Week One is behind us, and even though one might have an attitude of, “Well, it was just Eastern Illinois,” Razorback fans have seen a glimmer of hope.
And while the remainder of the full season may prove difficult to maintain the growing expectations, Saturday’s contest at Colorado State may assist our understanding of where this Arkansas football team can possibly finish.
In the game against EIU, the defense was aggressive and appeared to progress as the game went along, at least until the game was under control.
Unfortunately, Eastern Illinois exposed some weaknesses in the Razorbacks’ defense (in particular the secondary) which SEC teams will better fully exploit unless defensive coordinator John Chavis can find a way to fix the holes.
Five forced and recovered fumbles were shining points for the defense which seemed to have a nose and hunger for the ball, and the attempts to jar the ball loose from the opponent appear to be a mixture of talent as well as a coaching technique.
Calculate in that one of turnovers served as a defensive touchdown, then this unit has quickly built the footwork from which to build.
On the offensive side of the ball, the second and third drives looked stagnant. Enter Ty Storey, and then something magnificent happened.
Not to say Cole Kelley did not impress, however, Storey seemed to have great command of the offense. He checked down very well, looked agile on runs, and had an impressive stiff-arm. In summary, HE LOOKED COMFORTABLE.
Twitter seemed to follow suit on Storey as well:
That’s how you quietly wait your turn & when the opportunity presents itself take the MFin bull by the horns .. Well done Ty Storey well done!! #ARKvsEIU #CFB #WPS
— Clint Stoerner (@ClintStoerner) September 1, 2018
The offense is never without opportunities of improvement, and the offensive line needs to afford the quarterback more time.
It also needs better run blocking to increase rushing yardage which will keep Colorado State from teeing off on the Arkansas quarterback … or quarterbacks. The blocking by the wide receiver corps may prove fruitful in this game away from Razorback Stadium.
Speaking of being on the road, the Hogs have had a dismal winning percentage on the road. All aspirations are that new head coach Chad Morris & Co. can end that trend which nags more on fans than the wife to a husband who wants her family to move back home from the plains.
Lastly, special teams will play a huge role in this game. Not only will field position be key (as it always is), but we will see if Conner Limpert can continue to kick it true.
While we want our place kicker to keep up his great technique, more to the middle of the uprights would do our diastolic and systolic good this game, Mr. Limpert.
In summary, the Rams prove a tougher test than did the EIU Panthers this past weekend. Granted, Colorado State is 0–2, yet they did compete with a decent team out of Hawaii back in late August.
Their second loss came to their in-state foes, the Colorado Buffaloes. Arkansas must focus on still being a season-long underdog and [forgive me for the cliché] take no one for granted.
I do not feel the Hogs will be complacent, and the entire team will capitalize on their momentum. Arkansas, 34–17.
In keeping with the spirit of our contest, and fully aware that Andy Hodges is no slouch (since he dominated me with his 12–1 to my 10–3 Week One picks), I will now uncork the rest of the SEC in its second week of contests.
Upon reflection, I should have been even more of a conference homer last week than I had originally thought.
- (18) Mississippi State at Kansas State – MSU by 12
- Nevada at Vanderbilt – Vandy by 3
- Arkansas State at (1) Alabama – ASU… (Wait, I’m not that much of a homer) Alabama by 35
- (3) Georgia at (24) South Carolina – Bulldogs by 24
- Southern Illinois at Ole Miss – Rebels by 22
- ETSU at Tennessee – Vols by 28
- (2) Clemson at Texas A&M – Clemson by a close 14
- SE Louisiana at (11) LSU – Tigers by 38
- Wyoming at Missouri – Tigers by 10
- Alabama State at (7) Auburn – War Eagles by 34
- Arkansas at Colorado State – HOGS by 17
- Kentucky at (25) Florida – Gators by 20
That’s it – no “Upset Alert” this week. Go HOGS!!!
