Toe injury, and it certainly didn't seem to have any effect on his cutting ability.
Good question. Last year, if I recall correctly, they were in their third game of the season. There is no doubt the team got better as the season progressed.
One of the keys I see in this game is Arkansas losing 7 starters on defense, and just returning (this week) Harrison who is the best player they have on defense. Robinson (I think that's the guys name) plays the other DT position so they are strong up front. I see that situation breaking down like this...
They'll get a push up the middle, but that's going to be counter acted with one thing the game film hasn't shown this season. We worked a lot on the quick, true screens in the spring and fall, and that is the quickest way to get the DL tentative in their rushing. Add to that we have the speed with Grant to get to the corners as long as our tackles can contain the DE's. There is no doubt Smith can on the left side. The question is the right side. But, I suspect on those plays we'll see one of the three TE's in rotation helping along those lines.
Their secondary is questionable, at best. John Parker Wilson hasn't been his "old self" the last few weeks, but has had a good week in practice, isn't making mistakes, and knowing him like I do he'll come out this weekend. Last year, his rating was some unheard of number in this game. Something like 231.
So, it now comes back to the defense. I don't have a doubt that our DE's and OLB's can contain the outside lanes. Now, I'm not saying we'll stop the Arkansas running game, but it can be contained. The question mark I have is in the middle, and that is if the NG/DT's can at least take up a few bodies to allow the MLB's to hit the gaps in the middle. Our ILB's can contain the run, it is probably their best talent trait.
My thoughts on who wins...
IF we can keep them around the 200 yard mark rushing, and make Dick throw the ball 20-25 times, we can come out of this with a win.
While part of me thinks that it'll be a close game, I can't help but think this very well may be a lot like the '99 game in T-town. Last week, we were able to get into Nickson's head on the second play they had from scrimmage. Can we with Casey? We've been able, the last two weeks, to score very quickly on the first snap. If we do against Arkansas, score quickly that is, I see it a lot like the game in '02.
One thing I'll add. While this game has depicted the season in the last few years for both squads, it didn't when Stallings was on the sidelines. Even with a loss, I don't see it the same way this year because we don't have a DuBose or Shula on the sideline. (fRan never lost to them)
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