Week 4: "Rivalry Week" Arkansas vs. Texas A&M

Arkansas (3-0) vs. Texas A&M (3-0)

Notes:

Since 2011, Texas A&M has won four of the last five games by an average margin of victory of 18.5 points per game. Arkansas last won in 2011 by a score of 42-38.

Arkansas:

The Razorbacks are averaging 34 points per game and love to run the football between the tackles with their “heavy” offensive line. The offense is averaging 170 yards on the ground and is passing for 218 yards through the air this season.

Arkansas is coming off of an impressive road victory two weeks ago to TCU in Fort Wort and will look to run the football consistently to open up the play action passing attack with quarterback Austin Allen.

Running back Rawleight Williams III leads the team with 354 yards averaging 4.9 yards per carry wit 3 touchdowns.

Quarterback Austin Allen has shown composure in taking over for his brother (Brandon) and has completed 67% of his passes for 655 yards with 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Allen is a tough quarterback that stays in the pocket in making throws and has a strong arm that can stretch defenses. Allen’s success will be dependent on the running game and how successful the team is on first and second downs. If the offense struggles in running the football consistently that can put pressure on Allen to make throws on third down and long situations.

On the season, the offense is converting 37% on their third down attempts. The offense has struggled when they become one dimensional and are put out of their comfort zone.

Defensively, the Razorbacks are allowing 20 points per game and are very good in stopping the run. On the year, the unit is giving up  98 rushing yards per game and is yielding 224 passing yards to opposing offenses.

Through the first three games, the defense has recorded 10 sacks and will look to get pressure on quarterback Trevor Knight in this match-up. The defense has been poor on third downs and is allowing 45% on third down situations. The defense must contain Knight in the pocket and not allow big plays over the top of their secondary to the Aggies speedy wide receivers.

Arkansas enters this game +1 in turnover margin.

 

Texas A&M:

The Aggies are averaging 42 points per game and are coming off of a 29-16 victory on the Plains in Auburn. The Aggies have a very balanced offense that is rushing for 237 yards per game and passing for 293 yards through the air this season. Quarterback Trevor Knight has shown confidence in the system and has completed 52% of his passes for 830 yards with 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Knight has been able to play within the system and distribute the ball to the Aggies play makers. He has shown solid decision making skills and has show maturity in his first three games of the year. Knight is a mobile quarterback that has made plays outside the pocket and has taken the pressure off of the offensive line. On the season, Knight has rushed for 151 yards with 3 touchdowns while the offensive line has allowed a total of 3 sacks through the first three games.

Running back Trayveon Williams has emerged as a big play running back that has the burst to take it to the house very time he touches the rock. Williams leads the team with 236 yards with one touchdown. Keith Ford is the tough, bruising between the tackles runner that has rushed for 155 yards with 3 touchdowns.

Texas A&M will look to attack the secondary of Arkansas in this game and will look to put the pressure on Arkansas offense to play catch up. Wide receivers Josh Reynolds and  Christian Kirk have combined for 31 receptions for 415 yards with 4 touchdowns. Texas A&M will look to utilize their play makers on one on one match-ups across the middle of the field on dig routes to loosen up the Arkansas front seven.

Texas A&M is converting 30% on third downs and must do a better job in this game to get the win. Texas A&M will look to run sideline to sideline to wear down the Arkansas defense and cannot afford to get into one dimensional situations that will put pressure on their offensive line.

Defensively, the Aggies have allowed 13 points  per game and have been solid in run support giving up 131 rushing yards to opposing offenses. Texas A&M is allowing 226 passing yards per game and has forced teams into third down and long situations which has been an advantage for defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chavis has utilized many different looks and schemes early on and his unit has forced teams to convert 30% on third down attempts this year.

The front seven has recorded 12 sacks in the first three games with defensive end Myles Garrett leading the team with 3 sacks. Texas A&M is +1 in turnover margin and must force turnovers against Austin Allen and the Razorbacks offense this coming Saturday.