Arkansas won its opener 31-14 over North Alabama, but the performance didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
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Now the Razorbacks travel to face No. 20 Utah, which makes this one of the SEC’s most dangerous Week 2 road games.
Utah produced 633 yards of offense in its opening victory over Idaho, while Arkansas struggled to put North Alabama away as quickly as expected. That combination should concern Razorback fans.
Quarterback K.J. Jackson needs to give Arkansas an efficient passing threat while remaining dangerous with his legs. Utah’s defense will try to make him uncomfortable, force long third downs and prevent Arkansas from establishing offensive rhythm.
The Razorbacks absolutely must run effectively. Asking a quarterback to throw repeatedly in Rice-Eccles Stadium against Utah’s defense is not an appealing formula.
Utah’s physicality is the larger problem. The Utes have built their identity around controlling the line of scrimmage, playing disciplined defense and making opponents earn every possession. Arkansas cannot afford turnovers or drive-killing penalties.
There is a path to an upset. Arkansas has SEC-caliber athletes and enough offensive ability to create explosive plays. If the Razorbacks can survive the opening surge, establish the run and keep the score close into the fourth quarter, pressure begins shifting toward the home team.
But Week 1 raised too many questions for me to pick Arkansas on the road against a ranked opponent. Utah looked much more complete, and the late-night environment in Salt Lake City only increases the challenge.
Arkansas competes, but Utah’s running game and defense eventually wear the Razorbacks down.
Prediction: Utah 31, Arkansas 21
Editor’s Notes: This weekend should tell us considerably more about the SEC than all those Week 1 blowouts did. The games I’d circle are Ohio State-Texas, Oklahoma-Michigan, Alabama-Kentucky, Arizona State-Texas A&M, Tennessee-Georgia Tech, Mississippi State-Minnesota and Arkansas-Utah. The SEC currently has nine teams in the AP Top 25, so several of these games could significantly reshape the national picture before conference play really gets rolling.
