MEMPHIS — East Carolina and Arkansas know exactly what the Pirates will hang their hat on in the Liberty Bowl.
And it's the same strength that has hurt the Razorbacks in losses this season — a stout defensive line.
But just how stout can a defensive line from Conference USA be, you ask?
Well, pretty stout. Bobby Petrino calls East Carolina's front four "SEC caliber."
A look at the numbers helps support Petrino's point. ECU held three teams to 30 yards or less in rushing yards this season and has allowed only two touchdowns on the ground in the last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Pirates have terrorized offensive fronts with 13 sacks in the last four games.
"We hang our hat on the front. We have to," defensive coordinator Greg Hudson said. "We've got to find a way for them to win the battle up front. That's been our focus every game. ... We have to keep moving them and turn those guys loose. It's our only chance."
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Sure, get pressure on a quarterback and the floodgates will open. The quarterback will be unable to complete passes, make clean hand-offs to running backs and the opportunities for big plays dwindle.
Arkansas has seen that with Ryan Mallett, who looks for big plays down field more often than not when he's frustrated by pressure. That was apparent on the road in losses to Alabama, Florida and Ole Miss, when he completed just 37.5 percent of his passes and threw three touchdowns.
"They'll do a good job of getting pressure on him, because if we don't get pressure on him, it's going to be a long day," East Carolina free safety Van Eskridge said. "He's the type of guy that can sit back there and pick your defense apart and put on a clinic. It's definitely going to be crucial for the front four to get pressure."
The talent is there for East Carolina to apply heat on Arkansas' backfield. Defensive end C.J. Wilson is projected as a second- or third-round pick in the NFL Draft and leads the Pirates with 5 1/2 sacks.
Wilson will play heavily into the success or failure of East Carolina's plans Saturday.
Arkansas has countered pressure by rolling Mallett outside for throws on the run with much success in the latter half of the season.
"You know, mobility and mobility based on the guys you're running from is two different things," Hudson said. "He's athletic enough and he's mobile enough that he can get away and still make the throw. His arm strength is going to make up for him having to move a lot. ... He's mobile enough to beat you. You see it on film. He can roll out and they do a good job of changing the pocket up, so we're going to be stressed in all areas up front."
Arkansas may not necessarily have a few NFL draft prospects on its offensive line, but the Hogs do have consistency with their front four. A year after finishing next-to-last in the nation in sacks allowed (4 per game), the Razorbacks sit comfortably at 62nd nationally (2 per game).
"I can say there's no doubt in my mind, on film, they're the best offensive line I've seen in my career," said Wilson, who's played against at least three NFL linemen while at ECU. "All of them together, they're sound, they don't make mistakes and they're good at what they do.
"It's going to be a great challenge and we're all for the challenge because we like to think of ourselves as one of the best (defensive) fronts in the nation."