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It is Homecoming week for the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the Hogs' total focus right now is on Eastern Michigan and getting another W in the win column.
A win will get them one step closer to their goal of making a bowl game this season. Five games remain in the season and finishing strong is the only choice they have to reach their goal.
The Arkansas Razorbacks are coming off of two disappointing losses in a row, and the season has not gone exactly according to plan. Though many had picked the Hogs to be around the record they are at right now because of the difficult schedule they have in 2009.
The Hogs are in the midst of their second two-game losing streak of the 2009 season. In fact it has them sitting at the exact same record (3-4) at this point in the season as they were in 2008. Of the five remaining games they must win three to become bowl eligible. Win number four should come this weekend.
There is some disappointment surrounding the coaches and players regarding the recent losses, but there is also a sense of getting back to business. Many of the quotes since the losses state that they have let games get away they should have won, and have taken ownership of the mistakes that caused those losses.
To an observer, they clearly had their chances and could have played better in the losses. Yet, you can say "if this happened" or "if that went this way" until you are blue in the face and it won't change a thing.
Getting a win this weekend in front of the home crowd on Homecoming is the focus right now. This is a team hungry for a win and you couldn't ask for better prey than Eastern Michigan (0-7).
Eastern Michigan is the worst team in the nation in rushing defense. It just so happens that the Arkansas Razorbacks desperately need to get their running game on track.
Expect to see balance from the Arkansas offense, but a focus on getting the ball moving on the ground. Micheal Smith and Dennis Johnson seem the top candidates for breakouts.
They are the only hogs to break the 100-yard mark in a game this season and each has only done it once. Both Smith and Johnson have been dinged up on and off most of the season, but both are healthy and ready to go this weekend.
The offensive line will be the key to getting this running game going. They are a big bunch of bodies, but have been very inconsistent this season both in pass protection and the running game. They will prove to be far too big for the Eastern Michigan defense and will pave big holes for the Razorbacks' group of running backs.
The other area to look for improvement is in the utilization of DJ Williams. Williams was a Mackey award finalist last season as one of the top tight ends in the nation. He was the Arkansas Razorbacks' leading receiver in 2008 as well. This season Williams has seen a diminished role in the offense. He has not made a reception in the past two games, and has been open plenty of times but just not seen or missed.
Bobby Petrino has stated this week that Williams' number is being called and plays are being drawn up for him, but the ball just has not been getting in his hands. Credit some of that to opposing defenses that have worked to take him out of the game. There also appears to be a lack of chemistry thus far between Williams and quarterback Ryan Mallett.
In practices this week there has been an emphasis on getting Williams the ball. He is too good of a playmaker to not be involved in the game.
Along with Williams being involved, keep an eye out for the wide receivers out to make this a statement game. One of the biggest reasons to watch the wide receivers is that Joe Adams, the 19-year-old sophomore, has been cleared for 100 percent participation.
Adams was the Razorbacks' leading receiver prior to a mild stroke that hit him three weeks ago just days after going over 100 yards in a big win over Texas A&M in Dallas. It is unsure if he will play, but the good news of his return to the team will have the receivers and the team pumped up. He is a big-time threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.
On top of Adams, the entire young talented group of receivers has had some of the best highlights of the season, and also some of the lowest lows of the season. Last week the receivers had around 10 drops in the loss to the Rebels. Earlier in the season they had another game with close to 10 drops against Alabama.
This week keep an eye out for this talented group of receivers to produce at least two or more players with 100 plus yards receiving and make a statement.
The defensive line is another position to look out for in this game. They were going extremely strong from A&M, Auburn, and Florida where they sacked Tebow six times. Last weekend against Ole Miss they were dominated. Expect to see them this weekend in the backfield early and often.
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