The annual chaos in Arlington is here again – how can the trenches win this one?
Chaos is the story of the rivalry between Texas A&M and Arkansas in recent times.
The Aggies have gotten the better of Arkansas in Jerry World, winning nine of the last ten. However, in spite of the lopsided recent record, this series has been ultra-competitive. The majority of the contests have been decided by one score and we’ve seen a few overtime games mixed in.
I don’t expect Saturday to be a comfortable game for either team.
What can the Aggies do in the trenches to win this game?
Let’s dive in.
Offensive Line
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
Through four weeks of the season, we know what the identity of this offense is going to be. The Aggies are going to rely on the rushing attack to try and impose their will on Arkansas.
That means the offensive line will need to generate push against an Arkansas defense that ranks in the top 15 in the nation with just 82.8 yards allowed through the first four games.
The Texas A&M rushing offense?
8th in the nation with 256 yards per game.
Something has to give in this matchup.
The Arkansas defensive line has a lot of experience up front with juniors and seniors starting upfront including Landon Jackson at defensive end.
We may need to see a bit more creativity out of Collin Klein in the run game this week if the Aggies are going to have success.
In the passing game, Arkansas ranks 98th in the country and has secured seven sacks with no one player having more than one sack
The Aggies should be able to protect Marcel Reed or Conner Weigman if the latter proves healthy enough to start.
I am leaning towards Reed starting once again until Weigman gets back to 100%.
One key piece to watch on Saturday? Texas A&M hasn’t needed to play from behind since Marcel Reed took over.
That’s a real possibility on Saturday, and it could drastically change the approach of the Texas A&M offense. If he does, look for Texas A&M to be forced to lean on the passing game where we will find out just how good the pass protection is.
Defensive Line
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images
The Texas A&M defensive line has proven to be the strength of this unit once again as the rushing defense has stepped up their efforts majorly in the past two games against Bowling Green and Florida.
They face a major test in an Arkansas rushing offense anchored by Utah transfer RB Ja’Quinden Jackson and Boise State transfer QB Taylen Green.
In Green, Texas A&M faces the most dynamic rushing threat at QB they’ve seen to this point in the season. While DJ Lagway was capable of scrambling and Riley Leonard possessed a power rushing threat at QB, Green is a more electric player than either.
This is a two-fold problem in that the Aggies will need to compensate for him both in the designed run game and as a scrambler in the pass game.
Texas A&M will need to be disciplined with their eyes and in their rush lanes and I believe they are up to the task.
The Razorbacks have allowed nine sacks through the first four games so I do think Shemar Stewart, Nic Scourton, and company will be able to pressure Green against an offensive line that has struggled to protect.
If they can keep Green contained and force him to beat the defense through the air, he has proven to be susceptible to turnovers with four interceptions through four games.
Discipline is the key here.
Limit the damage done in the rushing game and produce negative plays.
As I mentioned above, I’m expecting a healthy dose of chaos in this one. Arlington sees wild moments every year, and 2024 will likely be no different. Expect another one-score battle in the final year of this game as a neutral site contest.
I think the Aggies come out on top in a tight battle.