NASHVILLE — Arkansas better have its antennae up.
The BCS No. 10 Razorbacks are a 9 1/2-point favorite in today’s 11:21 a.m. Central game at Vanderbilt, but a number of factors indicate the Commodores could pull off an upset.
Arkansas (6-1, 2-1 SEC) has started sluggishly in both of its previous morning kickoffs this season - having been outscored 52-24 in the first halves against Texas A&Mand Ole Miss before rallying for victories - and the Razorbacks have shown flaws in all their games away from home.
In Vanderbilt (4-3, 1-3), the Hogs will face a take away minded Commodores defense that has intercepted 15 passes in seven games. The Commodores also have the kind of ball-control running attack that has frustrated Arkansas, and their players and fans have bought into the buzz created by first-year Coach James Franklin.
“They’re relentless,” Arkansas offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. “You can see their coaches on the sideline have a lot of energy.”
Arkansas is 2-0 against the Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium since joining the SEC, winning here in 1995 and 2006, but the Razorbacks are on upset alert.
“Maybe historically they don’t have the best record, but they’re always tough, just like any other team in the conference,” defensive end Jake Bequette said. “Like yousaw on Saturday, if you don’t bring your ‘A’ game, you have a chance to get beat by anyone.”
Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino said his players are well aware of Vanderbilt’s potential.
“What gets their attention is when you put the video on and you watch them on video and you see how well they play the game,” said Petrino, who can even his career SEC record at 14-14 with a victory today. “They play good defense. They know exactly what their package is.
“We have to go play a good football game. Play hard, playfast, do things right to win the game.”
The Commodores have just one home victory against a ranked team in the past 19 years, 14-13 over No. 19 Auburn in 2008.
“It’s going to be a real challenge,” Franklin said. “Their offense, their passing offense, against our defensive backs. ... Our D-line trying to get pressure against their O-line. We’re just looking forward to the opportunity.”
Petrino said this week that despite his team’s 38-14 loss at Alabama, all the Hogs’ goals - topped by the BCS national championship - are still available.
“We know it’s up to us to take care of our business,” he said.
Arkansas is looking for an upgraded offensive performance after Ole Miss held quarterback Tyler Wilson to 46 percent passing last weekand limited the Razorbacks’ top four receivers - Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Cobi Hamilton - to a combined six receptions for 164 yards.
The Razorbacks might need their running game - led last week by Dennis Johnson’s 160 rushing yards - to loosen up the Commodores, who have the No. 22 pass efficiency defense in the nation.
Wilson said he is focused on coming out of the locker room ready to produce this week after a series of slow starts.
“We’ve got a lot of competitive people out here, but we’re not coming out with a sense of urgency that we need to have,” Wilson said. “Everybody in the world knows that’s our weakness the past couple of weeks.”
Vanderbilt is expected to give its offensive reins totransfer quarterback Jordan Rodgers for the second consecutive week.
Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, has replaced Larry Smith and sparked the Vanderbilt offense as a better run threat.
“He’s done a lot for them, basically changed the game for them a little bit,” Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin said.
“Rodgers looks like he handles the offense well,” Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. “He does a nice job of managing it.”
Tailback Zac Stacy has 285 rushing yards the past two games, including a 197-yard effort with three touchdowns last week.
“We’ve got to stop him first,” Robinson said. “I think they’ll go in with the same game plan that Ole Miss did and try to control the ball.”
Sports, Pages 21 on 10/29/2011