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Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Five Questions for Razorbackers Editor Cory Thone

By Caleb Calhoun

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All for Tennessee recently spoke with Razorbackers Editor Cory Thone about the Tennessee vs. Arkansas game Saturday. Here is his take on the Razorbacks and their prospects against the Vols.

What figured to be an exciting conversation when the season began took on a completely different tone, as the sense of desperation was there on our and the other side in this week’s five questions.

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Tennessee and Arkansas are both playing to salvage their season this Saturday, and the loser will be in seriously bad shape. The winner, meanwhile, has a chance to right the ship with October football here.

As a result of this, Razorbackers Editor Cory Thone realizes about Arkansas what we realize about the Vols. Knowing that, here is his take on the Razorbacks for this Saturday’s Tennessee vs. Arkansas game.

1. What is the biggest reason for Arkansas’s surprisingly terrible start to the season? Is it Jonathan Williams’s injury, Bret Bielema’s coaching, or were they just overhyped to start the season?

CT: It’s a combination of things, I think. Losing Williams definitely hurts. The Hogs have been playing without their #1 and #3 running back, and are without their #1, 2, and 4 receivers as well. The injury bug bit us hard this year. However, the Razorbacks were definitely overhyped. They lost 4 starters off their defense to the NFL draft, and another 3 starters/contributors to graduation. One of those undrafted guys, Carroll Washington, ended up on an NFL roster as well. So, we lost 5 NFL caliber defensive players and 2 other starters off a team that has a horrible defensive depth chart.

I wrote about it around 2 weeks ago, but the last 2 Petrino classes had 53 kids sign with Arkansas, and only 14 are still on campus. Of the 8 linebackers that Petrino signed, zero are on campus. The defensive depth is awful. Arkansas will be bringing back 9 out of 11 starters on defense, and has only 1 other senior listed on the defensive depth chart. Crazy young.

2. Is Bret Bielema on the hot seat in Arkansas? If he is, how can he get off of it? If not, what will put him on it?

CT: No, he’s not. Some fans may think he is, but they’re stupid. If the UA did fire Bielema, then they’d be starting their 3rd rebuild in 9 years. What coach would want to walk into that situation? The team has struggled out of the gate, in large part due to injuries, but I’m actually hapy with the progress being made in recruiting and off the field issues. Last year’s class was very good, and this year’s class looks even better. Fans just need to relax. At the worst, Bielema gets fired next year. But he’s safe for now.

3. What is a Tennessee weakness that Arkansas should be able to exploit?

CT: Arkansas should be able to run the ball, and control the clock while on offense. The best thing we can do is keep your offense off the field, just like we did against A&M. If the Hogs can keep the running game solid and limit stupid penalties, then they will have a shot in the game.

4. What is an Arkansas weakness that Tennessee should be able to exploit?

CT: Our linebackers, definitely. Our junior captain linebacker Brooks Ellis is great against the run, but he seems to be a step behind in the passing game. True freshman Dre Geenlaw plays well, but gave up a big score late to A&M on busted coverage. We haven’t seen much of our other linebackers because we’ve played against so many spread teams, but I’m assuming they aren’t as good as Ellis or Greenlaw. The middle of the field is perpetually open against Arkansas.

5. What are the keys to an Arkansas victory?

CT: The Hogs need to control the clock and not commit stupid penalties. If the Razorbacks don’t jump offsides and commit some dumb holds, then Arkansas is potentially 3-1 right now with the only loss coming to Texas Tech. The Razorbacks have had multiple touchdowns called back by penalties, and have given up important 3rd and 4th down yardage to motion penalties all season. Play smart and run well, and the Hogs will have a chance.

6. What is the worst and best memory of the Arkansas-Tennessee football series that fans share? Does anybody remember the Clint Stoerner fumble of 1998, the Clint Stoerner comeback of 1999, the six-overtime game of 2002, or the Arkansas upset at Neyland in 1992?

CT: The Stoerner saga is probably the most remembered by the two fanbases, obviously. But for me, my favorite memory was waking up early for GameDay in Fayetteville in 2006, and watching McFadden have a Hesiman showcase on the field. Two very good teams out there on the field. That’s my favorite memory of our games. That and the Joe Adams punt return, haha.

7. What is your score prediction?

CT: Arkansas hangs tough through the first half, but eventually gives up some big plays. The Hogs score late to keep it close, but ultimately, the crowd and playmaking ability of Tennessee is too much for the Hogs. UT wins at home 31-24.

Cory Thone is the Editor of Razorbackers, the Arkansas Razorbacks website of the Fansided Network. You can find out more about his site by clicking here.

Next: Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Five Vols to Watch for vs. Gators

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