Razorbacks have been able to somewhat offset their lack of a pass defense by getting to opposing quarterbacks. Linebacker Drew Sanders leads that charge. The Alabama transfer has already accumulated 6.0 sacks, which is tops in the nation. He has recorded at least 1 sack in each game.

As a team, Arkansas leads the country with 17.0 sacks. Adding to Sanders’ numbers, Jordan Domineck has 4.5 sacks, and Zach Williams another 2.5.

A beleaguered Texas A&M offensive line is beginning to get healthy and starting to round into shape. It will be interesting to see if it can hold off the Arkansas rush, especially considering the Aggies haven’t had much of a running game this year, and the Razorbacks have given up the fewest rushing yards in the SEC, yielding just 68.33 per game.

---