Brandon Allen is more diplomatic than Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.
He wouldn’t throw his coaching staff under the bus. Although I’m sure Allen stands with everyone else other than Coach Bret Bielema in agreeing that settling for a field goal in the final minute of a 51-50 home loss to Mississippi State was the wrong call.
Allen passed for seven touchdowns and was primed for another, but Bielema took the ball out of Allen’s hot hand and placed the pressure squarely on the shoulders of an inconsistent redshirt freshman kicker. Bad decision.
That call, not to mention trying to hit on a long pass on fourth-and-1 in the second half, will be scrutinized up until the last bit of turkey is devoured Thursday night. However, the Hogs can still end the season with two wins, which considering the rash of injuries should satisfy most.
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Friday’s regular-season finale against Missouri will be emotional for both sides. Arkansas says goodbye to a group of seniors, including the much-maligned Allen, and the Tigers will try desperately to win their sixth game and become bowl eligible for Coach Gary Pinkel, who recently announced his retirement effective at the end of this season.
Mizzou missed an opportunity in a 19-8 home loss to Tennessee last week.
Pinkel’s departure was sudden even though he announced he has battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma the entire season. It’s a blow to the program and his players. They should play with extra effort in Fayetteville to prolong the season.
The pressure is on Arkansas’ offense, which is a good thing. The Tigers’ defense has been dominant all year.
The squad is ranked No. 10 in total defense. Missouri is giving up 301.3 yards per game and 4.31 per play.
The Tigers only give up 15.1 points per game, which is good for No. 7 in the nation. They are 23 in rushing defense (125.9) and No. 28 in passing efficiency defense.
Missouri offers Arkansas its toughest defensive challenge other than Alabama, which is No. 2 in total defense.
Still, Mizzou hasn’t been tested. Mississippi State (34) and Arkansas State (49) are the only teams they’ve played with a top 50 ranking in total offense.
The Bulldogs took care of the Tigers easily, 31-13. Missouri beat Arkansas State by seven.
Arkansas is ranked No. 28 in total offense and No. 29 in passing offense. If the Hogs receivers can stay healthy (It seems like one of them hobbles off after every play), Allen should find some holes in the Tigers defense.
A unit doesn’t turn in numbers that stingy by accident, but the schedule is soft. Dak Prescott torched Missouri for 303 passing yards and four touchdowns. The way Allen is playing and with it being his final home game as a Hog, he could have a similar performance.
The Arkansas defense is still having nightmares of Prescott. He passed for 508 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 46 yards and two TDs.
The good news is Missouri quarterback, Drew Lock, isn’t close to that caliber. Lock, a freshman, moved into the starting spot when Pinkel suspended veteran Maty Mauk.
Mauk was then later suspended for the remainder of the season. Lock has completed 120 of 236 passes with four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Arkansas has done OK against teams without dynamic quarterbacks.
A solid run defense also plays into the Hogs favor, as Missouri doesn’t have any running back rushing for more than 500 yards. Ish Walter and Russell Hansbrough have combined for just over 900 combined yards on the ground. This is an average offense at best and one Arkansas can handle. If they don’t, there is a real problem.
Arkansas can’t take Missouri for granted with the motivation of Pinkel’s departure, and they can’t underestimate Lock. However, the Tigers aren’t a great football team and haven’t played near the schedule the Hogs have.
This has the potential to be a feel-good win for Arkansas with a bowl bid in hand.
A win Friday would give Arkansas its seventh win of the regular season. That ‘s not what some fans may have hoped, but considering the injuries and schedule it is progress.
Nate Olson is a contributor for WholeHogSports