5 Keys for Hogs to defeat Tennessee

By Otis Kirk
on 2024-10-04 08:03 AM

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is set to play host to No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday night in Razorback Stadium.

Tennessee (4-0, 1-0) and Arkansas (3-2, 1-1) will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. and televised on ABC. The Vols are coming off a bye week while Arkansas lost to Texas A&M 21-17 last Saturday. Arkansas also lost to Oklahoma State 38-31 in Week 2 in double overtime. Tennessee Coach Josh Heupel knows this could be two undefeated teams Saturday with a break or two.

“I just think they’re playing extremely well in all three phases of the game,” Heupel said. “They play smart football, don’t give up a ton of big plays defensively., they’ve been really good against the run. They’re big, strong, physical. I think on the offensive side of the football, the quarterback’s a difference-maker for them. As a complete team, they’re playing extremely well together. And like I said, they’re a couple plays away from from being undefeated.I have a ton of respect for Coach. I think he does a great job. He’s one of the good guys in the business. You can tell that his team believes in him, and that they play extremely hard for him.”

Here’s five keys for the Hogs to get a win on Saturday.

Play Clean Game, Eliminate Turnovers, Excessive Penalties

In the two games they lost the Hogs had three turnovers in each of them. The fumble at its own 10-yard line last week was a killer for the Hogs. If Arkansas could cut out the turnovers they could play with any team in the nation, but can they eliminate them? There is no indication after five games that Arkansas can stop turning the ball over. The Hogs had 10 penalties last week. They beat themselves in both losses with turnovers, penalties and missed field goals at Oklahoma State. The Hogs should be 4-1 right now and could be 5-0. No way they should have lost to Oklahoma State. Don’t turn the ball over and they beat the Aggies.

Protect the Quarterback

When Sam Pittman was hired to coach the Hogs who would have thought in the fifth year the offensive line would be such a question mark? It was last season as well. It was widely assumed when Pittman was hired if any unit would be outstanding it would be the offensive line. Other than 2021 it hasn’t been a strength. Taylen Green was sacked three times against A&M and pressured constantly. The Aggies had eight quarterback hurries in the game. Against OSU, Green’s pick-6 was a result of him being hit as he threw the football. The tight ends are beat up which doesn’t help Arkansas’ blocking issues.

Don’t Let Vols Jump on Them Early

The Volunteers have scored 78 points in the first quarter of games this season. They jump on teams early and have yet to trail in four games. That is incredible in that they have played Oklahoma and North Carolina State. The Razorbacks have the advantage of the home crowd and the longer Arkansas is in the game the more difficult it is for the Vols. Make it a four-quarter game.

Pressure Nico Iamaleava

Yes Iamaleava is a very good quarterback. But he is a freshman and who knows how he will react if his team is trailing. The Hogs need to mix up the coverages and looks making Iamaleava’s job more difficult. That is easier said than done, but if the Hogs were able to defeat the Vols they will obviously have the first lead anyone has had against Tennessee.

Try to Establish the Running Game, Use Screens, Quick Hitting Passes

Teams are pinning their ears and coming after Green. That is why the Hogs have to run the football more and establish quicker passing plays. When the Hogs continue to have Green drop back in the pocket teams are just pinning their ears and coming after him. That results in sacks and getting Arkansas behind the chains. The Razorbacks can’t play behind the chains against a very talented Tennessee team.

These are by no means the only keys, but if the Hogs execute these five things it could be an interesting game.

Prediction: Tennessee 31 – Arkansas 21


(Last updated: 2024-10-04 08:03 AM)