Film Shows Kent State Strong in One Area

Razorbacks will face challenge at position where Pittman needs to see it most

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Sep 7, 2023 2:53 AM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – There's not a lot of respect in the college football world for Kent State. Truth be told, if the Golden Flashes were playing Western Carolina instead of Arkansas on Saturday, the smart money would go toward the Catamounts despite the FCS status.

However, there is one area that is going to create just enough problems for Arkansas to potentially ruin the whole season. If offensive coordinator Dan Enos wants KJ Jefferson to throw for 500 yards, chances are he can. The receivers will be running open often, and when they aren't, their size creates mismatches. If he wants the running backs to have a big day, there's ample opportunity on the edges provided they each still have their speed after bulking up a bit.

On the defensive side of the ball, defensive coordinator Travis Williams has several options to keep the turnover margin high. The Hogs should be able to get plenty of pressure on the edges and quarterback Michael Alaimo has a tendency to float the ball on passes outside the hashes and deep over the middle. He also isn't afraid to try to force the ball into double coverage. The Razorback secondary will have its chances to jump routes pretty much all day.

There's only one area of major concern when it comes to the Golden Flashes. They are extremely strong on the defensive line. They're also quick to get good leverage on their blockers and drive them back. It's going to be a problem.

Arkansas prides itself in running up the middle, but, for the most part, expect that area to be clogged. More importantly, expect Jefferson to have pressure in his face, especially during the first half. Not only is the defensive line the strength of the team, there's nothing about watching Arkansas getting offensive linemen planted flat onto their backs by an FCS team last weekend on back-to-back plays at the goal line that creates the slightest doubt.

The player on the Kent State defensive line who generates the most curiosity is sophomore Oliver Billote. Just a couple of years ago he was a high school quarterback and decorated wrestler. He has since beefed up to a reported 6-foot-5, 254 pounds, but on tape he looks much larger.

His wrestling technique is evident. He has quick hands, great feet and applies all the lessons from the mat to produce leverage. There's a little John Ridgeway in him as far a demeanor. At some point, he and Jefferson are going to meet and it will make for an interesting moment.

He leads a position group that is going to put pads on Jefferson multiple times throughout the game. It took every millisecond of former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee's elite track speed to escape the pressure. The Arkansas vet is fast, but he's not as elusively quick as Plumlee so he's going to take his licks.

As he scrambles, receivers are going to come open down field. However, Jefferson will have to stay wary as he scans the route tree. The Kent State line spends a lot of time down around the quarterback's knees and ankles. Building a lead quick and getting Jefferson out of the line-up is going to be important. This game is a needless injury waiting to happen.

The other player to keep an eye on is graduate linebacker Nicholas Giacolone. He's got good speed and goes all out through the whistle. Whether it's a pass 15 yards off the line of scrimmage or chaos in the backfield, he always seems to find a way to be around the ball. He's got Grant Morgan heart with Drew Morgan speed. Drew wasn't fast for a receiver, but that kind of quickness from a linebacker with Grant's relentless nature makes for a potential nuisance throughout the day.

It will be tough sledding through the heart of the Kent State defense. It will be interesting to see if Pittman gives the order to take what the defense gives the Hogs and live to fight another day, or whether he wants to force the issue by running the ball up the middle for educational purposes.

With Raheim Sanders nursing a swollen knee, the second and third backs may not get asked as much to run face first into the wall. However, freshman Isaiah Augustave, who looked powerful in an impressive debut, may very well get the call if Pittman wants a gut check of his linemen.

There's not a lot to be discovered about the Razorbacks from this game, but whether the offensive line has improved from Game 1 is the lone area where that can happen. Whatever the results, they will be legit. Just take every other aspect of the game with a grain of salt.