The Arkansas Razorbacks travels to Fort Worth in week 2 of the 2016 season to take on TCU Horned Fogs in a primetime match up on ESPN.
Week 1 Results
TCU opened their season up with a home game against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. The Jackrabbits are an FCS school but are extrenely talented an well coached. The TCU defense was expected to be the strong suit of the team but struggled big time in week 1. TCU scored on their first drive and looked like they were going to roll. However TCU QB Kenny Hill threw back to back interceptions and South Dakota State took a 17-7 lead.
The Frogs responded with a punt return for a touchdown by the electric KaVontae Turpin. They went in tied at halftime at 24-24 and Kenny Hill showed glimpses of brilliance in the second half. His main target being JUCO transfer Taj Williams who hauled in 11 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown. The Frogs took over in the 4th quarter as the defense finally woke up. The game ended 59-41 in favor of the Horned Frogs. Kenny Hill finished 33-49 for 439 yards and 2 touchdowns passing, he also managed to rush for 45 yards and 3 touchdowns.
The Arkansas Razorbacks began their season by playing host to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. This was a old school low scoring type of football game that was back and forth almost the entire game. Arkansas QB Austin Allen had a rough game throwing for 191 yards and 2 interceptions. He did however toss 2 touchdown passes that helped his team win the game.
The Razorbacks running back, Rawleigh Williams, rushed for 96 yards and 1 touchdown. The run game is most defintitely the strong suit for the Razorbacks due to their smash mouth style of play. The Arkansas defense gave up just 291 all purpose yards to a mediocre Louisiana Tech team. Arkansas also had to overcame a 6 point deficit in the 4th quarter to earn a 21-20 victory.
What to expect from TCU
1. Vast improvement from the defense
The TCU defense gave up horendous numbers to South Dakota State in week 1. South Dakota State isnt a typical FCS team and they have two very talented players on their offense in QB Taryn Christion and WR Jake Weineke. TCU gave up 461 all purpose yards to the Jackrabbits and looked very sloppy on the field.
2. A more comfortable Kenny Hill
Last week, Kenny Hill started off the game a little shaky, throwing back-to-back interceptions. He settled in the 2nd half and finished strong. Hill said he was a little to amped up and was a little rusty not having played a game in a while. Hill will only become more comfortable as the quarterback at TCU as the season progresses. Expect Kenny Hill to put up bug numbers once again.
What to expect from Arkansas
1. Physical Play
Arkansas is the typical "rough and tough SEC team" and are going to use their size to force their way down the field. The Hogs will likely rely heavily on the offensive line and backfield to drive down the field. If they assert the run offense early on in the game they can try to spread the TCU defense with some mid range passes from Austin Allen.
2. Secondary Struggles
Arkansas saw one of their top DB's suffer a season ending injury and will need to find a strong replacement in order to slow down the TCU offense. TCU isnt the typical SEC team that Arkansas faces, the Razorbacks need to do everything in their power to slow down the TCU pass game. There are just to many weapons on the TCU side for them to be able to shut them down.