What Arkansas Must Do in the Spring Game to Prove It's a Contender
The last cycle of spring games in the SEC is perhaps the most interesting, with Arkansas and Tennessee—two programs on the rise—hitting the field on Saturday.
For Bret Bielema's Razorbacks, it's a chance to prove to the college football world that the Hogs are no fluke, and the final month-plus of the season in which they shut out LSU and Ole Miss—and held Texas to a shanked pitching wedge worth of offense in the bowl game—has become the norm.
That's easier said than done, though.
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What must Arkansas show during the Red and White Game to prove it's a contender?
Pressure Up Front
Arkansas is best known for its tremendous running game led by Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins and one of the toughest offensive lines in the country. While that helped, it was not the catalyst for last season's stretch run.
The defense, however, was.
Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith knew they had to deal with the graduation of defensive end Trey Flowers and linebacker Martrell Spaight, but defensive tackle Darius Philon's decision to jump early came as a bit of a shock.
Who's going to replace them, and can Smith find the same production?
JaMichael Winston started last season opposite Flowers, and players like Tevin Beanum and Deatrich Wise Jr. all have emerged this spring as potential forces off the edge. In the middle, Taiwan Johnson started opposite Philon, Bijhon Jackson has the ability to be a monster and DeMarcus Hodge is a veteran who knows what to expect playing a part in the rotation.
"Going into fall camp, there's going to be great competition at every spot," defensive line coach Rory Segrest said, according to Tom Murphy of ArkansasOnline.com. "We've got guys nipping at each other's heels."
Competition during practice is great, but it has to translate to success on the field. The defensive front for Arkansas goes up against one of the best offensive lines in the country on a daily basis, and if it can get consistent pressure on Saturday, it'd be a huge statement.
Typically, defenses are ahead of offenses. But since Arkansas returns nearly everybody on the offensive side of the ball, it should be the exception, not the rule. If quarterback Brandon Allen is running for his life and Williams and Collins are searching for holes, that would be good news for Bielema, Smith and the Hogs' outlook in 2015.
The Threat of a Downfield Attack
Allen isn't going to be Peyton Manning, nor is he going to be Jameis Winston on the field. All he has to do is pose the threat and look like them from time to time.
Arkansas isn't going to evolve into Baylor and sling it all over the field under new offensive coordinator Dan Enos, but the former Central Michigan head coach has produced 3,000-yard passers in four of the last five seasons. During Bielema's head coaching career, he's had just one quarterback break that mark (Russell Wilson in 2011 at Wisconsin).
If Enos can swing the pendulum ever so slightly and at least have Allen—who's a proven game-manager (20 touchdowns, five interceptions in 2014)—pose a slight threat of being a difference-maker who can stay healthy, the Arkansas offense is going to be tough to beat.
"I think he's going to be bigger, faster and stronger," Bielema told Bleacher Report in January. "I know that may not seem to carry a lot of weight with quarterbacks, but it does. He'll be more physical and allow him to take those hits through a 12-game season."
So far, so good, according to Bielema (via Josh Bertaccini of 92.1 in Fayetteville):
With leading receiver Keon Hatcher back and tight end Hunter Henry's presence as a true mismatch at Allen's disposal, the opportunity is there for Arkansas to open things up just a little bit. After all, a slight tinker from Enos will go a long way toward keeping the defense honest and taking pressure off of the running game.
Secondary a Strength?
Arkansas finished fifth in the SEC in pass defense last year (208.8 yards per game), and the pressure generated up front was a big help.
What will that pass defense do for an encore, especially if that pressure isn't replicated consistently up front?
There are plenty of talented players for Smith to rely on, including veteran safety Rohan Gaines and talented youngsters Josh Liddell, De'Andre Coley and versatile freshman Santos Ramirez—who can play pretty much anywhere. At corner, Jared Collins and Henre' Toliver return to lock down each side of the field.
How will they look?
Getting pressure is key, but replicating the success of last season will be more difficult for the secondary if that pressure isn't consistent.
Can they apply pressure if a quarterback has time? Can they force more than 12 interceptions?
A little success can go a long way for an Arkansas defense that, if opportunistic, can dramatically change the way games are played. One or two key turnovers can turn into long, sustained drives for the offense and put the Hogs in a much better position to make a run at winning big games in 2015.
Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.
Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.
Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.
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