There are times when pure numbers don’t tell the true story. On the surface, it looked like Arkansas’ run defense was really good last year. They only gave up 116.5 yards per game, second only to Alabama in the SEC and 12th in the country.

Don’t take that wrong. They were good at stopping the run, but opponents also didn’t worry about that a whole lot because they knew they could pass at will against the Razorbacks whenever they wanted. Despite the lofty numbers and a formidable offense, Arkansas finished just 8-5.

The Razorbacks allowed 3.76 yards per carry, which is down from those 2nd/12th rankings. That ranked fifth in the SEC and 31st overall in the nation. That’s still darn good, and it might even be better in 2016.

Here’s a look at the Arkansas run defense:

2015 stats

Rushing yards allowed per game: 116.5 (2nd in SEC, 12th in the nation)
Most rushing yards allowed in 2015: 222 (Ole Miss, Nov. 7)
Rushing TDs allowed: 25 (13th in SEC)
100-yard rushers allowed: 2, Peyton Barber (Auburn) and Chad Kelly (Ole Miss)

Front seven

The Razorbacks are traditionally found in a 4-3 set, but that changed a lot in 2015 for a variety of reasons. The two biggest were that they struggled to identify a third linebacker for much of the year. Brooks Ellis was great in the middle and then-freshman Dre Greenlaw had a great year, but that was it.

There were also such major concerns with the pass defense that the Razorbacks often played with just two linebackers and five defensive backs. It didn’t help much because the Razorbacks were horrible against the pass, finishing among the worse in the nation.

There are some nice players in this group. Ellis is a smart middle linebacker and Greenlaw flies all over the field at the outside linebacker spot. Up front, Deatrich Wise Jr. was so good this spring that coaches would often take him off the field so the offense could get some work done. Touted recruit McTelvin Agim has been turning heads as well since arriving in Fayetteville.

Overall, depth is good up front and still a little shaky at linebacker, so expect plenty of mixing and matching again in 2016.

Who is the secondary enforcer?

Henre’ Toliver was the best of a bad lot last year. The secondary was torched often, but big things are expected now that Paul Rhoads, the former Iowa State head coach, has come to town to coach the defensive backs.

Toliver is tough against the run and doesn’t mind mixing it up in the run game. He led all corners in tackles with 55 playing mostly nickel.

Greatest concern

The Razorbacks have been horrible on third down for several years now, and 2015 was no different. They ranked 12th in the SEC (only Auburn and South Carolina were worse) allowing 44 percent conversions. That was 102nd in the country out of 127 teams, according to NCAA statistics.

It’s going to be critical for the Razorbacks to do a better job of getting off the field this year.

One stat that must improve in 2016

When push came to shove last year and teams got into the red zone, the Razorbacks defense simply rolled over. Arkansas’ red zone defense ranked last in the SEC and 90th in the country in the percentage of scores allowed. On 53 occasions, Arkansas opponents entered the red zone and they scored a whopping 46 times for a hefty 87 percent average that was the worst in the SEC.

Teams scored 22 touchdowns on the ground and 11 through the air. They kicked 13 field goals.  Those 33 touchdowns were also the most allowed in the SEC.

Better/worse in 2016

The Razorbacks were really good against the run last year and those gaudy statistics might be hard to top, primarily because opponents might try to be a little more balanced against Arkansas this year. That defensive line is good and deep, especially on the edges. With good linebacker play, they’ll be stubborn against the run.

The overall defense probably will be better for the Hogs this year, but finishing No. 2 in the SEC against the run and No. 12 in the country might be tough to beat. We’ll say they’ll be worse against the run, but not by much.