Game Review: Arkansas

Knee-jerk Reaction
THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE! I don't need to beat a dead horse by going on about the weaknesses of our defensive secondary. Once again, in the end this team and this defense found a way to get it done and get the "W" in one of the best games I have ever attended. We knew going in that Arkansas had the best offense we would see all year. We knew their biggest strength, their passing game, would dominate our biggest weakness, our secondary. We knew the Hawgs had 4th quarter struggles all season. I expected a shootout, maybe not a record breaking 65-43 affair but that's what we got and boy was it fun. If there was any doubt before the game, it is gone now, Cam Newton is the best player in college football. He is the clear leader of not just the offense but this entire team. Newton is quickly entering Tim Tebow status with his leadership qualities. The offensive line once again plowed the way for a 300 yard rushing effort (3rd in as many SEC games). This was easily the "closest" 22 point win ever as it had the feeling of a one point win. We all have heard about it by now - the refs were horrible - but they were horrible both ways. Mario Fannin did not cross the plane with the ball and the Broderick Green fumble in the fourth was debatable but the pass interference call in the end zone was as bad as they come and the 4th down spot Arkansas received was extremely generous. It seemed as if the refs knew they kept making bad calls and would make other bad calls to make up for it. In the end all we got was a lot of bad calls for both teams. I was really happy to see Dyer break that run in the 4th quarter to get a touchdown against his home state team. Apparently he was ailing from an ankle injury which kept him sidelined for most of the game but he sure looked fine as he broke through the middle of the line and away from the Arkansas defenders. A lot of credit needs to be given to Arkansas' Tyler Wilson. Before Ryan Mallet went out he was completing 66.7% of his passes (below his average) for a measly 6.4 yards per attempt. Wilson's passes (prior to his two interceptions) were on the money all night and were as good as any quarterback could have done. While he did have guys wide open on a few occasions, more frequently the completions were a product of perfect passes despite some decent coverage. In the four drives Mallet led, two of them ended with punts (they only had three punts in the entire game). It is entirely possible that our defensive game plan was designed to stop Mallet (and was doing a relatively good job) and Wilson's style and ability caught us off guard and it took until half way through the fourth quarter to make the appropriate adjustments.

Positives
Cam Newton - The nation's Heisman front runner has reached super star status. He is getting interviews on every college football related show, he is being talked about across the nation, and Auburn fans can't get enough. The only question at this point is how will he handle his new-found fame.

Offensive Line - I can't single out a single player without closer film evaluation but I don't recall hearing a single holding call or false start. That is miles from where we were as recent as week three this season. If I had to single out anyone it would be Brandon Mosley for seamlessly stepping into the starting line up and not once standing out as a weakness.

Josh Bynes - His two interceptions were not easy plays. We all know he can fill gaps in the run game but if he had a weakness before this season it would be how he performs in pass coverage. Clearly he has a spot in the NFL in a Tampa 2 defense because he fills that middle zone as well as anyone I have seen this year. His drops are deceptively quick and deep and his ball skills are phenomenal for a linebacker. Definitely having an All-SEC season.

Craig Sanders and Demetruce McNeal - I have never had so much fun watching kick off coverage. These two true freshman are in a competition on who can get the most tackles in kick off coverage and it seems to be one of the two every time. The Hawgs only crossed the 25 once (got to their 34) in 10 kick returns. They are fast, aggressive and hungry.

Wes Byrum - Without his two first half field goals we would have been tied going into the break and his third field goal on the opening drive of the half made it a two score game. His 43 yard field goal from the right hash gave us our first lead of the game and was not an easy kick. He ended the night with 17 points, an absolutely huge number for a kicker.

Negatives
Secondary - I could call out Neiko but I don't know enough about coverage assignments, safety help or other details that could change where the blame should lie. The only thing we know for sure is that 428 passing yards is WAY too many and the two interceptions on the night came from Bynes, a linebacker.

The Refs - It was mentioned above, but the Refs were just horrible against both teams, and this isn't the first week we have seen multiple blatantly bad calls. The officials seem lost. They throw flags went they shouldn't, swallow their whistles when they shouldn't, they are indecisive on fumble calls and the replay booth doesn't seem to be able to find indisputable evidence to overturn any call.

Looking Ahead: LSU
LSU will have the best defense we have seen to date and possibly the best we will see all year. Their defensive line could give us fits similar to what Clemson's did. That being said, our line was challenged to be more physical after that game and has responded by leading the way for over 300 yards rushing against South Carolina, Kentucky and Arkansas. If there is any game in which our secondary could look good and perhaps build some confidence, it is this one. LSU's pass offense is among the worst in FBS and with our solid run defense and potent offense, they should be forced into some less than favorable passing situations. The last thing a bad passing team wants to do is get down early and be forced into 3rd and longs. I said last week that we match up much better against LSU than we did Arkansas and I stand by that. Our offense may struggle relative to what we have become accustom to but even a below average offensive output should be enough to out score LSU's offense behind what should be another amazing home crowd.