Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
On paper, the upcoming matchup pitting coach Kevin Sumlin‘s No. 10 Texas A&M against the Arkansas Razorbacks appears to be an evenly matched SEC battle. Both teams come in with a record of 3-1 with this contest being the first SEC contest for the Razorbacks. The Aggies’ lone loss came against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide-a game in which QB Johnny Manziel showed true grit in almost willing his team to a victory.
The Razorbacks are coming off a loss to the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in which they relinquished a 24-7 lead late in the third quarter in route to a 28-24 loss.
The team gave up 346 passing yards and three touchdowns to QB Gary Nova in that game and their entire offense was put on ice in the fourth quarter. Such an effort against the Aggies this season will surely result in an embarrassing loss similar to the 58-10 thrashing the Razorbacks suffered in College Station last season.
Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema will start QB A.J. Derby against TAMU while incumbent Brandon Allen recovers from a shoulder injury.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Texas A&M has one of the most high-powered offenses in all of college football with Heisman Trophy winner Manziel at the helm. However, Manziel didn’t put up his usual gaudy numbers in the Aggies’ 42-13 undressing of the SMU Mustangs last week, but will likely return to form against the Razorbacks.
The only chance Arkansas has of winning is to run, run and run some more against the Aggies’ irritatingly supple defensive front and linebackers.
The need to eat up the clock and keep Johnny Football and crew on the sidelines is paramount. But Arkansas defense isn’t exactly what I would call stout either, and if they couldn’t stop Rutgers from scoring — as underrated as the Scarlet Knights might be — there is simply no way fathomable they’re going to stop the Aggies. Texas A&M should win by at least three touchdowns.
Ricardo Hazell is a freelance writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @NikosMightyDad or add him to your network on Google.
