Arkansas vs. Liberty: Prediction and preview

Arkansas looks to keep its win streak alive and lock up bowl eligibility in a battle against Hugh Freeze and the Liberty Flames.

The Week 10 bout is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. Eastern time on the SEC Network.

Arkansas vs. Liberty preview

Arkansas football has had a strange year.

The Razorbacks sit at 5-3 on the season with losses to Mississippi State, Alabama and Texas A&M all in a row to end September and start October. It was a demoralizing few weeks for Sam Pittman’s squad, but the Razorbacks are back on track with a couple wins over BYU and Auburn.

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Liberty and its 7-1 record are up next. The Flames are surprisingly stout this season, leaning on a potent running game from Dae Dae Hunter, who has racked up 821 yards and 8 touchdowns this season.

Of course, even Hunter has to settle for the title of 2nd best running back on the field Saturday afternoon. Arkansas’ Rocket Sanders takes that prize.

Sanders has been a nightmare for SEC defenses to stop this season. His 1,041 rushing yards are 7th in the nation and No. 1 in the SEC, though he has only found the end zone 7 times on the ground.

KJ Jefferson is the other domino for the Flames to attempt to stop here. Liberty, which has a top 30 defense in the country, will be hard pressed to stop a talent like Jefferson, who is not even playing to his full potential after a midseason head injury suffered against Alabama.

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Liberty, however, is slightly 1-dimensional on offense. The Flames have the 75th ranked passing offense in the country and struggle in the red zone because of it. Quarterback Johnathan Bennett has thrown for 939 yards and 8 touchdowns, which is good until you see his 7 interceptions as well. And that’s not exactly against the Georgias and Alabamas of the world. Both Bennett’s decision-making and poor red-zone efficiency should be areas the Arkansas defense can exploit well.

Arkansas vs. Liberty Prediction

Liberty just flamed (forgive us) BYU last week, 41-14. The Cougars are not as good as once thought preseason, but it’s still quality competition that Liberty was able to quickly dispatch. Obviously, things get harder against an SEC opponent that is above .500.

Arkansas has a good, not great rush defense, allowing under 150 yards in SEC play. That’s nothing to sneeze at, but the Razorbacks will have their work cut out for them against the Flames rushing attack.

But they’re up to the challenge. Arkansas, at home and on a bit of a run from wins over the Cougars and Tigers, will be able to take care of business.

Prediction: Arkansas 35, Liberty 24