_FANalysis: Arkansas Offense, Defense and STs by the numbers

[extra point]

Oklahoma State has over 100+ more pass attempts and plays in a defensively weaker conference.  There isn't much comparison.

Arkansas and Texas A&M played, and your comment about their three great wide receivers was HILARIOUS.  

You really are that jaded.  That's the funniest part.

First, no one is saying that Arkansas' receivers aren't good (or even very good).

2nd, no one here cares about total yards, its already been addressed that the Big 12 runs at a quicker pace and therefore most offenses are simply going to gain more yards. However, the fact that OSU was much more efficient (73% completions compared to 63%) and still averaged the same 8.4 yards per ATTEMPT and its hard not to say OSU has the better passing offense, regardless of whether or not Arkansas' recievers are better or not. Then factor in that OSU allowed only 11 sacks on 553 pass attempts compared to 25 on 440 attempts for Arkansas and its hard not see that OSU's offensive line isn't just better, but much better. Finally throw in that OSU averaged 5.4 yards per carry rushing the football compared to 4.34 YPC for Arkansas.

Again, no one is saying that Arkansas' offense isn't good, because it is. But Big 12 fans know good offense and good skill players when we see them because we see them almost every week. I won't argue that Arkansas didn't face better defenses overall on the season (they did), but the fact is they also faced quite a few average and bad defenses. I don't think is fair (or logical) to say that OSU's offensive numbers (or any Big 12 team) are that much more inflated because of the level of defenses they faced compared to Arkansas (or any SEC team) on the season. Overall as an offense I'd say Arkansas is the 3rd or 4th best offense we've faced this year, but we've played better, even if your receivers (as a unit) are better than any other team we've seen.

I watched every oSu and Arkansas game this season.  It's very difficult to compare the two.  Arkansas had injury problems with every one of their top 4 RB's this year which hurt them.  Last year, once Knile Davis became the #1 RB, he averaged 147 ypg his last 7 games against LSU, Ohio State, MS State, South Carolina, etc. (all Top 15 teams).  Dennis Johnson, this year's #1 RB, missed the early season coming off a serious injury last season.  Had they been healthy all year, they would have matched oSu's run output.

Also, Petrino pulled Tyler Wilson early in their 3 easy non-conference games, two at halftime.  He only threw 86 passes in those first 3 games so backup Brandon Mitchell could get reps.  Gundy left Weeden in the game into the 4th against LA-La, AZ and TU where he was able to exploit very weak defenses padding his stats (see his 131 passes those 3 games).  Also, Weeden didn't have to face anyone with near the fire power on defense as Bama and LSU.

Not saying which offense is better, just that big picture season stats are somewhat apples and oranges when you drill down on specifics.

[extra point]

We are giving up 5 sacks per game and a ton of hits on the QB.  KState averages 1.5 sacks per game, so I think three sacks (probably on 3rd downs) is NOT unreasonable to expect.  I'd expect 10-15 SOLID hits on Tyler.  We've literally watched him get completely lit up all year, it is amazing he pops back up like he does.

Yep, I think the last game we played, the stats indicated that Tyler Wilson had been hit over 60 times this season.  But....he does pop up and keeps on playing.  He's one tough dude.  Our 2nd string QB is pretty good--and kind of a big guy if I remember correctly.  We utilize him on 3rd/4th downs that need a yard or so to convert.  He just pushes through whatever is in his way.

One reason he gets hit SO often is because he stands tall in the pocket and delivers with poise KNOWING he's going to be hit.  Other QB's would have ducked out or crouched down and not delivered the pass half of those hits.  That's a BIG plus of Wilson's game.  He had the same poise and patience in the pocket against NC Auburn last year when Mallett went down which is why he was able to throw for 330+ yards and 4 TD's in 3 quarters coming in cold off the bench.

[extra point]

It will be interesting to see if our new DC has any impact on the game.

The defensive scheme is 100% Petrino.  In fact, EVERY facet of the game is 100% Petrino schemed.  Willy Robinson merely called the plays Petrino designed.  Whether the new DC will be able to install his own defense next year is a question for next year, not the Cotton Bowl.  Petrino calls the offensive plays he also designed.  Not having OC Garrick McGee to work with Tyler might hurt a little bit, but Tyler knows Paul Petrino well (this is Tyler's 4th year, 2 with Paul as OC, 2 with McGee as OC).  Not having Robinson is not going to make much difference.

[asava]

it really is a treat to see _FAN shut down all these arky's. 

[4windshawg]

it really is a treat to see _FAN shut down all these arky's. 

It sure is.. Man you guys are sooooo cool..!

[kso_FAN]

Congrats to Arkansas. The team that made the fewest mistakes, but also the most plays, won the game.

[bozocat]

Don't think we saw the best efforts of either team out there.   Not a lot to brag about either way.

[SuperG]

Surprising performance by the Arky defense IMO. I think their speed was the big difference and perhaps the speed of their front four was something we haven't seen this year.

I was led to believe we should have been able to run on them with ease. CK did have a couple of nice runs, but we were NEVER close to imposing our will in the running game. Also, when that safety closed on Klein with ease as he was trying to get to the sideline and the first down marker in the first half (I think), I knew there would be nothing easy for our running game.