The Arkansas Razorbacks headed into Saturday night’s game feeling good about their chances of winning and getting out to their second 4-0 start in back-to-back seasons. In the first quarter, it looked like they would, jumping to a 14-0 lead. Arkansas had all the momentum, and it appeared they would run the Aggies out of AT&T Stadium. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Arkansas would only score one more touchdown for the remainder of the game.
For the most part, Arkansas dominated the game statistically. The running game was working with success, but at critical points, in the game, they went away from it. With Arkansas leading 14-7 and looking to score again, Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson would attempt to dive from about the three-yard line. An Aggies defender knocked the ball out, and Texas A&M scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown. In my opinion, this is where the entire game shifted. Arkansas was still in control of the game until this point, but after the fumble that made the score 14-13, Texas A&M would not trail again. Arkansas would take a one-point lead into halftime, but it was obvious Arkansas was in for a battle in the second half.
Texas A&M would score a touchdown on their first possession in the second half, taking a 20-14 lead. They would not trail again for the rest of the game. Although all of the self-inflicted wounds, Arkansas had a chance to pull ahead late in the 4th quarter on a 42-yard field goal with 1:35 remaining. That did not happen, as Cam Little’s kick was no good, hitting the very top of the right upright. Texas A&M would escape with a 23-21 win improving to 3-1, while Arkansas fell to 3-1.
My thoughts on the game:
I know Arkansas lost the game, and that’s not going to change based on what I’m about to say, and it doesn’t make Arkansas fans feel any better. Arkansas was the better team, but they did not deserve to win. Arkansas found ways to let Texas A&M stay in the game all night, and against good teams, you cannot do that. An Arkansas win would have likely meant that College Gameday would have made the trip to Fayetteville next Saturday as the Alabama Crimson Tide comes to town.
Arkansas will host #2 Alabama next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on CBS. Saturday is still a big game for both teams, and if Arkansas can pull out a win, it would be monumental for their season and the program in general. Alabama is currently on a 15-game win streak against Arkansas, leading the all-time series 25-7.
My Prediction: Arkansas 31 Alabama 42
