Hogs’ running backs, O-line present ‘big’ problems for Tigers
By Drew Laing
Published:
They’re hard to miss.
When Arkansas takes the field on Friday, the Razorbacks’ offensive line won’t be hiding from anyone. I don’t think the players could even if they tried.
At an average size of 6-foot-6, 324 pounds, the Hogs’ “hogmollies” are bigger than any other offensive line in college of pro football. The overwhelming presence of these five linemen have led to some huge offensive outputs for the Razorbacks, mainly in the running game.
Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins anchor the running game. Both are fourth and fifth in the SEC in rushing yards, respectively. Arkansas’ offensive game plan is simple — utilize its strength behind the mammoth offensive line and wear down the opposing defense with a physical run game.
“I think they may be the biggest offensive line in the NFL or college,” head coach Gary Pinkel said. “They’re very big and physical. That’s [head coach Bret Bielema’s] background as he did it at Wisconsin also. Their running backs are good players. They can turn short gains into big plays. It’s going to be a challenge. We’ve played some big people before, but they really have some great size.”
Recent weeks have been very good to Missouri’s run defense, a unit that’s gotten better as the season has progressed. In Missouri’s last four games, the most rushing yards the Tigers have allowed is 104 yards against Texas A&M, and even then it was far from a dominant rushing attack by the Aggies.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, they are catching the Razorbacks at the wrong time. Arkansas has suddenly turned a corner in conference play, shutting out both LSU and Ole Miss at home in their last two games. Until these two wins, the Hogs hadn’t won a SEC game for more than two years.
The Razorbacks have looked so good in the last two games that they actually come into this game as a slight favorite over Missouri, despite being the road team.
“You could see it happening,” Pinkel said during Wednesday’s teleconference. “This is not a surprise to me at all. We’re playing a really good football team. They certainly deserve all the accolades they’re receiving now for the improvement they’ve had.”
Underdogs or not, Missouri has been in this position before. Arkansas’ run game and offensive line will no doubt present a tough challenge for the Tigers’ defense, but Pinkel believes his team focus has brought them to this point and can certainly be the difference maker in a win for his squad tomorrow.
“I just think great leadership and guys working hard. I’ve got guys that battle and compete at a high level. One by one, we’ve improved as a football team,” Pinkel said.
“Win or lose, you just focus on improving as a football team.”
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
