Here are some thoughts on why Arkansas dominated an LSU team that was undefeated eight days ago.

5 TAKEAWAYS

1. Coach Bret Bielema and OC Dan Enos make a dangerous combination: Whatever held this Arkansas offense back to begin the season (injuries, play calling) is clearly no longer a problem as the Razorbacks and their offense look as dangerous a team there is in all of college football.

Arkansas had three touchdown runs of 50+ yards Saturday night. The Razorbacks ran for 299 yards against a defense that entered the game allowing an average of 331 total yards.

2. Arkansas O-Line one of the best in college football: The Razorbacks dominated the line of scrimmage, and it showed up in more ways than just the gaudy rushing total. LSU entered with 21 sacks, including 3 last week against Alabama, but couldn’t get any pressure on Brandon Allen. Allen had to throw just 16 passes to win this one.

3. Alex Collins deserves more national attention: It can be tough for a running back to get noticed in a conference with LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Alabama’s Derrick Henry (and Georgia’s Nick Chubb to begin the year), but after Collins needs to at least be in the conversation.

Playing with a sore back (more on that later), Collins ran for 141 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns, the gutsiest performance of the night for Bielema.

4. DE Deatrich Wise Jr. looks like a rising star: Wise has received plenty of hype over his three-year Arkansas career, but this might have been his breakout game. He man-handled the LSU offensive line all night as the pass rusher finished with three sacks, each one bigger than the last.

5. Arkansas receivers can compete with anybody: Whether it’s TE Hunter Henry, WR Dominique Reed, WR Jared Cornelius, or WR Drew Morgan, this receiving group is showcasing its depth with everyone back and healthy on the outside. Hunter and Morgan barely had to be on the field after dominating the Rebels last week, as Reed and Cornelius took over.

REPORT CARD

Offense: A. Could there be any other grade for a team that has scored 201 points during a four-game winning streak? Allen looks to finish off his career on top and with Collins behind him and Morgan, Cornelius, Henry and Reed on the outside it doesn’t look like anybody is going to stop him.

Defense: A. Arkansas dominated the line of scrimmage and came in with the mindset that LSU QB Brandon Harris was going to have to beat them. Fournette didn’t have a horrible game (19 carries 91 yards, 1 TD) but they bottled him up early and prevented splash plays. That led to LSU throwing 35 passes to 30 rushes.

Special teams: B. Not a big factor, but Reed had several solid returns (and a receiving TD). CB D.J. Dean also contributed (and also had an INT).

Coaching: A. No coaching staff is hotter in the SEC than Bielema and Enos. Before the game Bielema said Harris would have to beat them and his team executed the game plan to perfection. On offense, defense, and special teams this was the Razorbacks’ most complete game this season .

GAME BALLS

  • QB Brandon Allen: His stats won’t jump out at you (141 passing yards, 1 TD 1 INT), but Arkansas didn’t need him to throw for 300 and 5. With the right weapons around him and the perfect hard-nosed running back behind him, Allen is simply fun to watch right now.
  • DE Deatrich Wise Jr.: Three sacks gets you a game-ball in this one for sure. Hopefully Wise can keep it going at Ole Miss next week.
  • OL Sebastian Tretola: Anybody O-lineman is deserving, but senior Tretola gets the nod as he’s become the vocal leader on a line that has as good a rapport as any in college football right now.

INJURY REPORT

  • RB Alex Collins had his back looked at during defensive possessions to open the second half. He appeared to be banged up in the third quarter but did not leave the field at any point. After toughing it out, expect Collins to be ready to go against Mississippi State.
  • DT Taiwan Johnson went down to the ground and left the game in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury. He did not return.