FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas is scheduled to play its annual Red-White Game on Saturday at Razorback Stadium.
The game is scrimmage is scheduled to begin at noon and will be televised by the SEC Network. Admission is free.
As usual, the scrimmage will serve as the final of 15 spring practices for the Razorbacks. Arkansas is breaking in several new starters this spring, especially on offense after the departure of the team's starting quarterback, top two running backs, Mackey Award-winning tight end and three linemen.
Here are five things to watch Saturday:
Pass Game: Chances are we'll see a lot of passes in the scrimmage. Arkansas is breaking in a new starting quarterback, Austin Allen, but it is also thin at the running back position. Kody Walker broke his foot earlier this spring and Rawleigh Williams has worn a no-contact jersey all spring. The Razorbacks are down to four players at running back, who have combined for 20 career carries. Allen has looked sharp throwing the ball this spring and completed 14 of 17 passes in the last full scrimmage two weeks ago. He has shown good arm strength and accuracy while scrimmaging against the first-team defense. With a "ones vs. the world" format, Allen has the chance to put up big numbers against the Razorbacks' second-team defense.
New Offensive Line: With the loss of three starters from last season, the offensive line is a work in progress this spring. Several players along the line have gone through position changes, including Frank Ragnow from guard to center, Brian Wallace from tackle to guard and Hjalte Froholdt from defensive tackle to guard. Add in three-year starter Dan Skipper at right tackle and redshirt freshman Colton Jackson at left tackle, and you have the first-team line this spring. Froholdt and Jackson have looked overwhelmed at times in pass protection, but coaches have complimented their run blocking and overall improvement in recent days. Wallace, a top recruit in high school who didn't play much in his redshirt freshman season last year, was spotted in a walking boot Thursday and it's unclear whether he will scrimmage Saturday.
McTelvin Agim: The early enrollee has been as advertised this spring at his defensive end position. Agim has looked good working against the Razorbacks' first-team offensive line, particularly in bull and stunt pass rush situations. During one scrimmage, Agim got into an altercation with Hjalte Froholdt and threw a punch at Dan Skipper. Agim is less than six months removed from his final high school game at Hope. ESPN rated him as the 11th-best prospect nationally in the 2016 signing class.
Kicking Game: Cole Hedlund has a leg up to be the Razorbacks' field goal kicker again in 2016. Hedlund has been almost perfect this spring and is believed to have only missed one kick during practices - a 53-yarder. During an open portion of practice earlier this week, Hedlund made a 55-yard kick. The redshirt sophomore has changed the distance that he stands behind the line of scrimmage from seven yards to eight yards this preseason. Arkansas has also worked hard on its field goal protection schemes after four field goals were blocked last season. Past spring games have featured field goal competitions between quarters, so fans should have an opportunity to see Hedlund kick several times.
Something Special: From allowing special needs fan Canaan Sandy to run a touchdown two years ago, to attempting to recreate Sebastian Tretola's touchdown pass with a mascot and a sideline reporter last year, Bret Bielema seems to always have something out of the ordinary planned for these spring games. Bielema indicated last week that fans will be treated to "nostalgic" plays.