Vanderbilt @ Arkansas preview
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 16, 2006 ) Arkansas 21, Vanderbilt 19
Despite its 5-2 record and No. 18 ranking, Arkansas finds itself buried in the bottom tier of the brutal SEC West standings with a 2-2 league mark. This game should help the Razorbacks move a rung up the ladder as they make a push to enhance their bowl stature.
Arkansas is coming off a 38-24 victory over Ole Miss. Vanderbilt (2-5, 1-3) lost to South Carolina 21-7 last Saturday.
The Razorbacks have been able to thrive without a running game — or much of a defense — because they have one of the best passing games in the country. Arkansas ranks first in the SEC in passing offense and second in total offense.
Ryan Mallett has averaged 291.4 passing yards a game, ninth in the NCAA and first in the SEC. He has thrown for 2,040 yards with 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a .674 completion percentage.
Greg Childs is among the SEC leaders with six touchdown catches, 81.7 receiving yards per game and 5.9 receptions per game. Joe Adams averages 77.7 receiving yards a game and 18.1 yards a catch. Knile Davis leads Arkansas with 470 rushing yards.
Arkansas boasts a huge offensive line, including a trio of third-year starters, that has remained intact through the first six games.
The defensive front has also established stability, starting the same front four in three straight games. Arkansas is second in the SEC in sacks, averaging 2.86 per game. Defensive end Jake Bequette leads the team with 5.0 sacks and has 6.0 tackles for loss.
Arkansas ranks ninth in the SEC in total defense, allowing 356.3 yards per game. The Razorbacks are next to last in the SEC in rushing offense, gaining just 125.6 yards per game.
Desperate for a spark on offense after Vandy gained just 70 yards in the second half last Saturday, head coach Robbie Caldwell switched offensive coordinators this week. Running game coordinator Des Kitchings took over for Jimmy Kiser, who was moved to quarterbacks coach.
Vandy ranks last in the SEC in scoring offense (18.9 points per game), total offense (305.9 yards per game) and rushing defense (182.9). The Commodores are next to last in passing offense (159.6) and total defense (393.9). Vandy's third-down conversion rate of 24 percent ranks ahead of only San Jose State nationally. Arkansas, meanwhile, leads the SEC in third-down defense, holding opponents to 31-percent success rate.
Vandy cornerback Casey Hayward shares the NCAA lead with five interceptions and leads the ACC with 10 defensed passes. Defensive end Tim Fugger ranks fourth nationally with four forced fumbles.
Vandy's defense should get a boost from the return to full strength of senior defensive tackle Adam Smotherman, who has begun working back into the lineup six months after a knee injury. Vandy linebacker Chris Marve ranks eighth in the SEC in tackles with 8.0 per game.
Vandy has a young team, playing 13 true freshmen and only eight seniors. Sophomore Warren Norman ranks fourth in the SEC in all-purpose yardage per game (143.0) and leads the Commodores in rushing yards per game (56.4).