FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It seems like a damaged document, however Arkansas goes into the ultimate stretch of the common season searching for its first SEC victory of the season to finish a seven-game shedding streak.
The Razorbacks haven't defeated a Energy 4 opponent this season and have misplaced 4 video games this season with at the least a double-digit lead within the second half.
When it comes to complete yards given up currently, Arkansas has improved by surrendering just below 431 yards per recreation this season, however can't appear to get defensive stops when wanted most.
Two weeks in the past, the Razorbacks protection allowed Mississippi State to drive straight down the sector on its remaining drive and rating a landing with the Bulldogs' Anthony Evans breaking three tackles earlier than crossing the airplane.
Offensively, interim coach Bobby Petrino's unit stays within the High 10 at No. 8 nationally for complete offense (484.8 yards per recreation), however have fallen off a bit in scoring at No. 21 (35.4 factors per recreation).
For LSU, it's struggled to search out its personal offensive id and has one in every of its worst run video games in program historical past, averaging 101 yards per recreation on the bottom. The Tigers as soon as produced robust speeding assaults yearly with backs equivalent to Leonard Fournette, Clyde Edwards-Elaire, Jacob Hester, Stevan Ridley, Jeremy Hill, Joseph Addai, and the checklist can go on.
If there was ever a time to get issues proper, Arkansas permits over 184 yards per recreation which ranks No. 118 and almost useless final amongst P4 groups, forward of solely UCLA.
The Tigers have gained three straight towards the Razorbacks whereas protecting a good grip of the Golden Boot trophy for seven of the final eight seasons.
The Razorbacks' final victory got here off the foot of former kicker turned NFL document holder Cam Little who linked on a 37-yard area aim in time beyond regulation to safe a 16-13 win.
The ESPN Matchup Predictor offers Arkansas a 30.7% likelihood of defeating LSU this Saturday. If the Razorbacks are in a position to pull off the upset, then they’d discover themselves on the best facet of historical past by successful the second ever SEC recreation between two interim coaches.
Petrino gave a candid take of what the Tigers are doing in another way now beneath Frank Wilson in comparison with the allegedly fired Brian Kelly.
"It's onerous to essentially [tell] are there quite a lot of modifications or not," Petrino mentioned Monday. "Defensively they had been rather more aggressive it appeared like. They introduced quite a lot of stress, introduced quite a lot of blitz zero in third down conditions. Did a very good job defending Alabama’s offense. They’ve received good gamers and so they got here after them and had been actually aggressive."
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is taken into account possible for Saturday's recreation, however Petrino desires his crew to be ready for each quarterbacks anyway.
"Offensively they appeared very comparable," Petrino mentioned. "Appeared like they’re nonetheless of their minds they need to throw the ball first and run the ball second. They performed each [Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren], in order that was a little bit bit totally different. We’re accustomed to each of [quarterbacks], clearly from final 12 months. Have quite a lot of respect for Nussmeier and the way in which he’s performed all through his profession.
"He hasn’t had the kind of 12 months that he thought he would have, however he’s nonetheless a extremely good participant after which we’ll should be prepared for each of them."
ESPN's Invoice Connelly has the Tigers' ranked No. 30 in his SP+ rankings this week. The Razorbacks are ranked No. 39 with a 2-7 (0-3 SEC) document, and is the one crew within the High 50 with lower than three wins on the season.
The Tigers' have plummeted since its begin to the common season with No. 10 rating within the SEC and No. 22 nationally, in keeping with ESPN's Football Power Index which is a bit increased than Connelly's score system.
He offers LSU a 5.5 level edge Saturday with a predicted rating of 31-27 and over the full level unfold of 55.5
ESPN FPI (SEC) Rankings
1. Alabama
2. Georgia
3. Texas A&M
4. Texas
5. Ole Miss
6. Oklahoma
7. Tennessee
8. Vanderbilt
9. Missouri
10. LSU
11. Auburn
12. Florida
13. Kentucky
14. South Carolina
15. Arkansas
16. Mississippi State
Star LSU linebacker Whit Weeks hasn't been seen a lot this season, showing in six video games whereas recording 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception on the season.
Weeks is listed as questionable on the SEC availability report, however appears to be mentally prepared for a return towards Arkansas. He compelled a momentum flipping interception close to the aim line that resulted in a two-yard landing on the very subsequent play.
"Whit was at follow yesterday," Wilson mentioned throughout the SEC coaches teleconference. "He moved round. He'll transfer round once more at this time, and we'll see. We'll see how he holds up at this time as our grit Wednesday, so it's a little bit extra taxing than earlier within the week.
"Spot working towards, no boot, within the tire, shifting about, transitioning, however not, yesterday, not with physique weight towards him. He'll get that at this time to see how he sustains and strikes with precise weight towards him."
Like most opposing coaches, Wilson was very respectful of Taylen Inexperienced's athletic potential and is aware of the Arkansas offense may cause defensive points.
"[Green's] 6-foot-6, athletic, and he's a legit 4.40 man," Wilson mentioned. "It nearly at occasions seems like he's gliding due to his stride. He's a very good participant. They're prolific, in my view.
"They will rating. They've been behind towards opponents and rallied again due to his distinctive ability set to each run and throw the ball. They had been averaging 35 factors a recreation. They will rush the ball from the quarterback place by design; they will hand it off as nicely, and so they have some receivers that may make performs for him.
Kickoff Time: 11:45 p.m.
Venue: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
TV Channel: SEC Community
Radio: Arkansas Razorbacks Sports activities Community
Collection Report: LSU leads 43-23-2
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Jacob Davis is a reporter for Arkansas Razorbacks on SI, with a decade of expertise protecting highschool and switch portal recruiting. He has beforehand labored at Rivals, Saturday Down South, SB Nation and hosted podcasts with Bleav Podcast Community the place his present was a finalist for podcast of the 12 months. Native of El Dorado, he at present resides in Central Arkansas along with his spouse and daughter.
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