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SEC Predictions Week 2: Picking Games Against the Spread

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Sep 5, 2015; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) points to UTEP Miners defensive back Michael Lewis (39) during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks defeat the Miners 48-13. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

  • Date: Saturday September 12, 2014
  • Time: 4PM Eastern
  • Location: Fayetteville, AR
  • TV Channel: SEC Network+
  • Spread: Arkansas -22
  • Over/Under Total: 54

So, after talking about the hard-nosed, ground-it-out, smash mouth Arkansas offense all off-season, it’s only natural that the Razorbacks would open the season throwing the football.

Quarterback Brandon Allen, who entered the season as the SEC’s most experienced signal caller, was 14-for-18 for 308 yards and tossed four touchdowns without an interception in the 48-13 victory over UTEP. Simply, the senior was fantastic. The Hogs also got 127 rushing yards and a touchdown on only 12 carries from Alex Collins before resting the star running back for the majority of the second half.

While the Arkansas offense was exciting to watch, the defense was nearly as dominant as the unit that shut out both LSU and Ole Miss last season. UTEP managed just 204 total yards – including just 58 rushing yards on 34 carries for a tiny average of 1.7 yards per attempt – and the Razorbacks tallied 11 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and won the turnover battle 3-0.

This week’s opponent, Toledo, is a better football team than UTEP, and they should offer a slightly more difficult challenge Saturday. One of the favorites in the MAC this season, the Rockets have yet to take the field in 2015 because their Thursday night season opener against FCS opponent Stony Brook was cancelled due to severe weather. A balanced offense that gained 256 rushing yards and 234 passing yards per game in 2014, Toledo will need to be creative because leading rusher Kareem Hunt was suspended for the first two games of the season.

Expect another strong performance from the Hogs, and a cover.

Next: Oklahoma at Tennessee

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