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Kickoff: 9 p.m. EST Monday
An Arkansas program on the rise arrives in Houston looking for a seventh win in year-two of the Bret Bielema project.
The Razorbacks finished the regular season as one of the hottest teams in the SEC, but have a bitter taste in their mouth after giving away the game at Missouri on Black Friday.
A punishing run game, complimented with an improving defense has been the formula for success for the Hogs in 2014, a formula that should bode well against a Texas team still trying to find its identity under first-year CEO Charlie Strong.
Monday night’s Texas Bowl will be an old-school matchup, as neither team has a sexy offense. Both, however, rely on physical front sevens to stymie its opponent.
Who wins this game will be determined in the trenches, where both teams are good. Win the trenches, win the game.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
- Does offensive coordinator Jim Chaney stick to the Razorbacks’ identity?
- Can Texas QB Tyrone Swoopes have success against a young secondary absent Rohan Gaines?
- Will Trey Flowers cap his college career with a statement game?
- Can Arkansas carry over the momentum from the regular season after a long layoff?
- Seven wins would be huge for the Hogs. Can Bielema and company get a jumpstart of 2015?
Arkansas
Motivation: Motivation shouldn’t be an issue for a Arkansas players, many of whom haven’t been to a bowl game in their collegiate careers. If anything, jitters and too much energy may be an issue early on. Can an inexperienced ball club temper feelings against an old Southwest Conference rival?
If You’ve Never Seen Them: The season began slow for Arkansas, looking much like 2013. The Razorbacks demolished Texas Tech on the road, turning some heads, but then gave up a 14-point fourth quarter lead the next week against Texas A&M in Dallas. More close losses against Alabama and Mississippi State would come, but the Razorbacks looked like a team capable of competing in the vaunted SEC West. Shut-out wins over LSU and Ole Miss validated that, and also got Bielema’s team bowl eligible.
Weakness: The secondary. Arkansas ranked 12th in the SEC in pass efficiency defense, ahead of only South Carolina and Vanderbilt. The Razorbacks also produced just 12 interceptions on the year, good for ninth in the league. Swoopes is capable of a 300-yard outburst. Can the Hogs defend against it?
Texas
Motivation: Pride’s on the line in this battle of bitter old rivals. A bowl win would also get some of the Texas big-wigs off Strong’s back for doing things his way. Strong dismissed nine Longhorns players this season, which many consider the reason for the 6-6 mark.
If You’ve Never Seen Them: The Longhorns have built their foundation on defense. Texas ranks second and fifth in the Big 12 in scoring defense and rushing defense, respectively. The back end is nothing to scoff at, either, as Strong’s team led the Big 12 in passing defense. The Longhorns also lead the conference in total defense, allowing a modest 357.1 yards per game.
Weakness: The passing game. As previously mentioned, Swoopes is capable of tossing 300 yards, but that is a rare occurrence. He ranked next-to-last in the league in passing yardage, averaging 220 yards per game. The sophomore has been turnover prone, throwing 10 interceptions to just 13 touchdowns.
Westgate SuperBook Line: Arkansas -6
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.
