Texas A&M Football: 3 bold predictions for SEC opener vs. Arkansas
By Zach Bigalke
3. Two rarely-penalized teams will see more yellow flags than usual
Arkansas and Texas A&M have been among the least penalized teams in the country through the first three weeks of the season. The Aggies average four penalties per outing, while the Razorbacks have been even more disciplined at only 3.5 penalties per game. Both teams concede fewer than 35 penalty yards per game.
As a result, both Arkansas and Texas A&M are ranked in the top 15 nationally in both categories. That will all change on Saturday, though, as two heated rivals face off at AT&T Stadium. Last year these two teams combined for 14 penalties and 117 penalty yards. This year, the situation might be similar as the Razorbacks and Aggies square off in a rivalry spanning multiple conferences.
Related Story: Texas A&M Football: Game preview and prediction vs. Arkansas
Kevin Sumlin and Bret Bielema are going to have some serious film review to do with the team after this contest. Look for each team to see twice as many penalty flags as they are averaging at this point of the season. There might even be an ejection when the bad blood between these two schools bubbles to the surface.
There will be at least 15 total penalty flags on Saturday night as the officiating crew does its due diligence. Keeping things in order will be difficult, and both teams will suffer as a result of stunted drives and lost field position.