Former Arkansas QB Clint Stoerner previews the Southwest Classic

Key notes from Clint Stoerner interview

• If Arkansas does have a rivalry, it would be A&M. LSU was the big game when I was playing. It was always a toss-up every year, regardless of rankings. It was always a battle. Now that’s A&M. Recently, A&M has been the better football team, but Arkansas has always played good football games. I don’t know why that is. They haven’t been able to win, but they’ve played the Aggies better than people have expected them to. You never know what to expect when these two come together.
   
• It’s not good in Fayetteville. Bielema left a bare cupboard. Morris probably had more talent at SMU when he left than he does right now at Arkansas. He’s done an excellent job of flipping the team over, but it’s a gradual program. The playmakers they’re leaning on are either transfers or true freshman. Last week was arguably the worst loss in program history. I think everybody failed them on that day. This week is a big rebound game.
   
• I watched Starkel when I was with the SEC Network. He looks good when he walks in the door and, he can rip it, but there’s a consistency issue forcing the ball down the field. That has ended many a career. He’s got to be coached better and be put in better situations. With Nick Starkel, sometimes you can’t put him in a position to make some of those throws. He needs to be eased into it. They’ve done a poor job of that and developing him. It’s do or die for him now.
   
• Arkansas is a different monster. It’s a place where on both sides of the football, you have to be exotic. Defensively, it’s about the front seven. To do what Chavis wants to do upfront, you have to have big guys upfront. The state of Arkansas does not produce those kinds of prospects. The depth on defense is as bad as it has ever been.
   
• I think Boyd is a top running back in this league. He’s a Sunday guy. I can’t say he’s a lock to be a three or four back in this league, but he’s special. He takes an absolute beating because his offensive line is not very good. This guy gets hit from all different directions. His burst and his ability to take it the distance is rare. A&M had one of those last year with Trayveon Williams. Boyd is going to make some money.
   
• A&M fans should be very confident in Jimbo Fisher. I’m not a big Jimbo Fisher fan. He’s a phenomenal coach. I don’t dislike the guy, but I’ve never bought into the hype. I still think he’s the guy for Texas A&M. When Texas fell off ten years ago, you felt that somebody had to pick up the baton and run with it. Baylor and TCU did some things. A&M had some guys, but they could never get the talent on the field right. Jimbo Fisher is that guy. He’s a great coach and a big-time recruiter. I know, on paper, he’s going to stack up against anybody in the country. A&M got the right guy. There is no doubt about it.
   
• If A&M turns the ball over two or three times and Arkansas protects the ball, they could pull an upset late. Nick Starkel can spin it. It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a three-point game late and Arkansas has a chance to win it, or A&M will blow them out. Starkel cannot turn it over.
   
• From a quarterback perspective, I love what Dak brought to the table. I think Kellen Moore is going to use him the right way. They are going to be a Super Bowl contender. That said, there is not a better quarterback than Deshaun Watson right now. Mahomes gets all of the love, but Watson is that good. The Texans aren’t there yet, but when it’s all said and done, Deshaun Watson might go down as one of the best ever.