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Arkansas defense must be aggressive against limited Texas offense
By Jordan Cox
Published:
As Arkansas has watched film of Texas during bowl preparations, the Razorbacks have seen a one-dimensional offense with which they can afford to be aggressive against.
Texas head coach Charlie Strong holds many of the same philosophies as Razorbacks second-year CEO Bret Bielema.
Like Arkansas, the Longhorns aim to build their team around physical, run-oriented offenses that can control the clock.
The difference, however, is that the Hogs are balanced on offense and Texas isn’t. The Razorbacks averaged 190.3 passing yards per game and 220.3 rushing yards per game during the 2014 regular season.
Strong wants his Longhorns to be known for their punishing run game. Though the numbers say otherwise, Texas relied on its running game en route to six wins this season. Sure, it only averaged 148.7 yards per game on the ground, but the quarterback position is an issue for the Longhorns.
Texas averaged more than 55 rushing yards per game in its six wins than in its six losses. A Longhorns offense that stalls at times has to be a welcome site for an Arkansas defense that was surging at the end of the regular season.
The defense, led by first-year coordinator Robb Smith, allowed 128, 36, 63 and 158 rushing yards in its final four games, respectively. The Hogs’ front seven played sound gap assignment during that stretch, while not allowing opposing backs to get to the perimeter of the field.
Like its offensive battery mates, Texas looks to out-physical its opponents on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Tyrone Swoopes struggles to adjust to good defenses, and will be the fifth straight quarterback to finish with fewer than 3,000 yards through the air for Texas since Colt McCoy.
Arkansas’ front seven can afford to be aggressive on Monday night in Houston, and put the pressure on Swoopes to make plays. The Razorbacks will miss safety Rohan Gaines in the secondary, but have enough talent to put Swoopes in uncomfortable situations and allow the front seven to pressure the Longhorns’ signal-caller.
The Hogs are the more talented team and the more physical team.
Smith needs to cut loose his defense to stuff the run, pressure Swoopes and allow the Razorbacks offense to make plays.
Arkansas has the talent on defense to keep the Longhorns under wraps all night. It just has to be aggressive.
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.
