LSU

Don’t Count Arkansas out against LSU
Arkansas vs. LSU 2014

(Photo Credit: Bleacher Report)

Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas is a mighty tough place to play—even more so at night. Although the Hogs have yet to win an SEC game this season, they have been a tough out against every team they’ve faced, nearly defeating Texas A&M, Alabama, and Mississippi State. Arkansas Head Coach Bret Bielema has his team ahead of schedule and the team is so close to being something special. An SEC win can be the catalyst to propel the Hogs into being a truly elite football team. The Razorbacks are actually slightly favored in this game, and what an excellent way to end its losing streak against SEC opponents by defeating LSU, the Hogs’ greatest rival. This rivalry game is known as the Battle for the Golden Boot. When Arkansas and LSU play one another, throw out all of the records and statistics—only this game matters for the two teams. They simply don’t like one another.

Arkansas plays LSU at the right time: after LSU’s deflating overtime loss to Alabama. The Razorbacks have more hanging in the balance than LSU does: the team is trying to become bowl eligible. The Hogs must win two of the last three games to become bowl eligible. As long as the team performs well in the fourth quarter of each of the remaining games and demonstrates that it has learned how to close out games, the Hogs can legitimately win the final three games (all SEC games) on its schedule.

Both teams have similar styles. On offense, they both like to run the football—and run it often. Arkansas has the edge on offense. On defense, they’re both aggressive, although LSU has the edge on defense.

This game will ultimately come down to which team can perform the best in the passing game. Both teams can certainly benefit from improvement in the passing game. The LSU passing game will struggle against the Hogs because Arkansas defensive end Trey Flowers will give LSU’s offensive line nightmares. When this game is over, the person who will have impacted the game the most will be Trey Flowers. He is a beast and will be playing in the NFL next season.

Arkansas will win 24-20.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Arkansas

The Arkansas Razorbacks Will Defeat LSU

In one of the great rivalries in all of college football, Arkansas vs. LSU will give college football fans yet another memorable game. In the end, the Arkansas Razorbacks will simply outlast Louisiana State University (LSU). Les Miles is going to need to have more than just trick plays ready for the Arkansas Razorbacks, because, at this point, the Razorbacks are ready for all of his trick plays. Now, it will not be an easy task for the Razorbacks to defeat LSU, but Arkansas is simply the better team. LSU has some athletes who will make it a challenge for the Hogs to win, but Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas Razorbacks know they are playing for a potential Bowl Championship Series (BCS) berth in the Sugar Bowl and they are not going to let that opportunity pass them by.

LSU’s offense is not really that good, so the Arkansas defense should play fairly well against the LSU offense. LSU does have a solid defense, but the defense has never faced a passing attack like Ryan Mallett and company has to offer. What I want you to look out for, however, is the Arkansas running game. When the game is all over, it will be the success of Knile Davis and the running game that will result in such a successful day for the Razorback offense.

The offensive line will need to have a solid game blocking for Ryan Mallett, and will need to eliminate the silly penalties they get.

When the Razorbacks get a pretty comfortable lead on LSU, they need to continue to be aggressive against them and don’t allow them to get back into the game. I encourage Bobby Petrino not to get too conservative with his playcalling because LSU does not have anything close to an explosive offense. I think we will see LSU play one of the best games the team has played this year, but I think we will see Arkansas play the best four quarters of football we have seen them play this year, which will certainly equal a Razorback victory.

When Arkansas wins, the BCS Sugar Bowl Committee needs to give Arkansas a spot in the Sugar Bowl game. If the BCS Sugar Bowl Committee does not give them a spot, then another BCS bowl committee needs to give them a spot because the Arkansas Razorbacks have certainly earned a spot to play in a BCS game.

I really wish that Arkansas would stop playing LSU in War Memorial Stadium and start playing them in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks make it a much closer trip for LSU’s fans to come and attend the game. Arkansas also takes away from the feel of a true home game by playing at War Memorial Stadium. It’s always a mighty tough task to come up in play in the Mountains of Fayetteville, but Arkansas denies itself an opportunity to use the advantage of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

It would be great if Dennis Johnson, Ramon Broadway, and Greg Childs could be playing for the Razorbacks, but they are all out for the season with injuries. The Arkansas Razorbacks still have so many talented athletes to lead the way to a victory against LSU. Go Hogs!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison