As Texas A&M prepares to take on Arkansas in Week 8, here are the five things to keep an eye on.
For the first time in its 84-year history, the Southeastern Conference's Week 8 slate of college football features all league-versus-league contests on Saturday.
One of those matchups features the undefeated Texas A&M Aggies traveling to Fayetteville, Arkansas, for a matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The weekend also marks the first home game for the Hogs under interim head coach Bobby Petrino, since he was previously at the helm in 2011. With a 2-4 record on the year, Petrino would love nothing more than to upset the Aggies and make his case to remove the interim tag at the end of the 2025 campaign. To accomplish that feat, he must prepare his defense for one of the most prolific wide receiving corps in the country, however.
Since transferring from Mississippi State in the offseason, Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver has become an instant sensation in Aggieland. Beloved by his teammates, coaches and the fans, the sophomore wideout leads the SEC with 634 receiving yards so far this season.
His electric speed and elite catching ability have set him apart from other wide receivers across the country, making him a dangerous threat to a struggling Arkansas defense that ranks 15th in the league in pass defense. If sophomore Aggie signal-caller Marcel Reed can increase his consistency, especially on his deep ball, Texas A&M could find much success against the Razorbacks' defensive unit.
The key to success this weekend is located in the trenches for the Aggies, as they face a terrific dual-threat quarterback looking to put the Hogs on his back and carry them to what could be a monumentous victory for the program in Fayetteville.
Going against a former Aggie offensive coordinator on Saturday, here are five things to watch in Texas A&M's Week 8 game at Arkansas:
How will DC Jay Bateman and HC Mike Elko scheme for Taylen Green?
The Texas A&M defense has made its mark in the first three contests of SEC play, holding foes to just two third-down conversions out of 33 attempts. Much of that success stems from talented contributors like EDGE Cashius Howell, who became the first player since Aggie legend Von Miller to record multiple three-sack performances in a single season. If Elko and Bateman can scheme up pressure and make Green uncomfortable, the Aggies could secure another signature conference win.
With Le'Veon Moss injured, can the Aggie RB room produce in his absence?
As announced by Elko during Monday's press conference, Moss will be out for an extended period of time after suffering an ankle injury in the 34-17 victory over Florida last Saturday. That means more opportunities for guys like Owens and freshman running back Jamarion Morrow, both of whom have recorded an uptick in production for the Aggies on the ground in recent weeks. If the Texas A&M tandem continues its current trend, it could significantly expand the Aggies' playbook.
Can Texas A&M continue to eliminate costly penalties?
The 'Cabo Fund' helped ignite a fire in Texas A&M's roster to eliminate penalties against the Gators last week, as the Aggies committed just three infractions in Week 7. Maintaining consistency will remain the most important factor this week, especially as we enter a hostile SEC environment against a rival.
Are the Aggies capable of handling the rowdy road environment?
While Arkansas' record might lead some astray, this team has the talent to compete against any program in the SEC, especially on the offensive side of the ball. That is something that Razorback fans do realize, however. In what should be a packed Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, the Aggies will face a challenging task that could cause some hiccups if the team is not prepared.
Can Reed improve his deep-ball accuracy in Week 8?
While Reed continues to trend upward on Heisman Trophy predictions, his deep-ball accuracy is something that must improve if he wants to succeed against SEC defenses and lead his team to the postseason. His tendency to double-clutch and self-doubt has been an area that Elko has emphasized to Reed for improvement moving forward.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's five things to watch against Arkansas
Category: General Sports
