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1. Is Ryan Mallett the best quarterback in the SEC?
When Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett is at his best, he is the best quarterback in the league, no doubt about it. When he’s on he has great vision in the pocket and really stretches a defense with his power arm. No one throws the deep ball better than Mallett, and without significant pressure he can pick a defense apart.
By the numbers, the Michigan-transfer leads the conference in passing yards per game (268.5) and touchdowns through the air (18). Despite a completion percentage of just 54 percent, he limits his mistakes and has the fewest interceptions (3) of any quarterback averaging more than 200 yards per contest.
The problem is when Mallett’s not in rhythm, he has trouble hitting receivers and can fall in love with throwing deep and miss opportunities to move the ball down field. He has hardly utilized preseason All-SEC tight end D.J. Williams, and if the Razorback protection falls apart, he doesn’t move well on his feet.
While the rest of the Arkansas receiving corps has proven capable of making big plays, whether it’s Joe Adams taking short passes and turning up field for big gains or Greg Childs making diving catches in the end zone, the Hogs have also had weeks where Mallett hits targets in the hands only to see the ball dropped, and he tends to lose focus when the offense can’t get going. But with Mallett at the helm, Arkansas is always a threat to score quickly and often, because he has the best arm in the league and capable weapons to get the ball in the end zone.
2. Can Arkansas' defense stop anyone?
The Razorback defense had no trouble stopping Eastern Michigan in the first half last week, scoring more points (42) than the Eagles had yards (39) before halftime. The Hogs gave up some points in the second half with the game already decided and the first-stringers on the sideline, but they did stop EMU when they wanted to.
So to answer the question, technically, yes.
Arkansas strung together a few solid defensive performances in October, holding Texas A&M, Florida and Auburn to 22 points per game in consecutive weeks before giving up 30 to Ole Miss. But each of those games the Razorback defense looked better on the scoreboard, it was because the opposing team had self-inflicted blown opportunities to score easily, as week-after-week a missed assignment left an opposing receiver wide open with a clear path to the end zone, but each time the guy dropped the ball.
I was amazed to see UA defensive coordinator Willy Robinson to say the Ole Miss game was an “eye-opening experience”…surely the opponent dropping easy scores wasn’t a part of the game plan in previous weeks.
Arkansas has had trouble in the secondary all season long, from suspensions, injuries or ineffectiveness, and Stephen Garcia will have plenty of opportunities to burn the Hog defense for huge chunks of yardage at a time.
3. How long until Petrino bolts?
I don’t think he’s leaving any time soon. For one, Bobby Petrino’s an offensive guy, he’s a quarterback guy, and he has a quarterback with the potential to be the best pure passer in the country. Petrino is helping Mallett develop his power arm and all-around game, which could be headed to the NFL after another year or two.
Petrino has a good situation in Fayetteville, Ark., because the last Razorback coach left on such bad terms that the new sheriff in town has everyone supporting him. It’s not a big city or major media market, so he has for the most part avoided much of the negativity from his abrupt exits from Louisville and the Atlanta Falcons.
I think Arkansas will make more improvements in the win column next season after a few close (and controversial) calls that have kept the Hogs at .500 through two-thirds of the schedule this year. Petrino has to stay put for a little while just to avoid aggravating the reputation he’s earned, and he’s got no reason to jump ship here any time soon.
4. Is Saturday's game a must-win for the Hogs?
I don’t know how much of a “must-win” game a 4-4 team can have. Does Arkansas have to beat South Carolina to get to a bowl? No. And it’s not like the conference title or national championship is on the line. The Razorbacks have Troy and Mississippi State up next, both at home, so the Hogs will still have a good chance at becoming bowl-eligible should they lose Saturday.
5. Prediction/Give us a score!
I think Arkansas can establish a ground game with a variety of backs and open up the passing lanes for Mallett, so the Razorback offense gets going at home. I don’t expect a defensive struggle Saturday, but I don’t think this ends in a shootout either. It’ll be close, but I’ll take the Hogs at home, 34-31.
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