Arkansas football: 5 things I'd like to see improved after bye week
Chad Morris said it after the Texas A&M game. This team has to find a way to win those games.
Now that’s about as generic of an analysis as there could be. A statement like, “Find a way to win” doesn’t exactly address specifics. It’s just a general statement with no real meaning. Yes, finding a way to win is the goal of every team in every sport at every level.
So let’s take a closer look at what specific areas the Razorbacks could improve upon during this bye week in order to find a way to win. Here are 5 that could make a big difference.
1. Red zone offense
Finding a way to score touchdowns in the red zone would certainly help the Razorbacks find a way to win games like the one last Saturday at Jerry’s World. Arkansas is last in the SEC in red zone offense, scoring on just 65% of its opportunities. They’re also last in the conference in touchdowns scored in the red zone (45%).
That simply isn’t going to get it done. Arkansas’ inability to run the ball is a big part of the problem. The Razorbacks are 10th in the SEC in rushing. That’s played a big part in the Razorbacks also finding themselves 10th in the SEC in scoring, averaging 28.6 points per game. Finishing drives will be perhaps the most critical stat for Arkansas over the course of the second half of the season.
Conversely, the Arkansas defense is 13th in the SEC when opponents enter the red zone. Opponents are scoring 85.71% — and scoring TDs 71.43% of the time. That disparity has to be evened up significantly if the Razorbacks have any hope of salvaging the season.
2. Punting/field position
Field position is critical, especially in close games like the last one with Texas A&M, and punting is key in gaining the edge in that area. That’s why Arkansas punter Sam Loy has to do better.
Arkansas ranks 13th in the SEC in punting, averaging 38.43 yards per punt. Surprisingly, only Alabama has done worse, averaging 35.45 yards per punt. Unfortunately, the Razorbacks don’t have the firepower that the Crimson Tide possesses on offense to overcome their poor punting average.
On the other side, the Razorbacks have been somewhat unlucky in that opposing punters have been stellar, averaging 45.33 yards per punt. Only Auburn and Kentucky have watched opposing punters get more yardage per boot so far this season.
So that doesn’t bode well for field position if the Hogs are losing 10 yards with every punt. Unless you are the Alabama or LSU offense, it’s difficult to overcome that wide of a discrepancy over the course of 4 quarters.
3. Time of possession/3rd-down conversions
If you’re Alabama or LSU, you don’t need to hold the ball for long because a few quick passes often leads to touchdowns. But for Arkansas, and the rest of the SEC for that matter, possessing the football and limiting touches to the opposition is a necessity.
So ranking 12th in the SEC in TOP, averaging just 28:44.60 of possession time, is one of those areas in which Arkansas must find a way to improve. Converting on 3rd downs would be a major step in that direction. Arkansas ranks 9th in the SEC, converting on only 38.57% of 3rd-down plays.
Converting and keeping the football is where the Razorbacks could really do themselves a favor coming out of the bye week.
4. Negative plays
Nothing deflates an offense like negative plays. Arkansas has had its share of them and then some this season. The Razorbacks rank 12th in the SEC having given up 28 tackles for loss. Only Auburn and Ole Miss have given up more.
Of those 28 negative plays, the Hogs have lost a total of 110 yards — or 5.6 yards per play. That’s a lot to overcome regardless of the proficiency of your offense. Cutting down on those negative plays will be key moving into the heart of SEC play.
5. Pass/scoring defense
The pass defense is leaking and opposing teams are taking advantage. The Razorbacks have allowed 1,259 yards passing. Among SEC teams, only Vanderbilt (1,363) and Ole Miss (1,572) have given up more.
That inability to defend the pass has resulted in points, too. Arkansas has allowed 10 TD passes already. That’s part of the reason the Hogs are yielding an average of 28 points per game. That ranks 11th in the conference. Only Mississippi State (28.6), Ole Miss (29.6) and Vanderbilt (39.0) have given up more.
Tightening up the secondary would have a huge impact on the rest of the Razorbacks’ game as it would create a domino effect; fewer yards, fewer points allowed, more opportunities for the offense.
Sounds simple enough, now lets’ see if the Razorbacks can find a way to make it happen.