Texas vs. Arkansas: Time, Channel, Line & Prediction

Alex Collins was one of two Arkansas running backs to run for 1,000 yards. Jonathan Collins was the other. (Getty)

Alex Collins was one of two Arkansas running backs to run for 1,000 yards. Jonathan Collins was the other. (Getty)

Arkansas finished last in the SEC West this year. Take a glance at the Razorbacks’ schedule and you’ll see why.

Arkansas (6-6, 2-6 SEC) faced 8 teams who were ranked in the Top 5 at the time of the game, including 5 Top 10 teams and No. 1 Mississippi State. The Hogs went 2-6 in those games – both shutout wins over then-No. 17 LSU and then-No. 8 Ole Miss – but were competitive in nearly all of them.

Arkansas faces an old Southwest Conference rival in Texas (6-6, 5-4 Big 12) in Monday’s Texas Bowl. The teams met every year between 1932 and 1991, when Arkansas left to join the SEC.

‘Hogs head coach Bert Bielema came from Wisconsin and brought the Badgers style of play with him to Fayetteville – power running and strong defense. It’s beginning to work.

Charlie Strong‘s Longhorns ended the season on a 5-2 run after beginning 2-6. Texas was 1-5 vs. Top 25 teams.


The Basics

Who:

Texas (6-6) vs. Arkansas (6-6), Texas Bowl

When:

Monday, 9 p.m. Eastern

Where:

NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas

TV Info:

Channel: ESPN
Announcers: Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analysis), Tom Luginbill (sidelines)

Line:

Arkansas (-7). Line provided by bovada.lv

All-Time Series:

Texas leads 56-21

Last Year’s Texas Bowl:

Syracuse 21, Minnesota 17


Arkansas Highlights


Texas Highlights


Heavy’s Pick

With Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, Arkansas is the only FBS team to boast 2 1,000-yard rushers. Williams went for 1,085 yards and 11 touchdowns and Collins 1,024 and 12. Texas is a middle-of-the-pack run defense at 162.1 yards allowed per game, though just 84.5 the past 2.

Quarterback Tyrone Swoopes has been so-so at best in his first year as the Longhorns quarterback. But he hasn’t gotten much help from the running game and the offense finished tied for 101st in the nation in scoring at 22.6 points per game. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks scored 32 per contest.

The lackluster Longhorn offense might have trouble vs. Arkansas’ D, which, as I mentioned earlier, shut out LSU and Ole Miss, and held Alabama to 14 points and Mississippi State 17. Arkansas played better than a 6-6 team in most games.

Strong is going to have Texas ready to play. But his team doesn’t match up very well against Bielema’s squad. Make no mistake, Arkansas is no Alabama. But the Razorbacks have taken their beatings – and given out a few – and are more prepped for this game.

Woooo! Pig Sooie!

Arkansas 28, Texas 17