Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
ARKANSAS VS. SOUTH CAROLINA: HOW WE SEE IT
CLAY HENRY, HAWGS
ILLUSTRATED The key will be getting some pressure on South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley. That was the recipe for Texas A&M in a fourth-quarter rally. Both teams have are trying to figure out their best five in the offensive line, but the Gamecocks seem to have fewer answers there. This is a doable mission for the Razorbacks. The Gamecocks aren’t bad on defense, so it may come down to fewer big plays on both sides of the ball. The doubt in picking the Hogs in a game like that is that no one has a clue what Connor Limpert will do in a big field goal situation. I’ll go with the more experienced quarterback: Austin Allen. Arkansas, 28-20. DUDLEY E. DAWSON, HAWGS ILLUSTRATED
Unless it’s Alabama, Georgia or Auburn playing, you could pretty much pick the winner of SEC games by taking a
name out of a hat and have as much success as the so-called experts. Since the Razorbacks moved the ball better against Texas A&M than the Gamecocks, I’m taking the visitors. Arkansas, 24-20. BART POHLMAN, SPORTS TALK WITH BO
While Arkansas got back on the winning track against New Mexico State, there are still issues that will likely hurt the team in SEC play. Expect Jake Bentley to have a big day as the Hogs struggle to keep up. South Carolina, 31-28. MATT JONES, WHOLE
HOG SPORTS In a toss-up, the best bet is to go with the team that can score. The Razorbacks’ offense has scored 85 points the past two weeks, while the Gamecocks haven’t looked the same since Deebo Samuel’s injury, with only 47 combined points the last three weeks against Kentucky, Louisiana Tech and Texas A&M. This is where a fifth-year senior quarterback could become key. Arkansas, 28-20. HARRY KING, HAWGS ILLUSTRATED The keys are simple — run the ball effectively and don’t let quarterback Jake Bentley break containment. Arkansas, 28-24. BO MATTINGLY, SPORTS TALK WITH BO If Arkansas can keep its offensive momentum from last
week, it will have a chance on the road at South Carolina. The Gamecocks are not the same offensive threat without star wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Arkansas, 28-24. TOMMY CRAFT, ESPN ARKANSAS Does Arkansas have the mental toughness to go on the road and win an SEC game? South Carolina’s offensive line has just as many problems as Arkansas. This one comes down to which team plays better on defense and limits mental mistakes. South Carolina, 38-28. CHIP SOUZA, NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
South Carolina looked solid against Texas A&M and had a chance to win its game against the Aggies. Sound familiar? The Razorbacks will have to continue to build on their run game, but this is a tough place to play for any opponent. Arkansas appears to be the better team. Arkansas 28-17.