Arkansas vs. No. 24 Texas A&M
When: 2:30 p.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington
Records: Arkansas (3-1); Texas A&M (3-1)
Last meeting: Texas A&M def. Arkansas, 34-22, on Sept. 30, 2023
TV: ESPN
What’s at stake?
Is the Southwest Classic one of the most underrated rivalries in college football? That seems to be the case if the past 10 years are any indication. This matchup of old Southwest Conference foes is rarely dull, with six of the last 10 games being decided by single digits, including three overtime affairs.
As exciting as the rivalry has been, it’s also been pretty one-sided, with A&M taking 11 of the past 12 matchups. Arkansas looks to snap its losing skid not just to bring the Southwest Classic trophy back to Fayetteville, Ark. for the second time since 2011, but to extinguish some of the flames surrounding coach Sam Pittman’s job security.
For the Aggies, Saturday is more or less about taking care of business and continuing their string of success against the Razorbacks, regardless of who is at quarterback. Coach Mike Elko will be tasked with sending redshirt freshman QB Marcel Reed or redshirt sophomore QB Conner Weigman out with the offense, albeit with Weigman labeled as “questionable” on the student-athlete availability report.
Both programs look to improve to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in SEC play ahead of a pair of daunting matchups. Next week, A&M welcomes No. 11 Missouri to Kyle Field while Arkansas hosts No. 5 Tennessee. A victory this weekend gives the winner momentum and a bit of confidence, while the loser could be looking at a slippery slope.
When Texas A&M has the ball
For the third week in a row, questions persist under center for the Aggies between Reed and Weigman, who continues to work his way back from an AC sprain in his throwing shoulder. Elko said Wednesday that he’s “hopeful” Weigman will be available this weekend after not appearing in wins over Florida and Bowling Green.
Whoever is at quarterback for A&M, they’ll be inclined to air it out against the conference’s worst passing defense. The Razorbacks are surrendering 242.3 yards per game with six touchdowns allowed this season, despite intercepting six passes. The Aggies are still waiting for a receiver to rise above the rest, and the Southwest Classic could offer some answers.
Arkansas has proven to be much stronger in defending the run, allowing just 82.3 yards per game to rank fourth in the SEC. A&M has built its offensive identity on the ground with a strong stable of running backs and the dual-threat Reed at quarterback. If the Aggies can’t get much going with their rushing attack, expect them to opt for more passing plays.
Sophomore defensive back TJ Metcalf has half of Arkansas’ interceptions while leading the team with 26 tackles and a forced fumble. Redshirt junior linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. is right behind with 25 tackles, a team-high three tackles for loss and a sack. Senior DB Doneiko Slaughter completes the three-headed monster with 24 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack with a pick and three pass breakups.
When Arkansas has the ball
In the past three years, A&M attempted to corral the Arkansas bulldozer that was fifth-year QB KJ Jefferson, now at UCF. Jefferson used his 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame to barrel through the Aggies’ defensive line and had his most productive game in 2022, when he ran for 105 yards and a touchdown in a 23-21 A&M win.
Jefferson may be playing in Orlando, Fla. now, but A&M is once again tasked with containing a dual-threat quarterback. Boise State transfer QB and Lewisville native Taylen Green has the keys to offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s offense now, and he’s wasted little time showing what he can do with his legs.
Green is second on the team with 325 rushing yards and four touchdowns behind Utah transfer RB Ja’Quinden Jackson’s 472 yards and eight touchdowns. Jackson makes his return to the Metroplex after leading Duncanville to state championship appearances in 2018 and 2019 as the Panthers’ quarterback.
Not the biggest fan of the QB spy, but I think you have to make Scooby Williams do it on third-and-long when Taylen Green can do this pic.twitter.com/T7h0MkMRqN
— Mathias Cubillan (@mathiascubillan) September 24, 2024
The Razorbacks boast the fourth-best rushing offense in the SEC at 240 yards per game while leading conference with 17 touchdowns on the ground. After spearheading A&M’s offense last season, Petrino has taken his “feed the studs” mentality to Arkansas, helping it rank third in the SEC in total offense at 524 yards per game.
The Hogs aren’t afraid to air it out, either, with 284 passing yards per game, but have thrown for just four scores, good for second-worst in the conference. Redshirt senior wide receiver and Dallas product Andrew Armstrong is Arkansas’ leading receiver with 23 catches for 348 yards, but has yet to find the end zone.
The Aggies’ defensive line is showing improvement in holding its past two opponents to under 100 rushing yards, and that trend must continue against a Razorback offense that will keep A&M on its toes. Stopping the run is part of each level of the defense, and sophomore LB Taurean York and Florida transfer LB Scooby Williams will shoulder the responsibility in keeping Green under control.
Prediction
The Southwest Classic is a game where it feels like all bets can be thrown out the window. Arkansas was 14th in the SEC Preseason Media Poll, while the jury is still out on whether A&M could be a very good team or just a solid one. No matter the trajectory of each teams’ season, they seem to play their best football of the season at Jerry World.
The Aggies have played each of the past three matchups with a backup quarterback under center, and that trend could continue this weekend if Reed gets the call. He’s elicited “oohs” and “ahhs” from fans with his running ability, but Saturday should allow him to showcase his passing prowess against a struggling Razorback air defense.
Arkansas will surely test A&M with arguably the best offense it’s seen this season, but one has to imagine last week’s six-point win over Bowling Green served as a wakeup call for the Aggies. They bounced back with a 42-point win over McNeese State following the season-opening letdown to Notre Dame. Let’s see if A&M can once again turn disappointment into a bounce-back win.
Score: Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 20
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