FAYETTEVILLE — Coaching doesn't change. Late in the season, it's the same for everyone in the game. Make it simpler if you want to make it work better.
Playing fast is the goal. If you are having to think after 10 games, it's probably not a good thing.
That seems to be the plan for Arkansas as it tries to bounce back after a 38-10 loss to LSU. The Razorbacks travel to Mississippi State for a 6 p.m. Kickoff Saturday.
It didn't matter if it was head coach Bret Bielema, offensive coordinator Dan Enos or defensive coordinator Robb Smith, they sounded the same as they spoke to the media Monday afternoon. All talked about making things simpler to get a better result as the Hogs try to turn 6-4 into 8-4 and possibly 9-4 with a bowl victory.
All of that sounds good, but winning in Starkville is never easy for the Hogs. Plus, Bielema is 0-3 against the Bulldogs.
The Hogs lost an overtime decision in Little Rock three years ago. They pushed then No. 1-ranked State to the maximum in a 17-10 loss in Starkville two years ago. The Bulldogs won a shootout in the Ozarks last year, 51-50, with a blocked field goal in the final minute.
The Hogs have two major problems to solve if they are going to end their losing streak against the Bulldogs. It's a four-game streak counting the John L. Smith season. They must stop the run and get quarterback Austin Allen going. Playing simple may be the trick in both areas.
Arkansas allowed five rushing touchdowns against LSU to make it 29 on the season. That breaks the school record in that department for the second straight season. They allowed 25 last year to surpass the mark of 23 set in 1972.
“It's frustrating and from the outside world, it's easy to see the stats,” Bielema said of the run defense. “We do have some times that we make a play. There will be a no gain play or a minimum gain, then 8 or 9 yards the next play.”
Bielema said it could be the exact same defensive call against the same play.
“It's inconsistency,” he said. “So what we have to do is minimize the number of calls.”
Smith said there were still some issues with setting the edge on the perimeter, but not as many.
“We set the edge pretty well,” he said. “We had problems on the inside in this game.”
That followed a week in which the Hogs shut down the Florida offense, taking advantage of some personnel switches at end, tackle and linebacker. Smith didn't say if there were more changes in the works, but he didn't rule it out, either.
“We will continue to evaluate personnel,” he said. “And, we will simplify things.”
The simplification might be to get linebackers De'Jon Harris and Randy Ramsey on the field more in the last two weeks. Harris is a true freshman and Ramsey a redshirt sophomore.
Ramsey has played a lot in the last two weeks as the Hogs used their base 4-3 in more situations and not just at defensive end as was the case earlier this season. The Bulldogs run the ball, but more out of spread looks. That might present a challenge to play Ramsey.
“He's gotten better,” Smith said. “Getting reps (in practice and games) helps him. We are looking for a niche for him this week and to get him in some different situations.”
The other big key for the Hogs revolves around junior quarterback Austin Allen. He's not been as sharp the last two weeks after sustaining a knee sprain against Auburn. Bielema and Enos both think the knee is not a factor, but perhaps giving up 25 sacks over the course of 10 games has taken a mental toll.
“My challenge to our staff is to get very good with protection, limit the number (of variations in protection),” Bielema said. “I want to give the quarterback some confidence.”
Allen completed just 15 of 31 passes against the Tigers. He was at 67 percent earlier this season, but has slipped to 61 percent with a couple of off games. Enos has noticed some faults in footwork.
“We have to fix his drops,” said Enos, who also noticed some eye discipline issues.
Pressed as to whether or not Allen was looking at the rush instead of finding receivers early in the play, Enos said it could be part of the problem.
“It's a little bit of that,” Enos said. “He's antsy and sometimes he's making decisions too quickly. He's getting off receivers too quickly.”
Is it tough because Florida and LSU feature some of the nation's top cornerback tandems? Coverage was often outstanding in disruptive man-to-man.
“Yes and no,” Enos said. “We did win our share, but we play against some great corners.”
Enos said it's a matter of focusing on the little things in practice, then hoping instincts take over in the games.
“The big thing I know, you get back to the basics and the fundamentals,” Enos said. “You get back to the attention to detail.
“I don't think anything has to do with the injury. Through the week of practice, he planted and threw it well.”
The instincts in practice look like what everyone saw early in the season when Allen was shredding some of the better secondaries, including Alabama at times.
“He has to play faster, think less,” Enos said. “You play your best when you are playing instinctively, like you practice. I want him to play on his instincts.”
That means building the trust factor in the protections. There were three sacks against LSU, all different.
“It wasn't just the offensive line,” Enos said. “One of them was a tight end and one of them was a back.
“I think we have to make sure of our communication. We've got a first-time running back, a first time tackle a first time guard and sometimes a first-time fullback. That's a lot of youth. We have to make it as simple as we can with our adjustments. There can be no grey area so we can play fast.”
Enos said Allen was “very upset” on Sunday with his performance against LSU.
“We didn't play well and he's a prideful competitor,” Enos said. “He puts his heart and soul into it and when it doesn't go well, it hurts.”
Enos expects Allen to bounce back with terrific performances.
“I anticipate that he'll play well in our last two games and in a bowl,” said Enos, reminding that there has been lots of good play this year, too.
“He's played very well and I've been told all year by other coaches and NFL people, the TV announcers, what a high ceiling there is for him. He didn't play well. The ball is in your hands every week and there are going to be days you don't play well.”
Bielema pointed to the two interceptions, including one on a first-down play, especially troubling to the head coach.
“We talked about that,” Bielema said. “We can't press. We do that, it all falls apart. I told Austin on Sunday that I will not tolerate first down interceptions.”
The Hogs definitely pressed when they fell behind, taking chances outside the scheme on both sides of the ball.
“It was a real clunker,” Bielema said. “Our guys were disappointed, but I challenged some guys to step up as leaders. We can't have guys turn into crickets during the game.”
Smith said he was “encouraged” by the way some leaders emerged over the lasts two weeks. Some of those guys were “vocal” on Sunday night.
“We just have to be consistent in what we do,” Smith said. “And it starts with me.”