This may come as bad timing considering Arkansas just gave up 46 points in a four-overtime game against Auburn, but the statistics show steady improvement in the Hogs' defense over the last three games.
Here's a breakdown of the stat categories for the first four games compared to the last three. Granted, the first four definitely had better offenses than the last three, but I thought the numbers were interesting to look at anyway:
FIRST FOUR GAMES:
PASSING YPG: 264
YARDS PER RUSH: 3.6
QBH: 5
QB %: 72.7
Sacks per game: 0.75
TFL: 22 (11 against UTEP)
PBU: 7
FF: 0
Third down conversions: 45.8%
Red zone: 85.4%
LAST THREE GAMES:
PASSING YPG: 249 (-15 YPG)
YARDS PER RUSH: 3.3 (-0.3)
QBH: 10 (+5)
QB %: 60.9 (-12.8%)
Sacks per game: 1.3 (+.55)
TFL: 22
PBU: 11 (+4)
FF: 3 (+3)
Third down conversions: 44.8% (-1.0%)
Red zone: 76.6 (-8.8%)
There are some major challenges still ahead, though.
Ole Miss ranks 12th in the nation in total offense, LSU is just behind them at 27th (with the nation's No. 2 rushing attack), and Mississippi State is 35th in the nation in Total O. I know last year is last year, but it's worth noting that those three offenses combined for 17 points against Arkansas last year, and all 17 belonged to Dak Prescott and MSU.
And just a little fun fact here: Missouri is 126th in the nation in both scoring offense and total offense. The Tigers have failed to reach at least 14 points in five of their eight games this season. They've scored 9 points or less in four of their games. Robb Smith's defenses, traditionally speaking, have always gained at least two shutouts a year (except for one season at Maine, I believe). I don't know if they'll shutout what appears to be a pretty good UT-Martin offense this week or not, but I'm going on record now in predicting a shutout against Missouri in the season finale. Bold, I know.
Here's a breakdown of the stat categories for the first four games compared to the last three. Granted, the first four definitely had better offenses than the last three, but I thought the numbers were interesting to look at anyway:
FIRST FOUR GAMES:
PASSING YPG: 264
YARDS PER RUSH: 3.6
QBH: 5
QB %: 72.7
Sacks per game: 0.75
TFL: 22 (11 against UTEP)
PBU: 7
FF: 0
Third down conversions: 45.8%
Red zone: 85.4%
LAST THREE GAMES:
PASSING YPG: 249 (-15 YPG)
YARDS PER RUSH: 3.3 (-0.3)
QBH: 10 (+5)
QB %: 60.9 (-12.8%)
Sacks per game: 1.3 (+.55)
TFL: 22
PBU: 11 (+4)
FF: 3 (+3)
Third down conversions: 44.8% (-1.0%)
Red zone: 76.6 (-8.8%)
There are some major challenges still ahead, though.
Ole Miss ranks 12th in the nation in total offense, LSU is just behind them at 27th (with the nation's No. 2 rushing attack), and Mississippi State is 35th in the nation in Total O. I know last year is last year, but it's worth noting that those three offenses combined for 17 points against Arkansas last year, and all 17 belonged to Dak Prescott and MSU.
And just a little fun fact here: Missouri is 126th in the nation in both scoring offense and total offense. The Tigers have failed to reach at least 14 points in five of their eight games this season. They've scored 9 points or less in four of their games. Robb Smith's defenses, traditionally speaking, have always gained at least two shutouts a year (except for one season at Maine, I believe). I don't know if they'll shutout what appears to be a pretty good UT-Martin offense this week or not, but I'm going on record now in predicting a shutout against Missouri in the season finale. Bold, I know.
