Game of the Week Preview: Week 4
Article from @BlitzCFB
Week 4 is headlined by a huge SEC West showdown in “Jerry’s World” between Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Both the Aggies and Razorbacks kicked off their respective season’s with 3 non-conference wins. Texas A&M picked up easy wins against Kent State and New Mexico. Sandwiched in between those 2 games, the Aggies grinded out a win in Denver against Colorado. Starting QB Haynes King left that game due to injury. Zach Calzada has been at the helm ever since.
Arkansas beat Texas in Week 2 in a defining victory for Sam Pittman and his Hogs. The Razorbacks were ranked by the Associated Press for the first time since 2016 following that win. Arkansas also beat Rice in Week 1 and Georgia Southern in Week 3.
This is a critical game in the SEC as both teams are looking to keep pace with Alabama, who is already 1-0 in conference play. The SEC West is one of the most stacked and deepest divisions in college football, so every game is important. Both teams are still in playoff contention as well.
Arkansas offense vs Texas A&M defense
The Texas A&M defense will look to limit the mobility of Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson. Jefferson will have to deal with an elite Texas A&M defense on Saturday. The Aggies defense features many top talents like DeMarvin Leal, Leon O’Neal Jr, Antonio Johnson & many more. This A&M defense has given some solid, mobile QBs trouble. Former Kentucky QB Terry Wilson went 10/23 with 33 passing yards & -14 rushing yards when his Lobos went up against the Aggie defense last week. Kent State QB Dustin Crum struggled mightily, throwing 2 picks. Those 2 QBs are veterans and have experience against top defenses. The Arkansas offense had success against Texas because they were able to run the football. The Hogs had 333 rushing yards compared to only 138 passing yards. Texas A&M has to stop Dominique Johnson, Raheim Sanders, Trelon Smith & the running ability of KJ Jefferson if they want to have success. The Aggies have given up an average of 162 rushing yards per game. They need to hold Arkansas to at or below that average if they want to win.
Texas A&M offense vs Arkansas defense
The big story for Texas A&M’s offense has been the injury of Haynes King. Zach Calzada replaced King in the Colorado game & he struggled. Calzada was 18/38 for 183 yards. He did come up clutch late in the 4th quarter for the Aggies as he threw a game winning TD pass with 2:41 to play. Calzada looked better against New Mexico, throwing for 3 TDs. The good thing for Calzada is that he has plenty of weapons to work with. Desmond Demas & Chase Lane are two solid WRs, Jalen Wydermyer is one of the top TEs in college football & Devon Achane can catch the ball out of the backfield. Calzada also has a great offensive line & running game with Achane, Isaiah Spiller & Ainias Smith. The Aggies elite offensive line will have to deal with a great Razorback linebacking corps with Bumper Pool, Grant Morgan & Hayden Henry. Those 3 have combined for 74 tackles this season. Jalen Catalon is a name to watch out for in the secondary, as he already has 2 picks. The Aggies offense will be tested by a good Arkansas defense, but Calzada has weapons at his disposal to be successful.
What will happen
Many people have been unsure about Texas A&M after Haynes King went out, but Zach Calzada has improved since the Colorado game. Once again, I think the Aggies defense will be the story in this game. They will prove to have one of the best defenses in college football alongside Georgia & Clemson. I think the Aggies will only need 2 touchdowns to win this football game.
Prediction: Texas A&M 20-13 Arkansas (TAMU -5.5 & UNDER 47.5)
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