2015 CFB Preview – Arkansas


Arkansas
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The game of football isn’t all that difficult.

By Pete Fiutak | @PeteFiutak

The teams that are really, really good at blocking and tackling are usually better than the teams that are just okay at blocking and tackling.

There’s a place in football for the fancy. If there’s a loophole in the rules, or a gimmick to be exploited, or a different way to move the chains, or a more effective way to stop an attack, coaches are going to try to do whatever is necessary. But sometimes an offense needs to simply line up, get tough, and pound away.

What Bret Bielema is doing at Arkansas is leveling the playing field in an SEC world loaded with superstar talents. The Hog program might get a few four-and-five-star types here and there, but it’s next to impossible to keep up in the arms race against the Alabamas, LSUs and others in the division, much less the entire league.

So if you can’t beat them in the recruiting game, beat them up on the field.

There’s no substitute for incredible talent, but outside of being Oregon or Auburn and winning because the scheme and system are so strong – along with having some terrific players in place to run it – the easiest way to win is play football with a relatively simple idea and scheme that’s able to negate tremendous skill, for the most part.

Snap the ball, let the big bodies smash into smaller bodies, and let the talented running backs take care of the rest.

Wisconsin has turned into a powerhouse with okay players who fit the system, and Bielema needed a while to change around Arkansas to fit that type. The Badgers have had more speed and skill than many believe, but they’ve been able to hang with the SEC teams over the years because the style of play works.

Bielema and Arkansas had to find the big, giant human beings to work that system, and he had to get his tough guy defensive mindset in place. It took a little while, but once it all started to work … boom.

Last season was the equivalent of a team wearing down an opponent as the game went on. Arkansas had its chances to beat Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia in three tough battles, and it had Mississippi State in trouble, but it’s a long, long SEC season. In the war of attrition, the Hogs are getting going just as LSU and Ole Miss were wearing down. The result was a strong finishing kick, a dominant win over Texas for a bowl win, and a bright future.

The defense needs some massive improvements, but the easiest way to help ease in the new parts is for the offense to hang on to the ball for most of the game. Problem solved with an attack that gets back most of the key parts including four starters on the line, the running back tandem of Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, and a solid starting quarterback in Brandon Allen.

Everything has been building towards this over the last two seasons, and now Arkansas is ready to block and tackle even better.

Teams know the steamroller is coming, but they won’t be able to get out of the way.

What You Need To Know About The Offense: New offensive coordinator/former Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos isn’t going to mess with what’s working, but he’ll try to spread the ball around a little bit more with the passing game while continuing to pound away with the tremendous ground attack. The line is undergoing some reshuffling, but four starters are back to what should be one of the nation’s best blocking units. The 1-2 rushing punch of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins will be devastating, taking the pressure off the passing game. Brandon Allen is a veteran quarterback who should be fine, but he needs more out of a middling receiving corps that needs more pop.

What You Need To Know About The Defense: The defense got better and better as the year went on and ended up dominating against the run. The Hogs finished tenth in the nation in total D and had the 12th-best run defense, but some of the key parts are gone including pass rusher Trey Flowers and star linebacker Martrell Spaight. Even so, this is a rising group with good depth and plenty of options to work around Taiwan Johnson on the defensive front and rising linebacker Brooks Ellis, who can play inside or out. The secondary needs to be a bit tighter, but there’s good size and some decent playmakers in safety Rohan Gaines and corner Jared Collins.

What to watch for on offense: There’s talent and experience up front, and a whole bunch of beef. Now the offensive line is going to be tinkered with a bit to become even more effective. Dan Skipper was a superstar prospect and has grown into an all-star blocker at left tackle, and now he’ll move over to the right side while All-SEC guard Denver Kirkland will step in at Skipper’s old spot. Mitch Smothers can play at guard, but he spent all of last year at center and will stay there, while Sebastian Tretola will return at left guard. Sophomore Frank Ragnow is the new starting element in the mix, but he’s a center who’ll move in at right guard. Keep that all in pencil with more changes sure to come, but no matter how it works out, this should be among the SEC’s most effective blocking units.

What to watch for on defense: Several key parts have to be replaced from a D that grew into a killer as the season wore on. The Hogs got hit for 45 by Auburn and Georgia, but that was about it for the problems, allowing a total of 62 points over the final six games. Pass rushing star Trey Flowers is gone on one end and Darius Philon took off early after starring on the inside. All-SEC star linebacker Martrell Spaight is off to the NFL, and leading defensive back Alan Turner is done, too. Even so, there’s a young group of rising options at several spots, with SS Rohan Gaines the only senior projected to start. Can the consistency be there against the run? It all comes down to how quickly the leaders can rise up to work around.

The team will be far better if … the offense always scores when it gets its chances. The Hogs are going to hang on to the ball for 12 years and they’re not going to make a slew of mistakes as they control the clock and games, but they have to always put the biscuit in the basket. The placekicking wasn’t outstanding, but it was okay with three options combining to hit 9-of-14 field goals. Overall, Arkansas scored just 78.5% of the time in the red zone and came up with touchdowns on 64% of its chances. Considering there were five losses by a touchdown or less, not scoring six times in those games when getting inside the 20 was a problem.

The schedule: Toledo will be one of the favorites to win the MAC, but c’mon. UTEP, Toledo, and Texas Tech – even an improved Texas Tech – is a good way to ease into a season.
– Throw in a layup against UT Martin, and the Hogs give the SEC non-conference schedule naysayers a ton of ammunition.
– While the SEC opener against Texas A&M is on a neutral site – in AT&T Stadium in Arlington – it’s still the start of a month-long stretch away from home.
– Part of that run includes games at Tennessee and Alabama in back-to-back weeks. With back-to-back road games in November against Ole Miss and LSU as well, all of a sudden, the easy non-conference slate makes more sense.
– WATCH OUT FOR … The LSU game in Death Valley on November 14th. Win that, and with Mississippi State and Missouri at home to close out the regular season, Arkansas could be a major player in the SEC West race.

Best offensive player: Junior TE Hunter Henry. The stars of the show are in the backfield with the terrific rushing tandem of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins leading the way, but the pro types are giving the longest look at Henry, a 6-5, 250-pound receiver who caught 37 passes for 513 yards and two touchdowns with the ability to stretch the field and great route running skills. Expect him to play an even bigger role this year, even as a blocker. You can’t play tight end under this staff without being able to deliver a pop.

Best defensive player: Junior LB Brooks Ellis. Martrell Spaight turned into the start of the defense last season on the weakside, doing a little of everything as the tone-setter who was always around the ball coming up with 128 tackles. Ellis was No. 2 on the team coming up with 72 stops in the middle, missing two games hurt. He’s smart enough to be a leader for the front seven, and athletic enough to shine on the weakside, he’ll get a long look there taking over for Spaight where he should be a statistical monster.

Key player to a successful season: Junior DE Deatrich Wise, Jr. A terrific recruit for the program with size, athleticism, and the ability to get behind the line with a good burst, he was okay as part of the rotation in his first two years, but he didn’t dominate. JaMichael Winston spent most of last year on one side, and he’s back, but it was Trey Flowers who dominated on the other side – Wise has to step up and replace Flowers’ lost production. There have been moments, making 13 tackles with two sacks last season, but the inconsistent 6-5, 271-pound has to turn into a major factor.

The season will be a success if … Arkansas comes really, really close to winning the SEC West. There might be too many concerns on defense and not enough pop to the passing game to win the best division in college football, but Arkansas should be a major player. Getting to ten wins is a must if the Hogs are able to own their home games, and if they can split the road games at LSU and Alabama – and can get by Ole Miss in Oxford – then look out.

Key game: Oct. 10 at Alabama. If this is going to be the season Arkansas is hoping for, getting by Tennessee on the road is a must and beating teams like Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri at home is a necessity, but a win over Alabama will make this truly special. Remember, Arkansas was an SWC program for a long, long time before joining the SEC. Despite being only 550 miles away from Alabama, the two schools have only played 25 times. The Hogs have lost the last eight in the series and haven’t won on the road since beating a bad Tide team 34-31 in 2003.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Time of Possession: Arkansas 34:03 – Opponents 25:57
– Fourth Down Conversions: Arkansas 12-of-19 – Opponents 4-of-18
– Rushing Yards Per Game: Arkansas 218 – Opponents 114.6

Players You Need To Know

1. TE Hunter Henry, Jr.
As Bret Bielema was building the talent level up, he didn’t do much early on with the wide receivers. However, he landed a stud of a tight end in Henry, a 6-5, 250-pound receiver who runs great routes, has excellent hands, and can pop a bit for the ground game. He looks and plays up to the NFL part with starting next-level skills, but it would be nice if he could get the ball his way a bit more. He only caught 37 passes for 513 yards and two touchdowns, but double that – at least – in a better passing attack. He can stretch the field, can run midrange routes, and knows how to move the chains. He looks and plays the part.

2. RB Alex Collins, Jr.
After all of the drama and all of the craziness to get him to finally sign on to join the program – his mom wasn’t too excited about her son choosing Arkansas over Miami – he has played up to the hype and has been more than worth it. The 5-11, 224-pounder has size, quickness, and he’s getting bigger and tougher, packing on a few pounds to be able to handle more of the workload. There’s more than enough work in the Arkansas rotation, and he made the most of the effort getting the ball 204 times for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 5.39 yards per pop. If he had to be the main man, his numbers would be astronomical rushing for 212 yards and two scores against Texas Tech and 131 yards on 21 carries against Texas A&M. However, he can be shut down at times running for just 13 yards on six carries against Alabama and averaged under 4.5 yards per carry over the last four games. Even so, he’s a next-level talent who won’t catch, but can bring the power and a little bit of speed.

3. RB Jonathan Williams, Sr.
Alex Collins might have a wee bit more overall talent, but Williams was the leading rusher last season with 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns on 211 carries. Dominant against Texas Tech, he scored four times with 145 yards as part of a great run over the first half of the season with nine scores over the first six games. At 6-0 and 224 pounds he has the size and can provide a thump with his combination of size and speed. While he can make things happen on his own with his cutback skills, he’s at his best when he gets into a lather. He’s not a receiver, but he can catch a little bit with two touchdowns on his 11 catches.

4. OT Denver Kirkland, Jr.
It doesn’t matter where he can play – he’ll produce anywhere. The All-SEC performer spent last season starting all 13 games at right guard and destroying everything in his path for the ground game. The coaching staff, though, sees even bigger things for the massive 6-5, 343-pound junior. While he’s not an NFL left tackle, he’s going to move to the outside and get a shot on the left side where he has just enough athleticism to be okay in pass protection, and when it’s time to spring things for the ground game, look out. Versatile, he can play anywhere on the line but center and be a star.

5. OT Dan Skipper, Jr.
A superstar all-around recruit for the program in 2012, he used his 6-10, 307-pound body as a dangerous kick blocker as well as a key lineman. He spent the first season working at left guard – even though he’s a bit tall for a position – and worked all of last season at left tackle. There were a few hiccups here and there, but he was still good enough to receiving all-star mention as a key part of the big-time ground game. This year he’ll move over to the right side, but with his frame and his experience, he can shine at either tackle spot.

6. LB Brooks Ellis, Jr.
Very consistent and very active, the 6-2, 237-pounder finished second on the team with 72 tackles despite missing two games in the middle of the year with a knee injury. Tough enough to handle himself well inside, and quick enough to now move to the weakside, he’s a pure hitter who can run just fine in pass coverage. While he’s not going to be a big-time playmaker when the ball is in the air, he came up with two picks and can bring a little pressure into the backfield from time to time.

7. QB Brandon Allen, Sr.
A complete and total afterthought in a league with plenty of splashy quarterbacks, and in an offense that lives with a pounding running game, the 6-2, 210-pound Allen has still managed to do just fine. He could stand to be a bit more accurate – completing just 56% of his throws – but most importantly in the flow of this attack, he doesn’t throw interceptions with just five on the season. He did what he needed to do, throwing for 200 yards or more in four straight games after going for 199 in two straight games. While there’s no real mobility, when needed, the arm is there to bomb away.

8. SS Rohan Gaines, Sr.
The lone senior expected to start in the secondary, the 5-11, 195-pounder isn’t bulky, and he’s not built like a strong safety, but he can hit. No, he’s not going to bring a huge pop, but he’ll tackle making 59 stops in a consistent year. While he’s not a top pass defender, he came up with one of the seasons’ definitive moments with a 100-yard pick six in the blowout over Ole Miss. Suspended for the bowl game for a violation of team rules, he now needs to be a true leader for a secondary that needs to be a bit tighter.

9. DT Taiwan Johnson, Jr.
One of the only veterans back up front, the 6-2, 273-pound bowling ball is quick, tough against the run, and strong enough to play on the nose if needed. While he’s built to sit in the middle as an anchor, he’ll slide one spot over and could be even more of a pass rusher after coming up with 4.5 sacks with eight tackles for loss. He made 26 tackles, but it was his job to hold up and occupy blockers. Expect an all-star caliber season as a rising star in the interior.

10. WR Keon Hatcher, Sr.
The Hogs don’t bomb away, but the 6-2, 210-pound Hatcher has big play potential averaging 13 yards per grab with a team-leading 43 catches for 558 yards and six touchdowns, scoring in each of the last three games. He only had one 100-yard day – catching six passes for 107 yards and a touchdown against Northern Illinois – but he has the talent and speed to do far more as a deep threat.

Head Coach: Bret Bielema
3rd year: 10-16
10th year overall: 78-39
Schedule
Sept. 5 UTEP
Sept. 12 Toledo
Sept. 19 Texas Tech
Sept. 26 Texas A&M (in Arlington)
Oct. 3 at Tennessee
Oct. 10 at Alabama
Oct. 17 OPEN DATE
Oct. 24 Auburn
Oct. 31 UT Martin
Nov. 7 at Ole Miss
Nov. 14 at LSU
Nov. 21 Miss State
Nov. 28 Missouri
Ten Best Arkansas Players
1. TE Hunter Henry, Jr.
2. RB Alex Collins, Jr.
3. RB Jonathan Williams, Sr.
4. OT Denver Kirkland, Jr.
5. OT Dan Skipper, Jr.
6. LB Brooks Ellis, Jr.
7. QB Brandon Allen, Sr.
8. SS Rohan Gaines, Sr.
9. DT Taiwan Johnson, Jr.
10. WR Keon Hatcher, Sr.