Most will agree that Arkansas has one of the toughest, if not the toughest schedule in all of college football. If the SEC West portion of it isn’t strong enough, throw in ranked non-conference opponents Cincinnati and BYU.

Knocking off No. 23 Cincinnati by a touchdown last weekend was one heck of a tuneup for SEC play. But the No. 16 Hogs can’t sleep on unranked South Carolina on Saturday in the SEC opener for both teams. And if we’ve learned anything about head coach Sam Pittman, we know he’ll have his team ready to go. They’ll need to be because the Gamecocks are on the rise under fiery young head coach Shane Beamer.

A victory on Saturday would give South Carolina a 3-game win streak, dating to last year’s Dukes Mayo Bowl victory against North Carolina. It would be their longest winning streak since 2017 when they defeated Arkansas, Tennessee and Vanderbilt in succession.

The Gamecocks have everything to gain and little to lose in Saturday’s 11 a.m. (Central time) kickoff, and that’s what makes them so dangerous. Beamer will send them into Razorback Stadium thinking they can win. They’ll play loose and they can afford to be overly aggressive.

It’s an attitude the Razorbacks played with 3 years ago when Pittman arrived to resurrect the program. Now that role is reversed.

South Carolina is the up-and-comer while Arkansas is looking to step up to elite status. It would be a landmark win for Beamer and the Gamecocks to come to Fayetteville and knock off a ranked opponent.

Arkansas is now the hunted, no longer the hunter. Under Pittman, the Razorbacks have climbed back into the rat race that is the SEC West and are beginning to find themselves fixtures in the national rankings. Moving up that ladder is the next goal and winning on Saturday is critical to that endeavor.

It can be achieved in 3 not-so-simple steps:

1. Keep KJ upright

The heart and soul of the Razorbacks offense must be well protected at all times. That’s no easy task when you have a multitalented player like KJ Jefferson, who can run as effectively as he throws. But that’s the mission. Keeping Jefferson from taking big hits is a must if the Razorbacks are to continue to light up the scoreboard.

The series between the teams has produced high-scoring affairs. The winners have piled up a minimum of 33 points in each of the past 8 games played between the two teams.

So, if the Razorbacks are intent on being the team in the 30-plus range, a healthy Jefferson is the key.

2. Keep Rattler in check

Transfer quarterback Spencer Rattler is bringing a new dimension to the South Carolina offense. He isn’t on the level of Jefferson as far as rushing ability but he is talented enough to extend plays and avoid big losses with his feet.

The junior transfer from Oklahoma threw for 227 yards (23-for-37) and a touchdown in his Gamecocks debut against Georgia State. But he had two interceptions as well. Rattling South Carolina’s new QB might be the way for the Hogs to end their 3-game losing streak to the Gamecocks.

3. Special special teams play

If not for a couple of blocked punts and 2 long field goals, South Carolina may not have survived its opener last weekend. Leading by 6 in the second half, the Gamecocks blocked 2 Georgia State punts and returned both for scores to break the game open on the way to a 35-14 victory.

Field goals of 53 and 51 yards by Mitch Jeter had provided South Carolina with its lead until that point.

Arkansas’ Cam Little must outduel the strong-legged Jeter, and the Razorbacks must protect on punting situations in order to help prevent the Gamecocks from winning their first SEC opener since defeating Missouri, 31-13, in 2017.