ARLINGTON, Texas — Old Southwest Conference rivals Arkansas and Texas A&M are viewed as teams on the rise under third-year coaches, but the Razorbacks’ revival under Bobby Petrino appears to be on a faster track.
The No. 11 Razorbacks (3-1) and the Aggies (3-1) will get another gauge of their progress when they meet today at Cowboys Stadium at 2:30 p.m. in the second game of their 10-year deal that renewed the series.
Arkansas is a 5 1 /2-point favorite for the clash of SEC and Big 12 teams. The Razorbacks won 47-19 last season.
“I think we’re a confident football team that’s ready for a game,” Petrino said.
“I think we’re moving in the right direction,” Texas A&M Coach Mike Sherman said. “You want to be able to play a team like Arkansas on national TV and be able to give it your best.”
The game will pit two of the nation’s most dynamic passing offenses, quarterbacks and receiving corps and defenses that have shown improvement.
The Razorbacks, led by quarterback Ryan Mallett, average 468 yards per game to rank 18th in the country, while the Aggies put up 509.8 yards per game behind quarterback Jerrod Johnson and rank sixth nationally.
The Aggies are eager to atone for last year’s loss to the Hogs, when they led 10-0 before falling under an avalanche of points.
“This is a statement game,” Aggies linebacker Garrick Williams said. “If our defense can go out and hold our composure and play like we’re supposed to play, I think we can limit their offense.”
Both teams are coming off deflating losses.
Arkansas held a 13-point lead against No. 1 Alabama with 16 minutes remaining two weeks ago, but could not hold on in a 24-20 defeat.
“We’re itching to get back on the field,” Mallett said.
“We’ve got a lot of anger built up, a lot of frustration from the last game,” Arkansas running back Ronnie Wingo Jr. said. “We’ve got to take it out on Saturday.”
The Aggies had a two-touchdown lead against Oklahoma State at halftime Sept. 30, then rallied to tie from a 35-21 deficit before falling 38-35 on a field goal at the final horn.
Johnson threw four interceptions in the game and lost a fumble, the same negative stats he posted in his previous outing against Florida International. He and Sherman faced plenty of questions about his surgically repaired shoulder, his decision-making and his execution last week.
“I’m not doing anything differently,” Johnson said. “It’s not like they’re out there confusing me. I know what coverage they’re in and I know what our guys are doing.
“We’re executing fairly well, but catastrophic turnovers are hurting us. I wish I could tell you something that would change.”
Johnson has plenty of play making options at his disposal, led by receivers Jeff Fuller and Ryan Swope, who each average more than six receptions per game. Fuller, who missed last year’s game against the Hogs with a broken leg, is Texas A&M’s career leader with 21 touchdown catches.
The Aggies have shown more inclination to run the ball, with Christine Michael averaging 107 rushing yards per game and Cyrus Gray averaging 46.
“They’re explosive as heck,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “The quarterback is a big guy ... who is really dynamic in what he does, and their skill guys are good.”
The Aggies, who frequently run a hurry-up system and average 90 snaps per game, have allowed 3 1 /2 sacks per game. Both teams are among the worst in the nation in takeaway margin, averaging minus-1 per game.
Arkansas has recovered just one fumble by an opponent. The Razorbacks worked extra in practice on stripping the ball this week.
Offensively, the Hogs will match up against Texas A&M’s new 3-4defensive set, coordinated by Tim DeRuyter. The Aggies rank No. 14 nationally in total defense, No. 3 in rush defense and No. 12 in pass efficiency defense.
“This is a different type of 3-4 defense,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “They have a really good zone blitz package and they disguise things.
“I read a quote where their head coach said that practicing against it in fall camp, what you see is not necessarily what you get, and he’s right.”
Arkansas has talked about squeezing more productivity out of its running game, which ranks 102nd in the nation with 103 yards per game.
“We’ve worked hard on it,” Petrino said. “I’ve liked what I’ve seen. I think our quarterback’s clued in. It’s been very good in practice.”
Sports, Pages 19 on 10/09/2010