Detailed looks at each side of the ball help to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each team in terms of size and experience but they do more than that too. Look at the charts closely below. While the quarterbacks, running backs, linebackers and safeties are pitted such as QB vs. QB, the line and receiver/cornerback positions are Ark. v. ULL for more direct comparisons.
Looking at the game this way, you can see how the teams will line up against one another, and understanding that Arkansas will play to its strengths as ULL will do to theirs, the game play starts to develop.
As you might expect, in the lines, the linebackers, the running backs, wide receivers and even quarterback, Arkansas’ SEC players are about 20 lbs. heavier on average than Lafayette’s players and mostly a shade taller. Such advantage for the Razorbacks disappears and even tilts in favor of the Rajun Cajuns’ wide receivers versus Arkansas’ cornerbacks and safety positions in size and experience.
If the players played exactly at their positions, both sides have some holes that they need to plug.
Hogs’ Offense v. Rajun Cajuns’ Defense
If ULL sticks with three down linemen, Saturday would be the right day for Brandon Allen to practice his run audibles. The Hogs’ backfield shapes up as an I formation backfield with Kiero Small and/or a pulling lineman leading the way. It simply depends upon how ULL is lined up. Likely the Lafayette defensive tackles will tend to cheat over Arkansas’ tight ends, given their experience and our lack of experience there, as well as their game experience at linebacker which doubles that of the Hogs’ offensive line. If Swanson can move ULL’s experienced nose guard Justin Hamilton by himself, then the whole dynamic changes. Kiero Small might actually carry the ball in really old school fullback dive plays up the middle. It would be the pounding ball control that we’re expecting out of Bielema’s offenses which have had the highest time of possession in all of college football for two of the last six years. Arkansas receivers to have a size and experience advantage, but Bielema’s offenses over the last six years have trended from a low of 61% rushing plays in 2006 up to a high of 68% rushing plays in 2012. The scenario lends itself to throws along the sidelines or deep but not over the middle toward the ULL linebackers who will tend to drop into coverage if Arkansas has difficulty running the ball.
Hogs’ Defense v. Rajun Cajuns’ Offense
The Hogs would have a glaring hole on defense up the middle leaving the inexperienced linebacking corps exposed to experience of ULL’s center and right guard if the defensive tackles and ends played to their positions. Clearly the Hog’s tackles will have to line up more at guard or in the gap for this game or the Rajun Cajuns will run it up the middle all day long just as Arkansas might consider doing.
Clearly the Hogs have a hole in coverage of three wide receivers for ULL. In all likelihood, the Razorbacks will have Rohan Gaines come up to cover the third receiver, but no matter how you look at it, it’s a mismatch size-wise. All ULL receivers will have 3 to 4 inches on their counterparts or risk having an Arkansas linebacker matched on one of their receivers. Realizing that nothing directly can be done about that, getting pressure on the quarterback would be nice. The Rajun Cajuns’ offensive line has the least experience at left guard and right tackle. For that matter, the left tackle position doesn’t have an abundance of experience either. The trade off for ULL may be to play both very experienced TEs to help the tackles. Ideally the Hogs would place pressure on the quarterback with solely a four-man rush which could be possible here; however, it would require Bryan Jones to step up and get penetration into the backfield more than he has previously. (See previous post with full career stats.) Sending a linebacker, especially delayed over their inexperienced positions may be a way for the Razorbacks to get a rush on QB Terrance Broadway.
Look at it for yourself. How do you see it playing out?
The 1 and 2 and “or” players are included for each chart. Height is represented in inches. (For the mathematically challenged, 6 ft. is 72 inches. ) Under Class, Sr.=4, Jr.=3, So.=2, and RFr. & Fr.= 1.
Arkansas QBs v. ULL QBs
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB: | 1 | Brandon Allen | 75 | 218 | 2 | 5 | vs. | QB | 1 | Terrance Broadway | 74 | 211 | 3 | 13 |
| QB: | 2 | A.J. Derby | 77 | 245 | 3 | 0 | vs. | QB | 2 | Brooks Haack | 73 | 215 | 1 | 0 |
| QB: | Averages | 76 | 231.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | vs. | QB | Averages | 73.5 | 213 | 2 | 6.5 |
Arkansas RBs v. ULL RBs
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RB: | 1 | Jonathan Williams | 72 | 222 | 2 | 11 | vs. | RB | 1 | Alonzo Harris | 73 | 216 | 3 | 24 |
| RB: | 2 | Alex Collins | 71 | 206 | 1 | 0 | vs. | RB | 2 | Elijah McGuire | 71 | 185 | 1 | 0 |
| FB: | 1 | Kiero Small | 70 | 242 | 4 | 14 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| FB: | 2 | Patrick Arinze | 71 | 245 | 3 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| RB | Averages | 71 | 228.75 | 2.5 | 6.25 | vs. | RB | Averages | 72 | 200.5 | 2 | 12 |
Arkansas Offensive Line vs. ULL Defensive Line
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE: | 1 | Mitchell Loewen | 76 | 272 | 2 | 5 | vs. | DE | 1 | Dominique Tovell | 74 | 248 | 2 | 25 |
| TE: | 2 | Hunter Henry | 78 | 250 | 1 | 0 | vs. | DE | 2 | Chris Prater | 77 | 315 | 2 | 9 |
| TE: | 3 | Jeremy Sprinkle | 78 | 250 | 1 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| LT: | 1 | David Hurd | 78 | 318 | 4 | 13 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| LT: | 2 | Dan Skipper | 82 | 317 | 1 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| LG: | 1 | Mitch Smothers | 76 | 315 | 2 | 7 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| LG: | 2 | Austin Beck | 79 | 305 | 2 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| C: | 1 | Travis Swanson | 77 | 315 | 4 | 38 | vs. | NT | 1 | Justin Hamilton | 73 | 288 | 3 | 21 |
| C: | 2 | Luke Charpentier | 76 | 316 | 3 | 15 | vs. | NT | 2 | Marvin Martin | 76 | 261 | 1 | 0 |
| RG: | 1 | Brey Cook | 79 | 330 | 3 | 23 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| RG: | 2 | Cordale Boyd | 75 | 310 | 1 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| RT: | 1 | Grady Ollison | 77 | 307 | 2 | 5 | vs. | DE | 1 | Christian Ringo | 73 | 288 | 3 | 21 |
| RT: | 2 | Denver Kirkland | 77 | 345 | 1 | 0 | vs. | DE | 2 | Blain Winston | 76 | 261 | 1 | 0 |
| OL | Averages | 77.5 | 303.8 | 2.08 | 8.2 | vs. | DL | Averages | 74.8 | 276.8 | 2 | 12.7 |
Arkansas Wide Receivers vs. ULL Cornerbacks
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR: | 1 | Julian Horton | 73 | 205 | 4 | 38 | vs. | CB | 1 | Jevante Watson | 70 | 175 | 2 | 12 |
| WR: | 2 | Keon Hatcher | 74 | 210 | 2 | 10 | vs. | CB | 2 | Corey Trim | 71 | 180 | 3 | 0 |
| WR: | 1 | Javontee Herndon | 73 | 197 | 4 | 36 | vs. | CB | 1 | Sean Thomas | 70 | 170 | 3 | 22 |
| WR: | 2 | Eric Hawkins | 72 | 185 | 1 | 0 | vs. | CB | 2 | Cedrick Tillman | 69 | 180 | 3 | 0 |
| WR: | Averages | 73 | 199.25 | 2.75 | 21 | vs. | CB | Averages | 70 | 176.25 | 2.75 | 8.5 |
Arkansas Defensive Line vs. ULL Offensive Line
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE: | 1 | Chris Smith | 75 | 270 | 4 | 31 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| DE: | 2 | Brandon Lewis | 77 | 260 | 1 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| DT: | 1 | Robert Thomas | 75 | 325 | 4 | 24 | vs. | LT | 1 | Mykhael Quave | 77 | 295 | 2 | 13 |
| DT: | 2 | Demarcus Hodge | 73 | 345 | 2 | 3 | vs. | LT | 2 | Jarad Martin | 77 | 310 | 3 | 15 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | LG | 1 | Terry Johnson | 74 | 275 | 3 | 10 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | LG | 2 | Zach Tarver | 76 | 267 | 1 | 0 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | C | 1 | Andre Huval | 74 | 285 | 4 | 35 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | C | 2 | Evyn Perry | 74 | 271 | 4 | 3 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | RG | 1 | Daniel Quave | 75 | 324 | 3 | 26 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | RG | 2 | Dainel Lemell | 74 | 282 | 4 | 7 |
| DT: | 1 | Byran Jones | 74 | 318 | 4 | 35 | vs. | RT | 1 | Octravian Anderson | 76 | 277 | 2 | 6 |
| DT: | 2 | Darius Philon | 75 | 330 | 1 | 0 | vs. | RT | 2 | Greg Siener | 76 | 280 | 2 | 4 |
| DE: | 1 | Trey Flowers | 74 | 265 | 3 | 25 | vs. | TE | 1 | Ian Thompson | 76 | 234 | 4 | 38 |
| DE: | 2 | Deatrich Wise Jr. | 78 | 275 | 1 | 2 | vs. | TE | 2 | Jacob Maxwell | 76 | 240 | 4 | 37 |
| DL | Averages | 75.1 | 298.5 | 2.5 | 15 | vs. | OL | Averages | 75.4 | 278.3 | 3 | 16.2 |
Arkansas Linebackers v. ULL Linebackers
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLB: | 1 | Braylon Mitchell | 75 | 230 | 3 | 17 | vs. | SLB | 1 | Boris Anyama | 75 | 221 | 3 | 20 |
| SLB: | 2 | Martrell Spaight | 72 | 226 | 3 | 0 | vs. | SLB | 2 | Chris Hill | 71 | 188 | 2 | 13 |
| MLB: | 1 | Austin Jones | 74 | 237 | 4 | 2 | vs. | MLB | 1 | Justin Anderson | 74 | 232 | 4 | 32 |
| MLB: | 2 | Brooks Ellis | 74 | 230 | 1 | 0 | vs. | MLB | 2 | Kevin Fourquier | 76 | 232 | 1 | 0 |
| WLB: | 1 | Jarrett Lake | 75 | 235 | 4 | 27 | vs. | WLB | 1 | Andrew Herbert | 74 | 225 | 4 | 20 |
| WLB: | 2 | Daunte Carr | 75 | 235 | 4 | 4 | vs. | WLB | 2 | Darius Barksdale | 72 | 205 | 3 | 8 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | 3 | Jake Molbert | 73 | 217 | 3 | 21 | |
| LB | Averages | 74.2 | 232.2 | 3.17 | 8.3 | vs. | LB | Averages | 73.6 | 217.1 | 2.86 | 16.3 |
Arkansas Cornerbacks vs. ULL Wide Receivers
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB: | 1 | Tevin Mitchel | 72 | 180 | 3 | 21 | vs. | WR | 1 | Jamal Robinson | 76 | 205 | 3 | 23 |
| CB: | 2 | Carroll Washington | 72 | 180 | 3 | 0 | vs. | WR | 2 | Devin Figaro | 75 | 190 | 4 | 5 |
| CB: | 3 | D.J. Dean | 70 | 190 | 1 | 0 | vs. | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| CB: | 1 | Will Hines | 73 | 190 | 2 | 12 | vs. | WR | 1 | Darryl Surgent | 72 | 185 | 4 | 35 |
| CB: | 2 | Jared Collins | 72 | 175 | 1 | 0 | vs. | WR | 2 | Lance Pace | 69 | 179 | 1 | 0 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | WR | 1 | James Butler | 75 | 205 | 3 | 24 | |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | WR | 2 | Jared Johnson | 77 | 215 | 1 | 0 | |
| DB | Averages | 71.8 | 183 | 2 | 6.6 | vs. | WR | Averages | 74 | 196.5 | 2.67 | 14.5 |
Arkansas Safeties vs. ULL Safeties
| Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Gms | vs. | Pos. | Depth | Name | Height | Weight | Class | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SS: | 1 | Rohan Gaines | 71 | 195 | 2 | 12 | vs. | SS | 1 | Trevence Patt | 72 | 178 | 3 | 19 |
| SS: | 2 | Tiquention Coleman | 70 | 195 | 3 | 0 | vs. | SS | 2 | T.J. Worthy | 74 | 195 | 2 | 11 |
| FS: | 1 | Eric Bennett | 72 | 200 | 4 | 36 | vs. | FS | 1 | Rodney Gillis | 71 | 186 | 4 | 24 |
| FS: | 2 | Alan Turner | 72 | 200 | 3 | 20 | vs. | FS | 2 | Will Burrowes | 72 | 202 | 4 | 13 |
| -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | vs. | -- | 3 | Al Riles | 70 | 209 | 2 | 3 |
| S | Averages | 71.3 | 197.5 | 3 | 17 | vs. | S | Averages | 71.8 | 194 | 3 | 14 |
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