By Hunt Palmer
Here’s a purely statistical breakdown of the Arkansas Razorbacks who LSU will see on Saturday night in Fayetteville. The Hogs are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. Arkansas won at Auburn and knocked off a Top 10 Tennessee team two weeks ago. The lost the Texas A&M game in Arlington. Everyone in the SEC except for Ole Miss has played six game with a bye week. The Rebels have played seven but are off this week. Of course, schedule strength still plays a large factor in the statistical breakdowns, but the footing is fairly equal after nearly two months of play. Here’s a look at where Arkansas stands in relation to the rest of the 16-team SEC.
(For perspective 1st is always the best, even if the number is lowest. 16 is always worst)
Arkansas Offense:
Scoring Offense: 9th 33 points per game
Total Offense: 3rd 484 yards per game
Rushing Offense: 4th 199 yards per game
Rushing Attempts: 5th 41.2 per game
Runs for 10+ yards: 1st 7.8 per game
Passing Offense: 5th 285 yards per game
Passing Attempts: 3rd 34.7 per game
Passes of 20+ yards: 6th 3.8 per game
Sacks Allowed: 11th 2.3 per game
Third Down Conversions: 1st 53%
Red Zone Touchdowns Percentage: 9th 65.5%
Plays: 1st 75.8 per game
Time of Possession: 2nd 33:05 per game
Only Syracuse and UTSA run more plays per game than Arkansas, and the hogs control the ball as well and anyone in the SEC. You can do that when you’re the best in the league at picking up third downs. The rushing offense and passing offense both making the SEC’s Top 5 is impressive for Bobby Petrino in his first year back at Arkansas.
However, the scoring offense hasn’t been elite, and that includes a 70-0 beatdown of Arkansas Pine-Bluff in the opener. UAB was a clunky offensive effort for the most part, and the Hogs are only averaging 20 points per game in three league contests.
Pass protection has been a bit of an issue, and they aren’t converting enough red zone chances. But last season was a nightmare on offense that triggered a mid-season firing of first-year coordinator Dan Enos. Petrino has created an identity.
Arkansas Defense:
Scoring Defense: 9th 19.2 points per game
Total Defense: 9th 321 yards per game
Rushing Defense: 5th 106.5 yards per game
Yards Per Carry Allowed: 9th 3.5
Passing Defense: 11th 215 yards per game
Opponent Third Down Conversions: 9th 33.3%
Sacks: 7th 2.3 per game
Tackles for Loss: 15th 5 per game
Opponent Plays of 20+: 5th 3.2 per game
Opponent Runs for 10+: 1st 2.3 per game
Opponent Passes of 20+: 6th 3.9 per game
Opponent Red Zone Touchdowns Percentage: 13th 56%
From afar, it feels like Arkansas has played great defense. Tennessee and Auburn only scored 14. A&M scored 21. Sure, Oklahoma State scored 39, but 31 of that was in regulation and was aided by a brutal muffed punt. The Hogs held star Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II to 49 yards on 17 carries.
The red zone percentage isn’t great, and they aren’t forcing enough negative plays with sacks and tackles for loss.
Bu they aren’t giving up huge plays, and the scoring defense has been rock solid in league games. That said, the last three Arkansas opponents have started redshirt freshman quarterbacks. Garrett Nussmeier is a more veteran presence.
