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The keys to the Texas Longhorns’ victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks

Umito November 15, 2024

Building on the fact that he has already led his team to a winning season so far, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman could be more focused on the keys to the game than on its own players in order to prove that it belongs in the driver’s seat after a few devastating years. Pittman had the third-worst offense in expected points added per play in 2023, finishing dead last in the conference with a 1-7 record and 4-8 overall.

But preseason interviews showed Pittman had some preliminary excitement about the versatility of both players. offensive And defensive lines, with fall training camp being a major source of physical progress now emphasized.

Pittman has made an effort to return to a solid offensive lineup with the use of the transfer portal, marking the No. 15 recruiting class in the SEC, according to On3. It introduced a young and exciting quarterback with Taylen Green Jr. from Boise State in addition to a running back with veteran experience from Georgia in Xavian Sorey, both of whom have already made significant strides in reinventing the Razorbacks.

Arkansas has the No. 11 toughest schedule in all of college football, decided by the CFN, which also predicts Texas will be the Hogs’ toughest challenge yet. The past has generally favored Razorbacks vs. Longhornstheir last matchup having been a blowout in Fayetteville when Arkansas was trailing to a 9-4 season in 2021. But now, with Sarkisian comfortably in his fourth season, taking Texas to third place in the latest AP poll, the Texas seems to have the upper hand.

Texas shouldn’t let the past disrupt its present, especially not with an intimidating team of offensive leaders and a stacked defense alongside it. A road win over Arkansas would put to rest the hype about this game being a rivalry, but the Hogs won’t go down without a fight in front of their own home crowd. Here’s what it takes for the Longhorns to come away with a victory this Saturday.

The Longhorns put pressure on the quarterback and slowed down the Razorbacks rushing game early. Transfer quarterback Taylen Green, Jr. is slight and has an arm that is averaging nearly 250 passing yards per game this season. He currently ranks second on the team in rushing yards with five rushing touchdowns.

Jamming him with the ball and getting sacks could be an easy route for Texas, and between Green and more recently backup quarterback Malachi Singleton, Arkansas was sacked 25 times for a loss of 161 yards. The Razorbacks’ offensive line will surely be vigilant in protecting Green from Texas defenders such as second-year linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., who leads the Longhorns in sacks.

It offers the best performance of the program. There’s still quite a bit of adjustment to be made on both sides of the ball for the Razorbacks, but their main focus should be picking up yards on offense, especially if they can capitalize on the penalties Texas has been famous for in recent times. weeks.

Arkansas returned senior receiver Andrew Armstrong, the only player to rush for more than 400 yards last season and who already has 857 receiving yards this year. Green may be tired of incorporating deep passes, but still knows how to get the job done, averaging a completion percentage of 61.2 percent. Armstrong and Green could make a scary duo if they can make something happen, and having a home-court advantage should only increase their confidence.

Another home win against Texas isn’t completely off the table, but it will take all hands on deck for Pittman and the Hogs to get past a superb Longhorn defense and a hungry offense.