Aggies looking to avoid being upset by Arkansas in Southwest Classic
Maybe it’s because of a rash of recent upsets — Old Dominion over Virginia Tech comes to comes to mind — but Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher seems to be high on the Hogs.
Fisher practically gushed in his recent evaluation of the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Aggies (2-2) face Arkansas on Saturday at 11 a.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. A&M is riding a six-game winning streak in the series. Of course, that means nothing to Fisher, who’s in his first year as A&M’s coach.
“Arkansas is playing very well right now,” Fisher said. “As far as defense (they) give they up 225 yards to Auburn. That’s all (Auburn) had. Auburn scored on turnovers and special teams mistakes. They blocked a punt, had two punt returns, had a fumble and an interception. That’s how Auburn got all their points. (Arkansas) only gave up 225 yards of offense for the whole game. That’s outstanding.”
Excuse the expression, but that’s like putting lipstick on a pig. Arkansas (1-3) is struggling mightily in its first season under coach Chad Morris.
True, the Razorbacks only allowed 225 yards to Auburn, but they still lost 34-3. And the turnovers and special teams gaffes appear more responsible for Auburn’s modest offensive production than the Arkansas defense.
Further, the Razorbacks are ranked 102nd in the nation in pass defense after allowing 230 passing yards to Eastern Illinois, 389 in a loss to Colorado State and 281 in a stunning 44-17 loss to North Texas.
That doesn’t bode well when facing Texas A&M, which is averaging 299 passing yards despite facing Clemson and Alabama. Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond passed for 430 yards against Clemson and a respectable 196 against Alabama.
Meanwhile, A&M has five receivers with at least 11 catches and 151 receiving yards. Fisher seems to suggest the Aggies offense must have a productive outing just to keep up with the Razorbacks.
“Offensively, they’re moving the football,” he said. “They had a couple of turnovers, but they’ve got skill guys that are moving it.”
The Razorbacks did get a boost against Auburn from former A&M running back Rakeem Boyd, who rushed for 66 yards on eight carries.
“I would think in his mind he wants to come out and have a good game,” said junior cornerback Charles Oliver, who had a close relationship with Boyd when they were teammates. “It’s our job to stop him and give him nothing.”
Actually, with the exception of one play, Boyd didn’t get much against Auburn. He had a 45-yard run and little else.
Starting running back Devwah Whaley, who is expecting to be sidelined with a concussion, also had a 16-yard run. Subtract those two plays and Arkansas averaged fewer than 2.5 yards per rushing attempt against Auburn.
Arkansas quarterback Ty Storey, who lost his starting job to Cole Kelley and then regained it, completed just 13 of 31 attempts against Auburn.
The Hogs passing game has produced just 459 yards in three games against FBS competition. Also, Arkansas has managed just two touchdowns in its last nine quarters.
But Fisher is right to be cautious.
The Aggies don’t want to be this week’s version of Virginia Tech.