Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

David Harris of AggieYell.com has some keys to the games as far as how Texas A&M needs to play the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday in Arlington, Texas. Naturally, quarterback Jerrod Johnson's play and an avoidance of turnovers by the talented but mistake-prone quarterback are high on the list.

Is there one on senior leader and signal caller Jerrod Johnson? After accounting for 10 turnovers in two games, [A&M Coach] Mike Sherman still seems set on the preseason conference player of the year as his quarterback. But at what point will Sherman hold Johnson accountable for these crippling mistakes? And when will capable backup Ryan Tannehill get his shot to lead this otherwise potent offense?

Against a seemingly average defense in Arkansas, Johnson will have the opportunity to do damage through the air. And with weapons galore flanked out wide, putting up points in JerryWorld Saturday shouldn't be a problem.

However, as has been the case this season, Johnson is struggling and struggling mightily. He's making bad reads. He lacks poise in the pocket. And simply, he is throwing the football terribly.

Yes, in the Oklahoma State game, he made plenty of plays that other quarterbacks don't dream of making -- if only because they won't take chances. But in the end, his mistakes were culpable for the loss.

The Aggies have given up 14 sacks in four games and must contend with Arkansas' end rush from Jake Bequette, Demario Ambrose and Tenarius Wright. Texas A&M might counter some of that, David Harris writes, by running the football - something Arkansas doesn't appear to have handled well in four games, he says. Of course, one of those four opponents was might Alabama and maybe the best power running game in the country. Arkansas did limit Georgia's run game to below-average numbers. It's hard to quantify those games against weaklings Louisiana-Monroe and Tennessee Tech.

"Run the Rock" is the mantra, and No. 3 on the keys list by David Harris, who writes:

For all the hoopla surrounding the Razorback pass rush, the Hogs' are susceptible to the running game. They've given up nearly 700 yards rushing in just four games. Their linebackers are athletic but are not very physical at the point of attack. And because of this, Christine Michael will have opportunities a plenty to gash this defense. That is, of course, as long as Sherman commits to the run.

It is the only way this team is going to win this game. Run the rock, run it again and run it again. Have faith in the guys up front to get a push and let your all-conference back pick his holes because they will be there.

Not to mention, it'd be nice to keep Ryan Mallett and company off of the field.

David Harris' summation in all this is that A&M will expose Arkansas' defense for what it is, "mediocre." His word.