Staff Predictions: #15 Texas vs. Arkansas

[HornSports Staff]

The #15 Texas Longhorns (1-0, 0-0) will face former Southwest Conference rival, the Arkansas Razorbacks, on Saturday evening at 6:00 PM in Fayetteville.  The Longhorns have had success against the Hogs in their home stadium, winning the last three at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.  In fact, the last time the Longhorns lost there was in 1981.

Both teams won their season opening contests at home, with Texas defeating Louisiana 38-18 and Arkansas besting Rice 38-17.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Hudson Card will face his first true road test as the starter for the Longhorns, and Steve Sarkisian and company look to improve to 2-0 as a staff during their time in Austin.

Texas is favored by a touchdown and Arkansas will be without starting LB Bumper Pool for the first half due to a targeting call against Rice.  The Hogs will also be without starting DE Dorian Gerald who suffered a leg injury in practice this week.

Do the Longhorns have the game plan, mental and physical conditioning to go into enemy territory and pull off a win?

The HornSports Staff give their predictions on the outcome of Saturday's big game.

Aaron Carrara (1-0)

Both teams are coming off wins at home but I expect Saturday’s matchup to be a prime time slugfest.  I like the Longhorns on paper, but Hudson Card will have his hands full on the road.  Bijan Robinson and Jeff Banks’ special teams unit will win this for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns leave Fayetteville with hard-fought victory.

Score Prediction:  Texas 34, Arkansas 24

TFloss32 (1-0)

The first thing that comes to mind for this match-up is Fayetteville potentially being an environment unlike any other the current Texas players have faced. If they can stay even-keeled and ride out the initial jolt that stadium will provide, I like the good guys to eventually walk out with a victory. The evidence we have for both teams is limited, but Arkansas simply didn’t put together a good performance against Rice at home last week. I expect the game plan to be similar to that of Week 1 with a heavy dose of Bijan Robinson opening up other opportunities for the offense, and Kwiatkowski’s defense keying on KJ Jefferson’s legs forcing him to throw down field. More solid special teams play, with Dicker being consistent, and keeping the turnovers in check will go a long way.

Score Prediction:  Texas 27, Arkansas 20

Jameson McCausland (1-0)

Saturday night is a big test for Texas and Steve Sarkisian. The Longhorns opened the season with a solid showing against Louisiana, but traveling to Fayetteville and defeating Arkansas would be huge from a momentum standpoint for the program.

I expect this game to be close. The Razorbacks looked sloppy week 1, especially on offense, but I expect Kendal Briles to fully unleash KJ Jefferson's running ability and have him carry the ball 15-20 times. The difference in the game will be Bijan Robinson. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get close to 30 touches and Sarkisian will find a way to get him the ball in open space. As long as Hudson Card takes care of the football, Texas should leave Fayetteville with a victory.

Score Prediction:  Texas 31, Arkansas 21

Devon Messinger (1-0)

Bijan Robinson, Hudson Card and Jordan Whittington all had solid games for the Longhorns last weekend and will now look to beat Arkansas on the road in Fayetteville.

The Razorbacks have a plethora of talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, headlined by preseason All-American Jalen Catalon at safety. However, the game can be won and lost by the Longhorns on the trenches. Can the Longhorns force the Hogs to rely on quarterback KJ Jefferson's arm? Additionally, can Texas's offensive line bounce back from a shaky performance last week and create opportunities for Card and Robinson? If so, Texas will be in the driver's seat against the Razorbacks.

Score Prediction:  Texas 31, Arkansas 21

Tristan Larsen (1-0)

After taking down top-25 Louisiana by 20 points, Sarkisian makes his SEC return against Arkansas in what could be a preview of a rivalry to come for Texas. This will be just the fifth meeting between these schools since 1992 and the first time Texas has traveled to Fayetteville in 17 years. A lot is going in the Longhorns' favor this Saturday. Bijan Robinson looked excellent as he was awarded the Big 12 and National Player of the Week. Hudson Card in his first start looked the part of the next great Texas QB. The defense as well was much improved as Sarkisian’s new and improved coaching staff seems to be a bright spot for the program.

Arkansas themselves is coming off of a 38-17 victory over Rice as they look forward to going 2-0 against Texas schools this year. However, the Longhorns on paper are simply a better team than the Razorbacks at this moment. With a lot of the top name quarterbacks struggling in Week 1 another great Robinson performance could mean all gas no brakes toward Heisman consideration. Parlayed with the fact that Sarkisian embarrassed Arkansas last season 52-3, I think Texas easily takes care of business here.

Score Prediction:  Texas 31, Arkansas 21

Mitch Lovell (1-0)

This game will be close early on as the crowd will be a factor for Hudson Card making his fist start on the road.  Card will settle down, rely on Bijan to run the ball and the Longhorns will cruise in the second half. Hogs QB KJ Jefferson struggled vs Rice throwing the ball and Texas will be well-prepared on defense for the Razorback offense.

Score Prediction:  Texas 42, Arkansas 17

[Sirhornsalot]

If you're watching OSU-Oregon, you will seldom find a pair of homers as bad as these announcers. They need to just slide down in the crowd and cheer their buckeyes and let some professionals take over.

[Sirhornsalot]

Oregon upsets Ohio State, 35-28.

Oregon was down five players on defense and still held OSU in check.

[texasdalton]

i think we are about to see the preseason polls get blown out of the water for a second straight week. all i want now is a Atm loss and a horns win and this will be a great Saturday.

[Sirhornsalot]

13 minutes ago, texasdalton said:

i think we are about to see the preseason polls get blown out of the water for a second straight week. all i want now is a Atm loss and a horns win and this will be a great Saturday.

Colorado 7

aggy 0

1st

[lakeman74]

Aggies are overrated once again

[Sirhornsalot]

Iowa beating Iowa St 14-10 at the half

[Baron]

nm