NFL
By: Randall Slifer
The Arkansas Razorbacks had a rough outing against the Georgia Bulldogs last Saturday. But it was expected. The Georgia Bulldogs are a better team than they were last year, and they are eyeing a National Championship. The Razorbacks are 1-2, and they are looking to go 2-2 this Saturday. Anyone with a logistical brain predicting the first four weeks of the Arkansas Razorbacks would land on 2-2. So are they on schedule?
Unfortunately, no. As in my previous article, the goal against Georgia was to look like an actual football team. The Arkansas Razorbacks did look like a football team, but not a great one. Tulsa heads to Fayetteville this Saturday night, and it is an even matchup with the possibility of an Arkansas win. Let’s dive into how this team can grow and how they can take down Tulsa:
Can Arkansas’ offensive line handle Tulsa’s defensive line?
The Arkansas Razorbacks’ offensive line has been one of the team’s weaker points. Their pass protection is decent, but their run blocking is not. KJ Jackson and AJ Hill aren’t great passers, and they cannot survive without a strong running game. This isn’t all on the offensive line, as the running backs have had poor vision behind it, and both Russell and Smith aren’t breaking enough tackles.
The Tulsa Golden Hurricanes run a 4-2-5 defense, and their defensive line isn’t the biggest. Let’s size up Arkansas’ offensive line vs. Tulsa’s defensive line:
Right DE Thomas Davis – 6’2 235lb vs LT Kavion Broussard – 6’6 312lb
Right DT Tai Newhouse – 6’3 320lb vs LG Malachi Breland – 6’5 334lb
MLB Devin Hightower – 6’1 230lb vs C Caden Kitler – 6’3 303lb
Left DT Arias Nash – 6’2 275lb vs RG Kobe Branham – 6’5 336lb
Left DE Kyran Duhon – 6’2 265lb vs RT Bryant Williams – 6’7 335lb
The size advantage is clear when opening up gaps in the run game. In the first three weeks of the season, ball carriers rarely found a lane in the interior. This size advantage could change that. If the offensive line can help the running game, it will be easier on KJ Jackson in the passing game.
Can the defense keep getting better?
The defensive line has steadily improved week over week. In the first two weeks (against far less competitive teams), the defense only produced 14 pressures and 1 sack. In week 3 against Georgia, the defense racked up 16 pressures and 3 sacks. They are winning the traditional rushing four, and they brought down linebackers and DBs to pressure Georgia. I believe this continues against Tulsa.
Tulsa’s offensive line has held up. In 3 weeks, they’ve allowed only 18 pressures, 2 sacks, and 3 QB hits. This will be their biggest test of the year, because they haven’t faced a more talented player than Quincy Rhodes Jr. I expect Quincy Rhodes Jr. to get hot against Tulsa and record multiple sacks, which will force Tulsa to account for him every play. This will open up other spots for Steven Soles, Charlie Collins, and others to get to the quarterback.
Speaking of Tulsa Quarterbacks, their starting quarterback, Baylor Hayes, is doubtful for the game against Arkansas this weekend. If Baylor Hayes isn’t healthy enough to play, Dexter Williams will get the start. Dexter Williams has been in the league for 7 years and at 5 different schools.
Tulsa head coach Tre Lamb said they did not want Dexter Williams to run the ball last week because they feared having to use their 3rd quarterback. He also stated that they want Dexter Williams to use his legs against Arkansas. Gunnar Stockton demolished Arkansas with his legs. Georgia went 7/11 on 3rd downs, and Stockton’s rushing was a big reason why. He ran for 120 yards and 4 first downs.
Arkansas’ linebackers are the defense’s weak spot. They will need to spy Dexter Williams while still playing their roles on defense. Bradley Shaw returned from the Pittman era to the Silverfield era. He needs to be the veteran in the middle to keep the defense on the same page. His coverage is below average, but he can play the line of scrimmage well. Between the nickel defender and Bradley Shaw, they need to limit Dexter Williams’ rushing yards while covering short passes to limit yards after the catch.
The Arkansas Razorbacks will need to play a balanced game against Tulsa. Tre Lamb and Ryan Silverfield share similar philosophies: get the game to a close in the 4th quarter, then finish it out tough and strong for the win. The big difference is that Tre Lamb has already established his culture and process in Tulsa, while Silverfield is still establishing his in Arkansas.
What does a win against Tulsa mean for the Arkansas Razorbacks? It will show that the team is growing as the schedule develops, and that Ryan Silverfield can will a team to win during bleak times. 2-2 is the expectation after two weeks, and maybe a win against an SEC team (Vanderbilt or Auburn) will show that Silverfield can change this program. Let’s be clear: A win against Tulsa is a win for Silverfield, not for Hunter Yurachek.
The Arkansas Razorbacks face the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes this Saturday night at 7:00 CDT. Arkansas is favored by 7.5 points, mainly because Tulsa may lose its starting quarterback. The heat has subsided, so it should be a fair-weather night game, which is exciting for Arkansas fans. I hope Arkansas fans fill the stadium this Saturday to show support for Silverfield and watch a potential home win. If anything, 5-star BASKETBALL prospect Beckham Black (Anthony Black’s younger brother) will be visiting Fayetteville this weekend, and I assume he will attend the game. Make sure he gets a warm welcome, because he would be electric with Coach Cal. As always, go Hogs.
