Texas Pass vs. Arkansas Pass Defense
Edge: Texas
When you
think of Texas' offense, the name that immediately comes to
mind is Roy Williams. He's big and strong, an all-around athletic
marvel. But he, along with his fellow receivers, compliment
each other well enough to give Texas a better overall corps
than most any other team. The Horns boast, perhaps, the most
dynamic receiving corps in the south. Last week they were
non-existent, but playing this relatively undersized defense
could result in big things Saturday.
Mack Brown
acknowledged that the two best players on the Arkansas defense
are their cornerbacks (Richardson and Carroll). The tape measurer
will tell you that Texas has a distinct height advantage over
this Hog pass defense - none of the Arkansas starters stands
taller than 5'11", and none of the Texan pass-catchers
are less than 6'1". You do the math.
I think
Texas will reaffirm their capabilities throwing the ball.
Chance Mock (and when he gets his turn, Vince Young) will
exploit this secondary, utilizing his lofty receivers to garner
big gains and rack up multiple scores via the air mode. UT
only threw the ball 16 times (completing 8) against NMSU,
but found the endzone once every four throws. That shows you
they can easily put it in the endzone via the pass when necessary.
Arkansas may be quick on defense, but as long as UT's offensive
line gives Mock ample time, it will be a long afternoon for
the Hogs. Arkansas can only hope to blitz/rush Mock and force
him into making throws he shouldn't, which I don't see happening.
Even when flustered, Mock does a great job of taking care
of the pigskin.
Arkansas Pass vs. Texas Pass Defense
Edge: Texas
The Razorbacks
were efficient throwing the football a week ago- but come
on, the opponent was Tulsa! Both Matt Jones and Ryan Sorahan
were on, going 11 for 19 for 188 yards, 2 TDs and no INTs.
Neither really made any mistakes, and both showed a lot of
good tools - but still, against Tulsa. The Hogs do have the
luxury of a solid offensive line (as well as a mobile QB in
Jones) to protect against the fierce Texas pass rush. But
will that even matter?
Texas'
pass defense is absolutely stifling. They limited New Mexico
State to just 75 yards through the air and picked off three
passes, returning two for scores. It all starts with the play
of their linebackers - they are tough, quick, and very football-intuitive.
They make the play before others have a chance to see it.
The secondary is suffocating on the outside and dangerously
destructive over the middle. Heightening the strengths of
these two units is the strenuous pass rush created by the
stags up front.
Arkansas
is not a predominant passing team. They will try the occasional
deep sideline throw to stretch this secondary and keep the
safeties at a secure distance, which should open up the intermediate
pass routes. Texas, though, won't be fooled, and I expect
the 'Horns to rake in a few errant throws, giving their offense
solid field position. If you're Arkansas, you better focus
hard on running.
Texas Run vs. Arkansas Run Defense
Edge: Texas
Texas
did not do a good job of running the football in their first
game. Cedric Benson finished with just 40 yards on 12 carries
and was slow to hit what few holes opened up for him. The
offensive big men must do a better job of pushing the line
forward and maintaining their blocks. They allowed defenders
to cross them up way too easily in week one and will be in
for a load of problems if it happens against Arkansas. Look
for Greg Davis to give the ball to Benson at least 20 times
to see what he can do against a bigger, quicker, opposing
defense.
Arkansas,
as good as they are tagged to be defensively, did not do a
good job of stopping the run last week. Tulsa averaged 5.5
yards per carry and that was with an inferior offensive front
and average running backs. They face two backs in burnt orange
that can punish a defense both statistically and physically.
This is
the game we see Cedric Benson get back to where he started.
Texas's passing game will produce the success needed to open
up that defense and lead the way for the running game. The
O-line, as well as Benson, has been challenged both internally
and externally all week to rise to the occasion. I bet we're
gonna see a fiery Cedric Benson come out and rush for 120+
yards complimented by a couple scores. We can also expect
a reverse or two to capitalize on the speed and aggression
of this defense and eventual over pursuit. This game will
put the UT running attack right where they belong.
Arkansas Run vs. Texas Run Defense
Edge: Texas
Mack Brown
seems a bit worried about this area of the game, and with
good reason. Arkansas ran roughshod over the Tulsa defense,
tallying over eight yards per carry. An amazing stat when
you consider the Hogs carried the ball 37 times and do not
have a threatening pass game. They have a couple of backs
(Cobbs and Howard) who are quick to the line of scrimmage
and run behind one of the best O-line units in the SEC. They
also like to mix in the option to keep defenses honest, and
have proven to be quite successful in doing so.
Practices
at UT have focused primarily on stopping this facet of the
offense. UT's run defenders were broken down at times by NMSU's
mobile QBs and their quick backs that run north-south. The
Horns will be facing a lot of meat and strength along the
front line and will need to be sturdy in the trenches.
What we'll
see is the UT defense applying pressure in run-blitzes and
shooting the gaps to try and beat the UA backs to the spot.
They have the athletes to do so, but tackling and breaking
down the point of attack will be vital. Arkansas' run game
is good, but Texas has had two weeks to prepare for this one,
so they should be ready for whatever the Hogs throw at them.
Cobbs and company will find it rough getting anything going
on the ground, putting the offense in the dangerous position
of having to throw.
Special Teams
Edge: Texas
Texas
had as good a game on special teams as any. They were perfect
on field goals/PATs, punted the ball respectably, blocked
a field goal, and returned two kicks for touchdowns. You can
bet Houston Nutt will be kicking the ball away from Selvin
Young this week, but in doing so, he may just uncover yet
another special teams gem wearing the 'Horns logo on his lid.
Arkansas' special teams units were pretty shaky and have been
worked on a lot this week. The good news is that they should
get their regular placekicker, David Carlton, back from injury.
Final Thoughts
It's good
to see this rivalry renewed - at least for the next two years,
anyway. These former SWC powers carry a lot of pride and tradition
into their respective programs and share mutual respect for
what the other has done for football in their region. But
that respect will be put on hold for 60 minutes come Saturday
morning. That's right, I said morning. The game will start
at noon EST (morning for the other time zones), to accommodate
a (split) national television audience. This could pose a
bit of a problem for the visiting Razorbacks. Playing early
occasionally begins the tale of a blowout, and that's what
I see happening at Darrel Royal Memorial Stadium.
Simply
said, Texas has far too many weapons. They throw the ball
as they run, well. But more importantly, they prevent others
from doing so. I think Texas' run-defense will step up early
and shut down that Arkansas ground strike. They have the speed
and tackling ability to move eight in the box and bring a
safety or even a corner to seal the edge, allowing the 'backers
and ends to focus on the middle of the field. This makes it
hard for an offensive line to open inside holes wide enough
for a back to accelerate through at full speed and get upfield.
Throwing the ball will not be an option either. This defense
is far too good to allow Arkansas to pose any threat through
the air.
Offensively,
I like Mock to throw for 200+ yards and a few scores to Williams
and TEs Scaife and David Thomas. This will maintain safe running
lanes for Benson and Young, kindled by a more headstrong offensive
line. I think this offense will run up over 400+ yards in
total offense and, again, put a lot of points on the board.
Mack Brown has made his crew very weary of the talent on this
Razorbacks team. Brown will have his troops ready for battle.
The 'Horns win big and plant themselves in the company of
serious title contenders.
Chappy's Prediction: Texas 52, Arkansas 14
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