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Arkansas offensive coordinator Jim Chaney has to reevaluate.
Whether it be play-calling or execution, something has to give.
In his last 34 SEC games dating back to his time at Tennessee, Chaney is 2-32.
That includes three games in which the Razorbacks have been on the cusp this season, but due to offensive woes, have come up short.
There was the goal line stand No. 1 Mississippi State made by stuffing Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins in the final minutes two weeks ago. There was the game against then-No. 6 Texas A&M when the running game disappeared after the half, and Arkansas gained only 91 yards on 25 carries. There was the game against Alabama in which Brandon Allen threw back across the field and was intercepted by Landon Collins.
The Hogs boast one of the country’s most explosive power run games. Arkansas ranks fourth in the SEC in rushing, averaging 248.2 yards per game. Much of that production has come against non-conference opponents; the Razorbacks averaged 355 yards per game against Nicholls State, Northern Illinois, Texas Tech and UAB.
The story has been much different in SEC play, however.
Arkansas is averaging nearly 100 yards below its season average — just 163.2 yards per game — against conference opponents. Allen has seen an uptick in production, averaging 230.8 passing yards per game.
Head coach Bret Bielema is aware of the fledgling run game and late-game miscues.
“Any time we can’t — especially down there near the goal line — punch it in it gets concerning,” Bielema said, according to Arkansas News. “I think you’ve got to look at A) what’s being called and B) got to look at the execution of what the call is.”
Nailed it, Coach.
Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt believes its a lack of elite talent.
Klatt: If you’re going to be a true pro-style offense, you have to have a QB who can manipulate & control the game from the pocket.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) November 11, 2014
Klatt: Without elite-level talent surrounding a QB in a pro-style system, the margin for error is so small. … B. Allen is going thru that.
— Bo Mattingly (@SportsTalkwBo) November 11, 2014
Arkansas got too comfortable with the run during non-conference play. But minus the ability to run the football in SEC play, the passing game hasn’t been able to pick things up.
“You believe you’re going to be able to do that against anybody,” Chaney told Arkansas News. “So then your dilemma is, do I go ahead and change? Do I make a different play call knowing that what I’ve been doing they’re prepared for? Or do I say we’re good enough to go ahead and do that and still be successful. Historically, I’d like to stay with what we’ve been doing.”
The bye week provided the Razorbacks an opportunity to heal up and prepare for its stretch run against LSU this week, Ole Miss on Nov. 22 and Missouri on Nov. 28, all three of which rank 30th or lower nationally in rush defense.
Tailback Korliss Marshall returns from a three-game suspension and should provided a needed lift to Williams and Collins.
Chaney welcomed the bye week that came and went, though, as a chance to make some much-needed evaluations.
“This week for me has been all about self study and looking at what we’re doing,” Chaney said.
Arkansas is facing perhaps its most promising three-game run of the season; the Hogs enter Saturday night’s contest with LSU as a favorite.
Bielema knows his team must limit the mistakes and establish the run.
“We can definitely execute better,” Bielema said. “There’s no doubt about that. Whether it’s a guy that can’t make a block or a guy that can’t hold a block. Or maybe a running back that misreads something. You can always adapt your game plan to what an offense is doing or what a defense is doing against you.”
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
