The Good
Arkansas' run game
If you didn't think a power run game was exciting to watch, last Saturday's game between Arkansas and Texas A&M should have changed your mind.
Watching the running backs hit the massive holes created by the offensive line is a thing of football beauty. As Texas A&M coaches noted following the game, preparing for Arkansas' ground attack now is akin to preparing for the no-huddle a few years ago when fewer teams ran the offense.
The Razorbacks' offense has become much more effective this season. Arkansas ran for 286 yards against the Aggies, including 51 on the touchdown run by punter Sam Irwin-Hill on a play that was essentially a sweep.
Alex Collins topped 100 yards for the third time in four games and Jonathan Williams would have done the same had it not been for a penalty that negated a 57-yard run. Williams still finished the game with 95 yards and his eighth rushing touchdown in five games.
Collins leads the SEC with 621 rushing yards this season and Williams is third with 486 yards. They have combined for 14 rushing touchdowns.
With Brandon Allen making better throws this year (he's passed for 199 yards in each of the last two games), Arkansas' offense might be the most improved in the SEC.
Texas A&M
Critics opined that Texas A&M would have a down year in the preseason.
But through five games, Kenny Hill has done something Johnny Manziel never did. The Aggies are 5-0 for the first time in their short SEC lifespan.
Three of those wins have come away from home, improving Texas A&M's record to 13-2 in games played away from Kyle Field under head coach Kevin Sumlin. That's phenomenal.
Hill and his receivers received much of the praise following Saturday's win, but much of the credit should go to the Aggies' defensive front. After Arkansas pushed its way around for much of the first three quarters, Texas A&M had worn down Arkansas' massive offensive line by the end of the game.
Regardless of the offensive or defensive scheme, games are still won in large part because of line play and the Aggies are very good in the trenches.
Martrell Spaight
The linebacker has become the team's most sure tackler.
He recorded 13 more tackles against Texas A&M to bring his season total to a team-leading 43. He also deflected a pass, though it was caught by an Aggies receiver off the tip.
Add in an interception and fumble recovery, and Spaight is putting together a strong case for all-SEC accolades while potentially positioning himself for a mid-round selection in next year's NFL Draft.
The Bad
Late pass coverage
Arkansas' secondary continues to struggle late in close games.
Texas A&M threw touchdown passes of 86 and 59 yards while trailing in the fourth quarter, and a 25-yard touchdown on its only play in overtime. The Aggies' final three scoring drives took 2, 2 and 1 plays, respectively, as Kenny Hill found big holes in the Arkansas secondary.
In their defense, the Razorbacks did make some plays in the last quarter. Carroll Washington made a great play on the ball he intercepted and Arkansas forced the Aggies off the field on the final possession of regulation.
Deep passes have hurt the Razorbacks late in multiple games the last two seasons. In fact, Arkansas has given up a game-winning or game-tying touchdown pass in the fourth quarter three times in its last four SEC games.
The Razorbacks have lost four games - Rutgers, Mississippi State, LSU and Texas A&M - the last two seasons when leading in the fourth quarter. In those games, Arkansas' secondary allowed 545 yards and 7 touchdowns passing in either the fourth quarter or overtime.
Fumbles
There were two fumbles during a center-quarterback exchange Saturday.
Both starter Mitch Smothers and backup Frank Ragnow had issues with Allen. Smothers' fumbled snap resulted in a fumble recovered by Texas A&M in the first quarter. Ragnow's fumbled snap put Arkansas behind the chains on a first down late in the game.
It appears the Razorbacks are going to continue to rotate its centers throughout the season. Smothers is a senior, while Ragnow is a freshman.
Former Arkansas center and Rimington Trophy winner Jonathan Luigs summed up the issues via Twitter during the game. He wrote, "Hopefully C/Q exchange is on the practice agenda this week. Always hated that part of practice but it's importance is undeniable."
Penalties
Dan Skipper is applauded for his ability to get under the opposition's skin, but his play Saturday likely cost Arkansas the game.
You could argue the holding call that nullified Hunter Henry's 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was questionable. The tripping call in the fourth quarter, however, appeared to be blatant and it cost the Razorbacks an insurance score that likely would have put the game away.
Skipper has committed four penalties totaling 50 yards through five games. Three of those penalties overturned touchdowns or first downs totaling 102 yards. The other came on a special teams play.
Arkansas struggled as a team with penalties against the Aggies, committing a season-high eight infractions for 76 yards.
The Ugly
Kicking game
Arkansas' field goal situation isn't good.
Bret Bielema said earlier this season that John Henson's range was from about 42 yards. When Henson missed from 44 yards out Saturday, it was evident Bielema knew what he was talking about.
Henson's kick was never close - the second time we've seen him miss from 40 yards or more this season in as many tries. The field goal would have given the Razorbacks a 31-21 advantage in the final minutes. Instead, Texas A&M was able to remain within one score and eventually tied the game.
Henson's only makes this year were from 22 yards against Nicholls and 21 yards against Northern Illinois.
One has to believe Arkansas coaches will take a long look at the kicking game during the off-week. Freshman Cole Hedlund, an accomplished kicker in high school, appeared to be neck-and-neck with Henson, a fifth-year senior, during the preseason.
Will Hedlund continue to redshirt? Time will tell, but teams must have a field goal kicker it feels confident can make a long-range kick to be competitive in the SEC.
Arkansas struggled in multiple aspects of special teams against the Aggies, including allowing 51 yards on the opening kickoff.
Empty seats
There were several sections at AT&T Stadium that were either entirely or almost entirely empty Saturday.
The attendance was announced as 68,113. That would be the second-lowest for a game between the two teams in Arlington, though it appeared to be the most sparse crowd for any of the Southwest Classic games.
The declining attendance for the game underlines a growing trend across college football in which neutral site games are becoming less attended. Games this season between Florida State-Oklahoma State and Texas-UCLA in Arlington drew just more than 60,000 spectators.
LSU's game against Wisconsin at NRG Stadium in Houston was the only neutral site contest that has drawn a capacity crowd this season.
That the Arkansas-Texas A&M game, chosen by CBS as its national game of the week, had so many empty seats was a little surprising given their ties to Dallas. It could be that ticket prices beginning at $85 for upper deck seats are too high for most to justify paying, especially with every game on TV.
The Razorbacks and Aggies are scheduled to play in Arlington each year through 2024.
Hair tackle
On a play sure to strike a nerve, Collins was pulled down by his hair in the first quarter.
While some fans might have clamored for a flag, the tackle was legal. Rules state hair extending past the helmet is considered part of the uniform and therefore can be grabbed while making a tackle.