Arkansas was not expected to have a lot of success this season, but has done the unexpected, and heads into Saturday’s matchup vs. LSU as the two-point favorite.
Arkansas was originally projected to finish last in the SEC West, with one win at the most considered a real possibility.
New head coach Sam Pittman was forced to watch last weekend’s loss at Florida from home after testing positive for COVID-19. But he is expected to be back on the sideline this weekend as Arkansas prepares to host LSU on Saturday.
Pittman told reporters this week that he feels “really good” and wants to have gotten back to work by Wednesday.
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“I sure appreciate everybody (for the well wishes),” he said.
He took to Twitter with a message of optimism on Saturday.
“I love this team. We will be back. Get out to the stadium Saturday if you can and watch these kids play LSU.”
Pittman says he feels "really good" and plans on being back in the office on Wednesday. "I sure appreciate everybody [for the well wishes]."
— Kyle Deckelbaum (@KATVKyle) November 16, 2020
I love this team. We will be back. Get out to the stadium Saturday if you can and watch these kids play LSU.
— Coach Sam Pittman (@CoachSamPittman) November 15, 2020
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“Watching the game was difficult because you are just not there and for whatever reason, you feel like your presence have something to do with the game,” Pittman said in a press conference this week, referring to watching his team’s road game against the Gators. “I don’t want to give myself that much credit, but I just missed being around the guys.”
Pittman’s presence on the sideline against Florida may not have been enough to chang the outcome against the Gators, but there is no question Arkansas has been an improved team this season with Pittman energizing the program. One of the big reasons for improvement at Arkansas has been the addition of transfer quarterback Feleipe Franks.
The former Gators quarterback has relished the opportunity to continue playing for the Razorbacks. After suffering a season-ending injury with Florida last season, paving the way for Kyle Trask to begin thriving in Gainesville, Franks moved to Arkansas and has been a rock for the revitalized offense.
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Highest-graded passers from a clean pocket (SEC):
2. Feleipe Franks, Arkansas – 90.6
3. Kyle Trask, Florida – 90.4 pic.twitter.com/pILPQmi1q3— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 14, 2020
Highest yards per attempt from a clean pocket in Wk 11
1. Matt Corral, Ole Miss – 16.9
2. Feleipe Franks, Arkansas – 15.5
3. Malik Willis, Liberty – 14.1
4. Sam Howell, UNC – 12.9 pic.twitter.com/OPzDlB95Pb— PFF College (@PFF_College) November 15, 2020
🎶 Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back 🎶
Feleipe Franks with a dime in The Swamp to put Arkansas on the board 💪 pic.twitter.com/soPYKzaMsK
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 15, 2020
Heading into this weekend’s matchup with LSU, Franks has passed for 1,678 yards and 16 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
Even in a shortened season, the quarterback is on pace to have a career-high for touchdown passes (24 in 2018) and he may end the season with a career-high for passing yards in a season as well.
Franks has just one interception thrown in the last five games. If he can keep that trend going, LSU’s defense could be in for a tough game.
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