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5 Reasons Auburn Should Be Worried About Arkansas, Part 5

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Nov 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Keon Hatcher (4) runs after a catch during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

However, like the team as a whole, Allen improved in the last three games. He was a combined 47-for-78 (60.3%) against Ole Miss, Mississippi State and LSU and threw for 485 yards, with four scores and three picks. Plus, he is one of only five returning SEC quarterbacks that started more than half of his team’s game last season. He should improve in 2014, which will lift the Arkansas offense.

Allen will have a little more help in the passing game in 2014 as well. Hunter Henry was a Freshman All-American tight end last season. He is a huge target at 6-foot-6 and 251 pounds, and is a matchup nightmare for opponents. Receiver Keon Hatcher came on strong towards the end of last season, and the team will have Demetrius Wilson back in the fold after he missed all of 2013.

On defense, the biggest boost Arkansas received this offseason was the return of defensive end Trey Flowers, who could be in the NFL now had he wanted to leave. Flowers ranks among the top ten in the SEC at the position, as does sophomore defensive tackle Darius Philon. Even though the Hogs must replace Chris Smith and his 8.5 sacks from 2013, the defensive line has gotten better.

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    • At linebacker, Martell Spaight has gained a reputation as a big hitter. He was a transfer last year, and struggled with the playbook and did not see a great deal of playing time, but regularly put on a display in practice. Now ready to contribute, Spaight could be a standout.

    Spaight joins returning starter Braylon Mitchell, who was the team’s second leading tackler last season. Also, Brooks Ellis, who earned the starting spot at middle linebacker in the final four games last season as a true freshman, has a great future ahead of him.

    The secondary was very shaky last year, but senior safety Alan Turner is a stabilizing force. He had 97 tackles last season, and will team with fellow senior starter Tevin Mitchell to lead what should be an improved unit. New defensive coordinator Robb Smith plans for Arkansas to be more aggressive on defense this year, which should lead to more turnovers.

    On paper, the Razorbacks are better at every level of the defense, and in fact, at every position on offense as well. Overall, they are not just a better team, they are much better.

    Will that lead to more wins? It’s hard to say. But, the 2014 edition of the Arkansas football team will look much more like the Razorbacks of November 2013 than the team that lost 30-10 to Florida, 52-7 at home against South Carolina, and 52-0 to Alabama in October 2013. That is, if they look like the 2013 squad at all.

    On paper, the Razorbacks are better at every level of the defense, and in fact, at every position on offense as well. Overall, they are not just a better team, they are much better.

    This series of articles – five reasons Auburn should worry about Arkansas – is not a doomsday proclamation. It isn’t called “five reasons Auburn will lose to Arkansas,” because I don’t think Auburn will lose. I think the Tigers are a true national title contender with an extremely talented roster and one of the best coaching staffs in the nation.

    Perhaps the series should have been titled “five reasons Auburn fans should respect Arkansas,” because looking ahead to the 2014 season, there are many similarities between this set of Razorbacks and last year’s Auburn Tigers. No one gives them a chance, and no one gives them respect.

    Yet, they are an SEC football team, with SEC players, an SEC coaching staff, and they have an opportunity to make a big statement in week one.

    The fact of the matter is that the Arkansas Razorbacks match up well with Auburn. They have improved since last season. They are well coached. They showed a dangerous game plan last year and could have won the game. They will grind it out on offense and try to eat as much of the clock as possible and control the pace of play. Plus, it’s the season opener, which brings its own complications.

    And for those reasons, Auburn should worry about Arkansas – at least a little bit.

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