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Revelation number one (although not really a new one): The Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0, 0-0) have a budding superstar at running back. Freshman Alex Collins had 115 yards on 25 attempts against Southern Miss (0-3, 0-0) last week. The Florida native became the first freshman in SEC history to top the 100-yard mark in his first three games and the first player overall since Oklahoma‘s Adrian Peterson in 2004. No wonder it was such a big deal this February when his mother tried to refuse to allow him to attend Arkansas. Unfortunately for every other team in college football, the Hogs have him for at least two more seasons after this.
In a game during which Arkansas never trailed, the rushing attack led the charge, as the Razorbacks only completed six passes for 69 yards. In the absence of their starting quarterback, who left with an injury, the Hogs’ running backs and offensive line took over and rolled up 258 yards on the ground, which was more than enough to overpower the Golden Eagles.
What to look for in Week 4: How effective will QB Brandon Allen be? He suffered a game-ending shoulder injury last week in the first quarter. Will the injury affect his play at Rutgers (2-1, 0-0)? The Hogs desperately need to win this game and complete the non-conference schedule without a blemish on their record, because the going gets extremely tough after that. Five of Arkansas’ next six games are against teams currently ranked, and three of those are on the road. If the Razorbacks are to have any sliver of hope in reaching a bowl game, they’ll need to beat the Scarlet Knights, because it’s very hard to find two, much less three, more wins on the schedule after Week 4.
Scott Page is a college football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, Like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
