ANALYSIS

Hogs learning tough lessons

Arkansas coach Bret Bielema heads off the field following the Razorbacks' 52-0 loss to Alabama Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Arkansas coach Bret Bielema heads off the field following the Razorbacks' 52-0 loss to Alabama Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

FAYETTEVILLE - The transition period from the shaky interim regime of John L. Smith to Bret Bielema at Arkansas has been as bumpy as some analysts projected heading into the second half of the SEC season.

The Razorbacks, 3-5 overall and 0-4 in the SEC, will have to win their remaining four games to post a winning record, and they have to win at least three to become bowl eligible.

“The good news is I think our kids every game have understood what we’re asking them to do, they’re buying into what we’ve got a little bit more,” Bielema said. “We still don’t have all the probably right ammunition to fight the right fight, but we’re getting closer on a daily basis.”

The record of Arkansas’ remaining opponents - Auburn (7-1), Ole Miss (5-3), Mississippi State (4-3) and LSU (7-2) - is a healthy 23-9 for a .719 winning percentage. That isn’t far from the 24-7 record and.774 winning percentage of the Razorbacks’ first four SEC opponents: Texas A&M (6-2), Alabama (8-0), Florida (4-3) and South Carolina (6-2).

Arkansas has been outscored 134-17 in its past three games. The Razorbacks are coming off a bye week before taking on SEC West rival and BCS No. 11 Auburn at 5 p.m. Saturday in the on-campus finale.

The following is a look at how the Razorbacks grade out at the midway point of the SEC season:

QUARTERBACK

Brandon Allen was a much more efficient passer and a more dangerous weapon before his ill-fated end zone dive against Southern Miss that left him dealing with an ailing shoulder these past four games. Arkansas’ opponents also have been tougher, particularly since his three-touchdown game against Texas A&M.

Allen has completed 71 of 158 passes (.449) for 995 yards in 7 games. Those type of numbers don’t equate to winning football, but his shoulder is doing better so his numbers should pick up.

GRADE C-minus

RUNNING BACK

Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins both rushed for at least 100 yards in each of the first three games, but things have cooled off considerably since then.

Collins, who became the first major college player since Adrian Peterson to rush for 100-plus yards in his first three games, has 141 carries and is averaging 99.6 yards per game. Williams has 100 carries and is averaging 76.5 yards per game. Both are hard-running tackle breakers who bode well for Arkansas’ future.

Kiero Small is doing his thing as a lead blocker and pass catcher.

GRADE B

RECEIVER

After catching almost everything the first several games, this unit’s slide coincided with the offense’s downward production after the Texas A&M game with too many dropped passes in a 30-10 loss at Florida and in subsequent games.

Javontee Herndon’s production has slowed, and apparently fellow senior Julian Horton has fallen behind younger players like Keon Hatcher, D’Arthur Cowan and Eric Hawkins.

Tight end Hunter Henry appears to be the real deal.

GRADE D

OFFENSIVE LINE

Other than the Florida game, in which Brandon Allen took eight hits, this unit has pass protected pretty well. The run blocking has been solid, even with freshmen Dan Skipper and Denver Kirkland sliding in as starting guards beside veteran center Travis Swanson. David Hurd is capping off a good career at left tackle, while Brey Cook and Grady Ollison have manned the right tackle spot since an early shake-up.

GRADE C

DEFENSIVE LINE

Arkansas’ sack totals have been impressive, led by Chris Smith (six) and Trey Flowers (four), but most of those numbers were compiled in the early games. The loss of Robert Thomas will sting, but redshirt freshman Darius Philon is a rising star.

The Razorbacks are deeper here than anywhere else on the team, and young players like DeMarcus Hodge, Deatrich Wise, Brandon Lewis and JaMichael Winston are on the rise. Run stopping has been shaky in three of the four SEC games, and that must improve fast.

GRADE A-minus

LINEBACKERS

Shuffling has continued throughout the season, with Jarrett Lake winding up in the middle and Braylon Mitchell and Martrell Spaight on the outside. After a decent start, the unit has struggled with alignment and tackling issues during the losing streak.

The talent must be upgraded in recruiting. Brooks Ellis might get a good look down the stretch.

GRADE D

SECONDARY

Depth has been a problem, and an early injury to nickel back Rohan Gaines and the mid-season loss of cornerback Will Hines for several weeks added to the troubles.

Cornerback Tevin Mitchel has been in the middle of the action all year, both good and bad. Safety Alan Turner is the team leader in tackles, but he and safety Eric Bennett have been more chase-and-drag down tacklers than enforcers.

GRADE C-minus

SPECIAL TEAMS

Zach Hocker is kicking as expected on placements and kickoffs, taking over the school’s scoring title in a strong senior season. Sam Irwin-Hill is 16th in punting average and has made an impact player on some trick plays. Dan Skipper has used his 6-10 frame to block two field goals. The coverage teams gave up two devastating returns at Rutgers and have been pretty nondescript otherwise. The same could be said of the Razorbacks’ below-average return teams.

GRADE B-minus

COACHING

Bret Bielema and his staff have tried to stay positive during this rough six-week stretch. Bielema’s two-point conversion attempt late in the third quarter against Texas A&M was a little hasty. There hasn’t been much of a chance to judge clock management or crunch-time decisions yet. Certainly the staff didn’t inherit a roster bursting at the seams with talent, but being outscored 104-7 in their past two games is ugly no matter how you dissect it.

GRADE C

Sports, Pages 17 on 10/31/2013

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