Hogs Have More Questions Than Answers Ahead Of Death Valley Trip

What questions need to be answered for the Arkansas Razorbacks to upset LSU in Baton Rouge?

Author:
Jacob Davis
Publish date:
Sep 23, 2023 11:58 AM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — From the outside looking into the Hogs' match-up with LSU this weekend, the chances for an upset don’t look good. Going into their SEC opener, sports books don’t like Arkansas’ chances to pull a shocker.

According to BetSaracen, the Hogs are (-17.5) underdogs in Baton Rouge against a red hot Tiger offense that’s averaging nearly 46 points, 344 passing yards and 192 rushing yards per game this season. The Hogs haven’t struggled much defensively besides being put in precarious positions with the field position game. However, they haven’t faced the test the Tiger offense provides.

There’s more than a few questions the Hogs need to answer as they prepare for the biggest fight of the young season. What is worth watching as Arkansas dares for the upset?

Can the defense contain Jayden Daniels?

The Hogs’ defense had success containing Daniels last season. As a unit, they limited the Tigers’ star quarterback to just 86 yards passing and 10 yards rushing on 19 attempts.

Although the Arizona State transfer improved throughout the 2022 season, Daniels has been much more improved through the first three weeks of 2023. In what was his best performance of his career last week, Daniels completed 30-of-34 passes for 361 yards and four touchdowns.

The Hogs have improved their pass defense, only allowing 257 yards per game, but haven’t faced an offense as electric as the Tigers. Arkansas has only allowed 55 yards per game on the ground this season which ranks fourth in the country. Cutting the legs off the LSU offense would be a huge key to an upset.

Has Sam Pittman placed a premium on execution?

This is an issue that needs to be resolved quickly after being called for 14 penalties last Saturday. Five of those were called on the Razorbacks' final drive to likely tie the game and force overtime. Arkansas continually beats themselves on the way to another surprising home loss.

Dropped passes have been an issue over the past couple of games. While Jaedon Wilson has experienced multiple drops against Kent State and BYU, drops became contagious amongst the receiving corp with time winding down against the Cougars.

Limiting the silly turnovers like hideous play calls on 4th & 1 with your 6-foot-3 quarterback in the shotgun. Either go with what analytics tell you — under center — or punt the ball and play for field position.

Can the offensive line protect KJ Jefferson?

Will KJ Jefferson be 100% against LSU? According to Coach Pittman, Arkansas’ third year team captain is a little beat up this week. Jefferson has taken quite a few hits to begin the season.

During his Monday press conference, Pittman alluded to implementing a rolling pocket to limit the amount of hits Jefferson could take.

How often will LSU call for the blitz with the talented Harold Perkins looming? As a freshman, he terrorized the Hogs to a tune of four sacks and two forced fumbles during their 13-10 win last season.

Pittman says his team is still trying to find the right combination for success in the trenches. With the type of dangerous front that LSU provides, it may take a few weeks before seeing any true improvement in the Arkansas offensive line.

“Believe me, we’re trying everything that we can to try to get the best guys out there that are going to play the best,” Pittman said. “We’ve been banged up and those things, but a lot of people get banged up. We just have to play better and play more consistent.”

Does Arkansas stand a chance?

My grandfather said it perfectly.
“Any given Saturday.”

Yeah, that’s probably not his original statement, but he said it quite often while growing up. Is that why I stay so optimistic about life in general? Maybe. But, the statement does hold water, especially this season.

Looking around the college football landscape there’s more parity in the great sport than at anytime time in its history. NIL, the transfer portal and an extra year of eligibility due to Covid-19 is to thank for how great it’s been to watch.

There’s certainly a chance, albeit a small one, for the Hogs to dial up their first ranked road since 2020. Distancing themselves from slow starts, foolish penalties and bad analytical decisions would be a good start.