Coming off a dominant win over Florida, No. 3 Texas looks to keep its momentum going against Arkansas as the season nears its end and the College Football Playoff inches ever closer.
Arkansas sits near the bottom of the SEC standings with a 5–4 overall record and a 3–3 record in the SEC that includes the team’s only ranked win against Tennessee on Oct. 5.
Take advantage of the Arkansas pass defense
Arkansas has given up the third most points of any team in the SEC this season, with the only ones that allowed more being Florida and Mississippi State. While the team’s run defense has landed them in the middle of the pack in conference standings, its passing defense has been abysmal.
Currently, the Razorbacks have allowed 2,396 yards in the air from opponents this season, second to last in the SEC. With the weapons Texas has at wide receiver, it is critical that the passing game, as it has been throughout the year, remains the focal point of the offense.
Junior quarterback Quinn Ewers had been inconsistent since returning from his injury on Oct. 12, but seems to be finding his rhythm once again. After reaching 300-plus passing yards for the first time this season and throwing for a career-high five touchdowns against Florida, Ewers has some momentum heading into Saturday’s matchup.
Junior wide receivers Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden should have no hard time finding open space with their speed to slice through the Arkansas secondary. Bond and fellow wide receiver DeAndre Moore Jr. are tied for seventh in the SEC with five receiving touchdowns, while Golden is tied for fifth with six receiving touchdowns.
Contain Arkansas’ Taylen Green
Despite the team’s record, redshirt junior Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green could pose a major threat to the Longhorns. Green is currently fourth in the SEC in pass yards but also has the ability to run the ball. Green has the third most rush yards of a quarterback in the SEC with 411 and five rushing touchdowns. If he can get out of the pocket, and there are no good reads downfield, he will tuck the ball and run and challenge the defense.
Green has the fourth most pass yards, but he also has the fourth most interceptions in the SEC. Going against a Longhorn defense that has allowed the least total yards per game, the least passing yards and has forced 14 interceptions, Green should have a hard time against the Longhorn secondary.
No big mistakes early
When it comes to mistakes on the field, Texas usually makes them early on. Four of Ewers’ six interceptions have come in the first quarter this season, as well as a lost fumble in the first quarter against Georgia. When he’s at his best, Ewers has proven to be one of the best quarterbacks in college football, but when these little mistakes arise they potentially hurt the team and can stifle any momentum they may have in the game.
