5 keys for Arkansas to defeat Missouri

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas won for the first time in school history last year in Gainesville against Florida and on Saturday they hope to accomplish the same feat against Missouri in Columbia.

No. 23 Missouri (8-3, 4-3) and Arkansas (6-5, 3-4) will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. on the SEC Network. Both teams have qualified for a bowl game following the season. With a win Missouri could certainly move up a tier or two in the bowl pecking order. Arkansas seems headed for the Liberty or Birmingham Bowl.

Here’s five keys for Arkansas to defeat the Tigers.

Protect the Football, Don’t Have Excessive Penalties

For the first time all season the Hogs lost the turnover battle against Louisiana Tech, but still won the game. That says more about how bad the Louisiana Tech offense was than it does Arkansas’ ability to give it away three times and still win. Tech simply couldn’t take advantage of the Arkansas miscues like Oklahoma State and the SEC schools were able to do. If so, there’s a great chance the Hogs would have lost to Tech. Arkansas had an interception, two fumbles and eight penalties for 78 yards. They got one fumble by Louisiana Tech. The visitors had just five penalties for 30 yards. Tech only had 229 yards of total offense against the Hogs. If Arkansas has excessive penalties and loses the turnover battle on Saturday they could end up getting embarrassed.

Protect Taylen Green

Much of the season Taylen Green has been running for his life when the ball gets to him. There are times where he’s held the ball far too long and caused the protection to break down. But the truth is the Arkansas offensive line could do a much better job protecting Green. The interception that Green threw against Tech came when he had outstanding protection. He simply threw it to the Tech defender as if he was the intended target. Green needs to protect the ball on Saturday and the line needs to help him out as well.

Dictate Missouri’s Offense

Don’t allow Missouri to run and pass at will. Brady Cook is a very good quarterback, but Arkansas needs to make him beat them. If the running backs can run wild and Cook is comfortable in the pocket then it will be a very long day for Arkansas. Luther Burden and Theo Wease are talented wide receivers. If Missouri runs and passes at will then the Hogs have very little chance. Arkansas is going into the game with the intent of limiting what Missouri does on the ground and keep the receivers in front of them on passing routes.

Force Turnovers

While Arkansas has been careless with the football many times they simply haven’t been able to force the turnovers. The exception was Auburn when the Hogs forced five turnovers and defeated the Tigers 24-14 at Jordan Hare Stadium. If the Hogs could play a clean game and force a few Missouri turnovers the chances of a win would go up tremendously. Cook has only thrown two interceptions this season so this may be a tall order for Arkansas.

Get Points When in Missouri Territory

Both Arkansas and Missouri lost talented kickers who have played big roles in this game in the past. So both have suffered through an inconsistent season from the kickers. Arkansas’ total offense many games should equal more points than they have scored. The Hogs have to get points when in position to do so. Even if just three that is better than nothing.