Arkansas @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Texas A&M 38, Arkansas 42

Reeling Arkansas tries to break a three-game skid and turn around its nightmare season when it visits Southeastern Conference newcomer Texas A&M at raucous Kyle Field on Saturday. The Razorbacks got quarterback Tyler Wilson back from a concussion last week against Rutgers, but he couldn’t help a defense that ranks 111th nationally against the pass (312.2 yards per game). The Aggies have routed two cupcakes after opening the season with a 20-17 home loss to now-No. 12 Florida. Arkansas leads the series 41-24-3, including winning all three games played from 2009-11 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This is the Hogs’ first visit to College Station since 1991.

TV: 12:20 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Texas A&M -13.5

ABOUT ARKANSAS (1-3, 0-1 SEC): You can’t blame Cobi Hamilton for last week’s 35-26 home loss to Rutgers. He caught 10 balls for an SEC-record 303 yards and three touchdowns. It was the 14th-highest receiving yardage total in FBS history. The defense has been atrocious, with coaches blaming youth and inexperience. Freshman cornerback Will Hines was burned for two of Rutgers’ five touchdown passes. The talk in Fayetteville already centers around who will replace coach John L. Smith, who is on a 10-month contract following Bobby Petrino’s sudden departure.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (2-1, 0-1 SEC): Speedy redshirt freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel has completed 67.4 percent of his throws and accounted for 12 TDs (five rushing). He has not thrown an interception, and also leads the team with 262 rushing yards (6.9 yards per carry). Senior running back Christine Michael has yet to get going, with 59 total rushing yards in two games. He missed the Aggies’ win over SMU because of suspension. Defensive end Damontre Moore leads the SEC with six sacks and has eight tackles for loss.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Wilson leads the nation with an average of 19.6 yards per completion. He has 15 completions of at least 25 yards, most in the nation.

2. Arkansas RB Knile Davis is off to a slow start after missing last season with a fractured ankle. He has run for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries.

3. The Aggies’ Dustin Harris is the reigning SEC co-Special Teams Player of the Week after totaling 246 punt return yards in the 70-14 victory over South Carolina State. Harris had a 96-yard return for a touchdown, the second-longest punt return in school history.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 38, Arkansas 27