Arkansas Razorbacks: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats
Arkansas Razorbacks: Key To The 2022 Offense
Be better on third downs
The Hogs were better after failing to hit 34% on third downs for three years in a row, but the 37% clip of last year wasn’t good enough.
As is this isn’t an offense built to work the clock or win the time of possession battle, and not keeping the chains moving doesn’t help.
Oddly enough, the offense was great on third downs in a few of the bigger losses, but overall it was a struggle to get to 30% on a regular basis.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Key To The 2022 Defense
Generate more of a pass rush
The defense did the job overall with one of its best seasons in years, but there wasn’t quite enough happening in the backfield and now a few new pass rushers have to emerge.
It’s all a bit nitpicky – Arkansas hasn’t cranked up the pass rush in years, and the 25 sacks last year were a lot for the program – but to take that extra step up, being more disruptive would be nice.
The Hogs were fine early, but they went through a rough dry spell of three games without a sack and managed two or fewer seven times. They were hardly awful, but with a slew of big passing games and great quarterbacks on the slate, they have to get more pressure.
Arkansas Razorbacks: Key Player To The 2022 Season
OT Jalen St. John, Soph.
Having a big, tough QB like KJ Jefferson leads to a slew of sacks and tackles for loss – he’s able to extend plays and doesn’t get the ball out all that quickly sometimes – but the line still has to be stronger at holding up against the pass rushers.
Having problems against Alabama and Georgia isn’t anything to get into a twist over, but the line allowed three or more sacks in seven of the last nine games and seven tackles for loss or more eight times.
The line will be outstanding. There’s a great combination of size, experience, and talent, but the emergence of St. John at left tackle allows everything else to work.
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Arkansas Razorbacks: Key Transfer
WR Jadon Haselwood, Jr.
There are plenty of options for the top transfer honor. Landon Jackson was a key get from LSU for the defensive front, there are a few nice gets for the secondary, but Treylon Burks caught 66 passes last season and the leading returning target caught 20.
The offense needs Haselwood – an Oklahoma transfer who caught 62 passes for 736 yards and seven touchdowns in his three years – needs to be a No. 1 guy who can play up to the immense prep hype.
Arkansas Key Game To The 2022 Season
Texas A&M (in Arlington) Sept. 24
Alabama is going to be the star of the SEC West show again, and that’s coming up right after Arkansas gets Texas A&M in AT&T Stadium. At least that’s at home.
Technically, the Hogs don’t play a road game until October 8th, and most of them are going to be a problem. Most of the home dates aren’t a breeze, either.
They shocked the Aggies in a 20-10 win last year, and that turned out to be a must with three straight losses to follow. Again, with Bama up next, win, or any dream of pushing for the SEC West are likely done before October.
Arkansas Razorbacks: 2021 Fun Stats
– Arkansas points allowed: 1st quarter: 34. 2nd quarter: 105
– Penalties: Arkansas 103 for 820 yards – Opponents 64 for 615 yards
– Fumbles: Arkansas 22 (lost 6) – Opponents 12 (lost 3)
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