Position-by-position matchups

LITTLE ROCK — OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

Larry Smith has thrown all but 11 passes for Vanderbilt this season, and the 6-2, 220-pound junior has completed 85 of 164 (.518) for 1,005 yards, with 5 TDs and 4 interceptions. Smith is 10th in the SEC in passing at 143.6 yards per game and 100th in the NCAA efficiency ratings (108.5). Smith is also tied for the most rushing attempts on the team with 66. So he’s a little like Auburn’s Cam Newton and Ole Miss’ Jeremiah Masoli in the offense’s dependency on him, but with less speed and breakaway ability and fewer playmakers around him than the last two quarterbacks the Hogs have faced. Ryan Mallett’s injuries the past two weeks have allowed the Razorbacks to get a nice long look at Tyler Wilson, and the future looks bright. Despite bruising his shoulder blade against the Rebels, Mallett should make his 21st consecutive start. His numbers were slightly down the past few games, but he’s still completed 145 of 215 (.674) for 2,040 yards, with 15 TDs and 7 ints. Mallett ranks ninth in NCAA pass efficiency (163.7) and in passing yards per game (291.4). Wilson is 29 of 42 for 403 yards, with 4 TDs and 3 ints. His efficiency rating is 167.9, but his interceptions are an issue. Arkansas’ streak of six consecutive 300-yard passing games ended last week.

Running backs

Warren Norman, a 195-pounder, is one of Vanderbilt’s top players. Norman (66 carries, 395 yards, 4 TDs) averages 6 yards per carry and 56.4 rushing yards per game. The sophomore has made five starts, and he’s also fourth on the team with 11 receptions for 110 yards. Zac Stacy (50-297, 3) gets plenty of work and averages 5.9 yards per carry. The Commodores are eighth in the SEC in rushing (146.3 yards per game). Arkansas has gotten a boost from sophomore Knile Davis (66-470, 4) the past few weeks, punctuated by his 176-yard, 3-TD game last week. Davis flashed sprinter’s speed by outrunning the Ole Miss secondary. Ronnie Wingo (18-123, 1) had a 25-yard run last week and he’s averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Broderick Green continues to lead the Hogs with 69 rushes, but after a late fumble against Auburn and a 1-yard carry last week, he’s slipped on the depth chart. Green (69-221, 2) is averaging 3.2 yards per carry. The Razorbacks rank 11th in the SEC in rushing (125.6 ypg) but they’re fifth with 4.55 yards per carry, so the attack can be productive.

Receivers

Tight end Brandon Barden, who has made 13 consecutive starts, is the team leader with 21 receptions for 247 yards and 2 TDs. The Commodores average just 6.4 yards per pass (compared to Arkansas’ 9.5), which speaks to a subpar completion percentage (.509) and more of a midlevel attack. Starting wideouts John Cole (15-211, 1), Jonathan Krause (12-148) and Udom Umoh (9-166, 2) average a combined 5 receptions per game. Arkansas’ Greg Childs is back from his twisted ankle. Childs (41-572, 6) made a somersaulting touchdown catch last week and doesn’t get enough regional or national attention. With Joe Adams (ankle) out, guys like tight end D.J. Williams (28-334), Jarius Wright (19-338) and Cobi Hamilton (14-227, 2) should get more chances, while De’Anthony Curtis and Julian Horton will man Adams’ inside slot. Wright’s 17.8 yards per catch trails Adams’ team lead (18.1) only slightly.

Line

The Commodores present one of the lightest and youngest fronts in the business, particularly with senior center Joey Bailey (high ankle sprain) likely sidelined. Two freshmen and two sophomores are slated to start, and only Kyle Fischer (305 pounds) and Ryan Seymour (315) on the right side weigh more than 300 pounds. Left tackle Wesley Johnson (6-5, 280) has a nice frame and good upside, but he’s a redshirt freshman. Vandy has allowed 17 sacks. Arkansas’ line made its strongest statement of the season last week, leading a 197-yard rushing effort on the heels of its 566 total yards at Auburn. Tackle DeMarcus Love will make his team-high 25th consecutive start. Freshman guard Alvin Bailey is coming off a dominating showing against Ole Miss. Arkansas piles up 477 total yards per game, 12th in the country. The Hogs’ 13 sacks allowed isn’t bad for a club that averages 37 passes per game.

DEFENSE

Line

Vanderbilt tackles T.J. Greenstone (7 tackles, 1 sack) and Adam Smotherman have played in 65 career games combined, and they’re both recently back from injuries. Rob Lohr (25, 4 1/2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks) and Colt Nichter (20, 31/2, 1) were solid in their absence. Reserve end Walker May (23, 4, 1 1/2) has more tackles than starters Tim Fugger (15, 4, 2) and Theron Kadri (14, 1 TFL). Fugger has forced an SEC-best 4 fumbles. Arkansas offensive line coach Chris Klenakis called this front “salty.” Arkansas tackle D.D. Jones’ seven-start streak will end by suspension, elevating Lavunce Askew (12, 2 1/2 TFL) to a starting role. Byran Jones (21), Alfred Davis (16, 2, 1), Zach Stadther and Patrick Jones make up a solid interior rotation. End Jake Bequette (23, 6, 5) bounced back well last week, while Damario Ambrose (15, 3.5, 2 1/2) has been steady, along with Tenarius Wright (18, 4, 3). Colton Miles-Nash (5, half-tackle for loss) is making progress. Once again, rush lanes will be important against a scrambling Larry Smith.

Linebackers

Vandy’s middle linebacker, Chris Marve (48, 3 tackles for loss), who is working on a third consecutive year of 100 tackles, wears the honorary “KD1” patch, voted on by teammates, in honor of Kwane Doster, the school’s only SEC Freshman of the Year, who was killed in 2004. John Stokes (53, 3 1/2 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries), with 20 career starts, is having a strong season. Nate Campbell (15, 4 TFL) is a native of Hazen who probably will have lots of family in attendance. The Commodores don’t substitute much at this spot. Arkansas hasn’t been super active subbing for the trio of Jerry Franklin (56, 7 1/2, 21/2), Jerico Nelson (45, 5, 1 fumble recovery) and Anthony Leon (44, 10, 2 1/2) either. Leon ranks fifth in the SEC with 1.43 tackles for loss per game. Ross Rasner (19, 5, 2) has provided snaps off the bench, along with Terrell Williams (12), Jermaine Love (9) and Freddy Burton (6). The Hogs are hoping to be more forceful at the line of scrimmage today.

Secondary

Cornerback Casey Hayward (43 tackles), a preseason All-SEC choice, is tied for the NCAA lead with 5 interceptions, and he’s atop the SEC with 10 passes defended. Across from him, Eddie Foster (33, 4 tackles for loss) has played well with an interception, 2 pass breakups and a hurry. Strong safety Sean Richardson (60, 6 1/2 TFL, 2 hurries) leads the team in tackles. Free safety Kenny Ladler (30, 1 TFL) has forced and recovered a fumble. Vandy ranks 58th in pass defense (211 yards per game) and 87th in pass efficiency defense. Arkansas safeties Tramain Thomas (37, 3 1/2 TFL, 2 interceptions) and Rudell Crim (36, 1 1/2 TFL, 2 interceptions) have played a bunch of snaps. Elton Ford (23, 2 TFL) is coming on strong, and Andru Stewart (12) picked off Alabama’s Greg McElroy this year. Cornerback Ramon Broadway (36, 6 PBU) has a streak of four consecutive games with a pass interference call, but he’s been the team’s top cover corner. On the other side, Isaac Madison (17, 4 PBU) appears ready to reclaim the starting role from Darius Winston (8, 1 PBU), who struggled making plays while in position last week.

Special teams

Richard Kent’s punting average of 40.4 ranks 65th nationally and looks mediocre, but he’s placed 20 of 53 punts inside the 20, and Vanderbilt’s net punting average (38.9) is 25th in the NCAA and third in the SEC. Warren Norman is a solid kickoff returner with a 24.8-yard average that ranks 55th. He has 3 career kick return scores and set Vandy’s modern day record last year with a 26.2-yard average. Kicker Ryan Fowler is 15 of 16 on extra point attempts and 3 of 4 on field goal attempts and could use more work. John Cole’s punt return average (9.4) is fifth in the SEC. Arkansas will miss its all-purpose yardage leader, Joe Adams, but Jarius Wright projects as a quality punt returner in his spot. Punter Dylan Breeding (43.6-yard average) ranks 31st, but the Hogs’ net punting (34.9) is 85th and on the decline. Alex Tejada provided 3 touchbacks last week and has his season total up to 13, 13th in the nation. Lance Ray provided a minispark with a 22-yard kick return average last week.

Intangibles

The Commodores have not been a bad road team in recent history, with a 9-19 record on the road since defeating Arkansas 28-24 in Fayetteville in 2005. Vanderbilt is essentially a three-touchdown underdog today, however, and they’re facing a Bobby Petrino-coached team that loses only rarely when favored. Arkansas will be playing its first back-to-back games on campus this season, so the home folks should be motivated. The Razorbacks still have their sights on a major postseason bowl, so it’s difficult to picture a letdown today, even without a couple of standout starters in Joe Adams and D.D. Jones.