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Schedule Game 1: N. Mexico St. Game 2: Arkansas Game 3: Rice Game 4: Tulane Game 5: K-State Game 6: Oklahoma Game 7: Iowa St. Game 8: Baylor Game 9: Nebraska Game 10: OSU Game 11: Texas Tech Game 12: Texas A&M Orange Bowl: vs. FSU • Index • Methodology • The Real Schedule • Talk UT Sports |
Breaking Down The Matchup
By Matt Thompson
Austin360
Arkansas Overview: The real Razorbacks went 9-5 in 2002, 5-3 in the Southeastern Conference, advancing to the Music City Bowl, where they lost to Minnesota, 29-14.
Injuries forced them into various looks, with players such as Fred Talley stepping up to rush for over 1,000 yards when projected stud Cedric Cobbs went down with a toe injury in the fourth game of the season. Talley has since graduated, but Cobbs looks healthy, posting (by far) the highest rushing totals in the Razorbacks' Red-White Game April 5.
Quarterback Matt Jones, a big-time athlete, was usually more dangerous as a rusher than a thrower, and he spent this spring working at wide receiver more than under center, leaving quarterbacking duties up to Ryan Sorahan and Cedric Washington, among others.
Defensively, the team lost a lot when safety Ken Hamlin departed early for the NFL. This leaves Arkansas both a little small and a little inexperienced in the defensive backfield.
The video version of the Razorbacks didn't play around with the whole "Jones at wideout" thing, although Cyber-Jones did go down with an injury in the second game of the season, forcing Sorahan into the starting position against the Cyber-Horns.
And, far from the running-back-by-committee team that the real Arkansas proved to be in 2002, the Cyber-Backs are very much Cobbs' team.
Defensively, the EA version of the Backs aren't missing Hamlin much, as their pass defense is 26th in the nation, despite the fact they were up big in both their first two games.
Records and Rankings: Texas 1-0, No. 4 in coaches' poll, No. 3 in writers' poll; Arkansas 2-0, unranked in both polls.
Offensive Gameplan: We're gonna have to open up the playbook a little bit, but not to the point that we get away from our early-season bread-and-butter. Cedric Benson will get the bulk of the touches -- mostly up the middle and off-tackle -- but I want to see if last week's hot-and-cold performance by Chance Mock was an anomoly or a sign of things to come. Ideally, the subs will get significant playing time.
Defensive Gameplan: Concentrate on Cobbs, limit the option. They don't scare me much at wide receiver, particularly with their second-stringer in at QB. Always be careful, though.
Keys: Keeping Cobbs under wraps. On offense, as Benson goes, so will our team.
Outlook: I'm feeling pretty confident right now, as the team takes to the field. (Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso, who commentate on the game for EA Sports, agree with me. They're predicting a slaughter.)
On to The Game.
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» Boating
» Boat Dealers & Builders
» Boat Excursions & Charters
» Boat Repair & Detailing
» Boat Towing & Transporting
» Dock Builders
» Marinas & Storage
» Bowling
» Camps & Campgrounds
» Fishing Guides & Farms
» Fishing Tackle & Supplies
» Golf
» Guides
» Horse Boarding & Training
» Horse Saddlery & Supplies
» Ice Skating
» Martial Arts Instruction
» Recreation Centers
» Roller Skating
» Scuba Diving
» Shooting Ranges
» Skiing
» Skydiving & Parachuting
» Snowmobiles & ATVs
» Sports Clubs
» Sports Equipment
» Rental & Repair
» Sporting Goods Stores
» Sports Instruction
» Summer Camps
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