Texas A&M @ Arkansas preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2014 ) Arkansas 28, Texas A&M 35

Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett leads the nation in sacks through three games, and figures to be in better shape Saturday when the 15th-ranked Aggies open SEC play against Arkansas in Arlington, Texas. Garrett, who had his wisdom teeth removed days before last week’s 44-27 victory over Nevada, recorded 3 1/2 sacks against the Wolfpack and comes into the conference opener with 5 1/2 sacks this season.

The Aggies also have been sharp on offense, averaging 46 points per game thanks in part to quarterback Kyle Allen’s nine touchdown passes – four coming last week. Things are not going nearly as well for Arkansas, which has dropped back-to-back games to Toledo and Texas Tech while head coach Bret Bielema has attracted national attention for his verbal jousting with Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Razorbacks lost wide receiver Jared Cornelius to a broken left arm last week, the latest in a series of injuries threatening to further derail Arkansas’ season. Arkansas leads the all-time series 41-27-3, but the Aggies are 3-0 against the Razorbacks since joining the SEC.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Texas A&M -7.5

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (3-0): Garrett, a consensus freshman All-American last season, added a career-best four tackles for loss last week as the Aggies are thriving under new defensive coordinator John Chavis, leading the nation in sacks (15) and tackles for loss (36). Allen, who added a rushing score last week, has completed 34 of his past 51 passes while running back Tra Carson is averaging 21.5 carries for 106.3 yards per game in his past four contests (including last year’s Liberty Bowl). Texas A&M leads the SEC in net punting average (44.3) and punt return average (27.7).

ABOUT ARKANSAS (1-2): Quarterback Brandon Allen has lost several key targets to injury in Cornelius, Cody Hollister and Keon Hatcher (both sidelined with a broken foot), but the senior still leads the SEC with 916 passing yards. The Razorbacks have not allowed a sack through three games and pace the SEC in time of possession (34:39 average). Alex Collins rushed for 170 yards last week and is fourth in the conference in rushing (351 yards), but the Razorbacks scored just three second-half points against Texas Tech.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Brandon Allen is 61 yards shy of becoming the seventh Razorbacks QB to pass for 5,000 yards in his career.

2. Texas A&M junior DL Daeshon Hall has four sacks, third in the SEC and seventh nationally.

3. The Razorbacks ranked 10th nationally in total defense last season, but gave up 486 yards last week and did not force Texas Tech to punt.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 34, Arkansas 17