Tennessee Volunteers (4-5, 0-5 SEC) vs. #8 Arkansas Razorbacks (8-1, 4-1 SEC)
If it weren’t for the unparalleled dominance of LSU and Alabama (indeed, Alabama’s only slip-up has come against LSU themselves) the Arkansas Razorbacks would look like a helluva football team. But, having only one loss and being ranked in the Top 10, the Hogs sit third on the heap in the SEC West division.
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville AR
Saturday, Nov. 12, 6:00 pm EST
NCAA Odds from Sportsbook.com:
MoneyLine: Tennessee +450, Arkansas -600
Spread: Tennessee +14, Arkansas -14
Over/Under: 55
It hardly looks like Tennessee will be the team to slow the Hogs down. An intriguing young Volunteers team was derailed badly this season with injuries to their vaunted passing game, the Sherbet and White just hasn’t been the same since. No matter how much shoddy luck a team gets, with a team as prestigious as the Volunteers it is tough to swallow a winless SEC record. There is a few weeks left in the regular season to rectify that, but any way you slice it, it’s been a trying year for Tennessee and its fans.
Arkansas looks to continue cruising on the strength of its offense. The Hogs rank in the Top 10 in passing yards (registering nearly 320 per contest) and also sit 15th in the FBS in scoring offense. The run game is average, but it has dealt with attrition and it does enough to keep opposing defenses honest. What makes this Razorbacks team different than earlier editions is its respectable defense; Arkansas hovers nearly the top third in the FBS in points against and with an attack as potent as they possess, that is more than enough to win most games.
The Vols have significant absences on both sides of the ball. If it weren’t enough to cope with starting QB Tyler Bray and receiving threat Justin Hunter being out, UT is also without starting LB Herman Lathers and starting safety Brent Brewer. Back-up QB Matt Simms has not been able to adequately replace Bray, and that’s where the problems begin. Starting RB Tauren Poole is doing his best to pick up the slack, but he is no Trent Richardson (Alabama) or Michael Dyer (Auburn). Hopefully things go better on the hardwood for Tennessee in 2011-12. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Arkansas should use the vertical passing game to hurt the visitors and the loud atmosphere at Razorback Stadium should get the Hogs’ underrated defense flowing downhill with a fury. Poole may find a running lane here or there, but it likely won’t be enough for any sustained scoring for the Vols. In addition, Arkansas’ running backs may find some nice yields, as the Tennessee defense could be overly worried about getting beat deep.
Even with the concern of Tennessee’s defensive coaching staff and the Vols’s back seven, the deep ball might still be prominent. Hogs QB Tyler Wilson is having a great season, he is closing in on 3,000 passing yards and WR Jarius Wright is a huge threat, with nine TDs. Stumpy junior RB Dennis Johnson has also emerged as a factor, averaging a healthy 6.2 yards per clip as he has been given time with the absence of starter Knile Davis. The Arkansas offensive line is big and nasty.
It is a shame to see Tennessee getting plastered so badly, it is rather a down time in the SEC East (it hasn’t been often lately that Florida has sucked) but the Vols have not been able to reap the benefits. I’d like to see their fortunes change this weekend on the road, but it almost certainly won’t happen.
Expect Arkansas to bag a couple more wins (Mississippi State next week) before a season-ending key showdown with LSU.
Score Prediction: Arkansas 35, Tennessee 12
Over/Under Prediction: 47
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