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Texas A&M vs Arkansas Preview: 3 key matchups in SEC West showdown

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Sep 27, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin smiles after defeating the Arkansas Razorbacks in overtime at AT&T Stadium. The Aggies beat the Razorbacks 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

Texas A&M opened the season with one of the most impressive victories of the year – a 38-17 win over No. 15 Arizona State in Houston, which displayed the same explosive offense, but a new-look, big-play defense under the direction of new defensive coordinator John Chavis.

With the win over the Sun Devils, Sumlin has now won the five neutral site matchups the Aggies have played with him as the head coach. Texas A&M has also won the last three meetings against the Razorbacks since joining the SEC. 

For those streaks to continue, and for the Aggies to improve to 4-0 this year and 1-0 in SEC play, they will need another strong performance by the offense, including big plays from the talented receiving corps, as well as continued improvement from a defensive unit that has feasted on quarterback this season. If the Razorbacks continue to rely on the passing attack instead of the team’s more traditional, hard-nosed rushing attack, it will play right into the hands of the A&M game plan.

Arkansas has not won an SEC opener since 2010. For the Razorbacks to end that streak (not to mention the two-game losing streak the team is on overall), the Hogs need to run the football early and often to create manageable third down opportunities. Similarly on defense, the Razorbacks need to get off the field on third down. So far this season, Arkansas has allowed opponents to convert more than 50 percent of third down opportunities. That means the Arkansas defense must win on first and second downs to create tougher to convert third-and-long plays. Doing so will make the Aggies more one-dimensional, and will give Arkansas defenders a better chance for success.

With three weeks of non-conference games behind them, it really doesn’t matter that Texas A&M is 3-0 and Arkansas is 1-2. This is a game that either team can win, and therefore, either team will be an all-important 1-0 in conference play with seven games to go before the SEC West is decided. That said, A&M looks like a more complete team, and should earn the victory.

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