Game 4: Arkansas

Rutgers travels down to SEC country for the first time since 2004 to take on the 1-2 Arkansas Razorbacks. The Hogs are a very talented team, but their season has been savaged by turmoil, as Bobby Petrino was fired and interim coach John L. Smith seems to have no control of the team. Rutgers is coming  off a big conference win over South Florida 10 days ago, and they will be trying to get some national respect for themselves and the Big East in this game.

Rutgers on Offense
Jawan Jamison carried the ball a school record 41 times last Thursday, and he should expect to carry a similar load today, as he's had a few extra days of rest and there is a bye week next week. The offensive line has been playing great so far this year, and they need to push around Arkansas' defensive line that has been steamrolled so far this year.

The offensive line has not allowed a sack so far this year, and if they give Garry Nova time to throw the ball, he could do some damage. Nova seemed to really mature last game against USF, and he needs to have another big game today to show it was not a fluke. Tim Wright seems to have stepped it up as the go to receiver in this offense, and DC Jefferson and Mark Harrison have proved to be reliable targets as well. They could have a field day against a very poor, inexperienced Razorback secondary.

Rutgers on Defense
All SEC quarterback Tyler Wilson will get the start for the Hogs today after missing the last game and a half with a concussion. He is one of the best QBs in the nation, and facing him will be a big test for Rutgers' heralded secondary. Wilson loves throwing the deep ball, and the corners will have to lock the receivers up and stay with them down the field, as they will be left on an island in man coverage. A lot of the defense's success today will ride on their play. Duron Harmon will have to be a ball hawk today and help the corner out over the top, in the event they get beat. The underneath pass defenders will be tasked with keeping Arkansas' leading receiver, tight end Chris Gragg, in check, as he runs a lot of shallow routes across the middle in spots vacated by blitzers. Arkansas has done a terrible job in pass protection, have been totally overwhelmed by blitzes, and Wilson is not that mobile, so the pass rush should be all over Wilson and record multiple sacks, or at least force him to make bad throws.

Arkansas's offense loves to run the ball to the outside with sweeps and stretch plays, so the defensive ends must be able to keep contain, and the linebackers are going to need to make a lot of plays in space too. Their startng running back, Knile Davis, is only averaging 3.5 yards a carry after missing all of last year with a broken leg. In 2010 when he was healthy, he was an explosive back rushing for over 1300 yards, while averaging 6 a carry. Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo will get some carries as well, and they have both been much more productive this year. They have a big offensive line, but they're not the quickest in the world, and Rutgers will need to fire out quick and penetrate up the middle.

Penalties
CUT THE CRAP AND BE DISCIPLINED! STOP KILLING YOUR OWN DRIVES ON OFFENSE AND EXTENDING DRIVES ON DEFENSE! 

Injury Report
Savon Huggins will miss his second straight game with a lower body injury but  third string RB Paul James should play, as he just returned to practice this week after suffering a high ankle sprain.

Holder/safety JT Tarcoff will be out with a broken finger.

Michal Larrow will serve the final game of his 4 game suspension. Marcus Thompson is still out at DE as well, and the staus of DT Al Page is uncertain.

Andre Civil will return to the lineup after missing last week with an injury.

Prediction- Rutgers 26 Arkansas 24
I did not think Rutgers would win this game all offeseason, but John L. Smith has made me a believer. Arkansas is in turmoil, if you come out and punch them in the mouth right away, they will fold. This could make or break their season. Rutgers could earn a lot of national respect with a win, even though the Hogs are down.