HawgBeat - Arkansas-Texas A&M position-by-position comparison
HawgBeat provides a position-by-position breakdown for Arkansas and Texas A&M ahead of their matchup on Saturday.
arkansas.rivals.com
The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-1 SEC) are set to take on the Texas A&M Aggies (3-1, 1-0 SEC) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT.
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has led the Aggies to a solid start to the 2023 season with wins over New Mexico (52-10), Louisiana Monroe (47-3) and Auburn (27-10). Their lone loss was to Miami (48-33).
Head coach Sam Pittman got the Razorbacks off to a 2-0 start with wins over Western Carolina and Kent State, but they've lost two straight to BYU and LSU.
Though the Razorbacks and Aggies face off every season, the transfer portal has made it more difficult to keep up with players around the country.
For this reason, HawgBeat has you covered with a position-by-position breakdown between the two programs to see who has the advantage where...
Quarterback
Players:
Arkansas: KJ Jefferson
76/108, 70.4%, 918 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs, 163.7 passer rating, 128 rushing yards, rushing TD
Texas A&M: Max Johnson
20/31, 64.5%, 226 yards, 4 TDs, 168.3 passer rating, -5 rushing yards
Johnson began the season as the backup to Connor Weigman, but took over mid-game against Auburn after Weigman exited the game with a lower-leg injury. Arkansas fans may remember Johnson, as he was LSU's starting quarterback in 2021 and he also started for the Aggies against the Razorbacks last season.
Johnson is without a doubt a solid SEC quarterback, but Jefferson is the more talented player. Give me the Preseason All-SEC Second Team quarterback in this one.
Pick: KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
Running backs
Players:
Arkansas: Raheim Sanders/AJ Green/Rashod Dubinion/Dominique Johnson
101 attempts, 445 yards, 5 TDs, 10 receptions, 51 yards
Texas A&M: Rueben Owens/Earnest Crownover/Amari Daniels/Le'Veon Moss
95 attempts, 506 yards, 5 TDs, 16 receptions, 124 yards, receiving TD
From a talent standpoint, Arkansas' running back room is the winner here. Sanders was a Preseason All-SEC First-Team running back for a reason. However, a knee injury has prevented him from playing the last three weeks and the Razorbacks haven't been the same dominant running team as a result.
Without Sanders, this matchup is pretty even. Should he be healthy — and AJ Green (shoulder) — the Razorbacks have a clear advantage in this department.
Pick: Arkansas (if fully healthy)
Wide receivers
Players:
Arkansas: Andrew Armstrong/Isaac TeSlaa/Jaedon Wilson
44 receptions, 577 yards, 5 TDs
Texas A&M: Ainias Smith/Evan Stewart/Jahdae Walker
49 receptions, 727 yards, 4 TDs
Through the first four games of the season, the Aggies have one of the better passing attacks in the country at No. 18 overall with 301.2 passing yards per game. That sounds about right with Bobby Petrino running the offense.
Smith is a fifth-year veteran and Stewart is a former five-star in his second collegiate season. Walker transferred to Texas A&M from Grand Valley State during the offseason.
Though Arkansas' passing attack hasn't been bad, it's taken some time for the group to gel together with three new starters from last year. Armstrong and TeSlaa are starting to hit their stride, while Wilson is lagging behind a bit and Bowling Green transfer Tyrone Broden has stepped as the third starter.
Arkansas’ group could be strong by season's end, but as of now, I think the Aggies have the upper hand.
Pick: Texas A&M
Tight ends
Players:
Arkansas: Luke Hasz/Francis Sherman/Nathan Bax
15 receptions, 239 yards, 3 TDs
Texas A&M: Max Wright/Jake Johnson/Donovan Green
14 receptions, 136 yards, TD
Truth be told, it's really a one-man machine when it comes to offensive tight-end output for the Razorbacks. Sherman and Bax have played sparingly for blocking purposes while the talented freshman Hasz has provided another weapon for Jefferson.
Though Wright is listed as the starting tight end for Texas A&M, it's Johnson who has the majority of receptions (11). It seems the Aggies don't lean on their tight ends too much in the passing attack, thanks in part to a talented group of wide receivers.
Hasz alone wins this battle for the Hogs.
Pick: Arkansas
Offensive line
Players:
Arkansas: Andrew Chamblee/Brady Latham/Beaux Limmer/Joshua Braun/Patrick Kutas
Texas A&M: Chase Bisontis/Layden Robinson/Bryce Foster/Mark Nabou Jr./Trey Zuhn III
The Razorbacks' offensive line has allowed 11 sacks (No. 104 in the country) and in the last two weeks has been called for 12 penalties. The Hogs' rushing attack is also only averaging 147.8 yards per game, good for No. 75 in the country.
Texas A&M's bunch isn't much better in the run game, coming in at No. 72 in the country with 149.5 yards per game.
However, they've only allowed six sacks (No. 43 in the country).
Until Arkansas' offensive linemen can clean up some of the mental mistakes, the edge goes to the Aggies here.
Pick: Texas A&M
