TEXAS A&M VS. ARKANSAS
Records: Texas A&M 2-1, Arkansas 2-1. Series history: Arkansas leads 41-29-3.
Key players: Texas A&M — QB Kellen Mond, WR Christian Kirk, SS Armani Watts; Arkansas — QB Austin Allen, RB Devwah Whaley, LB Dre Greenlaw.
Who has the edge
Offense – Texas A&M. The Aggies still are moving the ball — in spurts, at least — regardless of who they trot out at running back, averaging 5.0 yards per carry behind five different backs, including Oak Ridge’s Kwame Etwi, who picked up six carries for 35 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette. With RBs Trayveon Williams and Keith Ford slowed by injuries, Kendall Bussey saw the most carries the last two weeks. He rushed for 88 yards against Louisiana.
Defense – Texas A&M. The Aggies blanked Louisiana in the second half after giving up 21 points in the first 15 minutes, but they’re allowing 448 yards per game. The Razorbacks are surrendering fewer points and yards, but they weren’t able to stop TCU from pulling away in a 28-7 setback, and the Aggies are second in the FBS with 10 takeaways (four INTs, six fumble recoveries). Watts has three, including two interceptions, and Tyrel Dodson supplied a 40-yard pick-six last week. Special teams – Texas A&M. Kirk averages 26 yards per kick return. K Daniel LaCamera has misses from 51 and 52 yards. Otherwise, he’s a perfect 5-of-5 with a long of 48 yards. P Shane Tripucka is fifth in that nation at 48.3 yards per punt. For Arkansas, Deon Stewart’s fumble on a kick return helped the Horned Frogs score two TDs in 14 seconds in the fourth, and K Cole Hedlund missed two FGs in the game.
Notable: Texas A&M is on a five-game winning streak in the series, dating to a 58-10 win in 2012 in College Station. Arkansas won three straight matchups from 2009-11. This is
their fourth consecutive meeting in Arlington, where they’ll meet through 2024. The Razorbacks are commemorating the trip by wearing Dallas Cowboys replica uniforms.
About Texas A&M: The Aggies (2-1) lead the NCAA with a plus-8 turnover margin, which is saving them from a penchant for slow starts and sloppy offensive stretches, including five fumbles of their own (one lost) against Louisiana. Mond completed 21 of 34 passes for 301 yards, three TDs and one INT in their 45-21 win over the Cajuns, and freshman Jacob Kibodi was their most explosive back, carrying four times for 101 yards and a 67-yard TD.
About Arkansas: The Razorbacks (1-1) are angry after the loss to TCU and out for revenge after five consecutive losses to Texas A&M, and they’ve had two weeks to stew on it after a bye in Week 3, making them a dangerous opponent for an up-and-down A&M team in the Southwest Classic. Allen is 23-of-42 passing, with 273 yards, two TDs and one INT. RB Chase Hayden (16-121, 1 TD) is the leading rusher.