NASHVILLE — James Franklin talks like he’d pay to watch Arkansas’ passing game match up against Vanderbilt’s pass defense today.
But admission is free for Franlkin, Vanderbilt’s first-year coach, and he’ll have an upclose view today from the sideline at Vanderbilt Stadium.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Franklin said. “We’re working like crazy ... to be prepared for that.”
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said his players are eager to see how they stack up.
“I mean our players are excited about it,” Petrino said. “They watch them on video.Obviously we know them pretty well - same matchups as we had last year.”
The Razorbacks have the nation’s No. 9 passing offense, averaging 321.9 yards per game, while the Commodores are 25th in pass defense, allowing 191.3 yards per game through the air.
Arkansas quarterbacks Tyler Wilson and Brandon Mitchell have combined to throw four interceptions, but they’ll be up against a Vanderbilt defense that has intercepted 15 passes in seven games, tied for the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Fourteen of Vanderbilt’s interceptions have been by defensive backs.
“They play the ball really well,” Wilson said. “They’re a physical, tough defense and they’re competitive guys.”
Arkansas coaches said the Commodores blitzed on 63 percent of their snaps against Georgia, and the Hogs have similar offensive principles to the Bulldogs.
“We’re emphasizing getting the ball into our playmakers’ hands, getting it out quick and letting us make plays,” Wilson said.
Vanderbilt tests communication on the offensive line with its blitzing, pressuring quarterbacks into making snap decisions and breakingon the ball with its talented backs.
“They do a good job of anticipating the routes,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “They understand route structure. ... They are, you can see it on film, making a lot of diving interceptions.”
Franklin said Arkansas receivers play fast all the time, not just after making catches.
“They’re as deep at the wide receiver position as any team I’ve seen in college football,” Vanderbilt defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said.
The Commodores’ respect for Wilson is evident also.
“He’s got the arm to make any pass on the field - deep ball, short ball, intermediate,” Vanderbilt cornerback Casey Hayward said.
“He makes his reads well, gets the ball to the open man,” linebacker Chris Marve said. “So we’re going to have to minimize the number of guys that are open so we can try to make him nervous and get his feet moving and do what we have to do to be successful.”
Commodores cornerback Trey Wilson said Arkansas does not lose much when it puts its reserve receivers in the game.
“I’d say it’s one of the better receiving corps out there, but it will be going against one of the best secondaries out there too, so it’s going to be a good matchup,” Wilson said.
Sports, Pages 25 on 10/29/2011