5 things to know about Penn State Outback Bowl opponent Arkansas

Penn State and Arkansas will meet for the first time to end the 2021 season.

The Nittany Lions and Razorbacks both have a rich college football tradition. But, they’ve never played each other before. That will change when James Franklin and Sam Pittman lead their respective teams into the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa.

“I haven’t haven’t had a chance obviously to study them yet, but I got a ton of respect for Sam,” Franklin said Sunday night. “I’ve known him for a long time, and obviously guys on the staff and the university as well. I’ve been able to catch a few games or scores on TV. But, haven’t really been able to dive into them.

“I know he’s done a really good job of embracing what Arkansas is and what Arkansas stands for. It seems like the community and University have done the same thing with him.”

Here are five things Penn State fans should know about Arkansas ahead of the matchup. It is scheduled for Noon on Jan. 1. ESPN2 will televise the matchup.

1. Reviewing Arkansas season to date

Pittman is in his second season at the helm of the Razorbacks’ program. The SEC team is No. 21 in the College Football Playoff rankings. That mark comes on the heels of an 8-4 regular season.

Arkansas has a ranked win over Texas A&M. It also beat Texas and LSU, which isn’t as impressive this year compared to others. The Razorbacks did keep it close against Alabama but were crushed by Georgia. They have one common opponent, Auburn, who Penn State beat in September. Arkansas lost to it in October.

2. Scouting Arkansas when Penn State is on defense

Quarterback KJ Jefferson directs the Arkansas attack, which is led by offensive coordinator Kendell Briles. His offense has been referred to as a veer and shoot with plenty of tempo.

Jefferson can run and the Razorbacks ran more than they threw in 2021. In fact, Arkansas had the No. 11 passing offense in the SEC but the No. 2 ground game with an average of 217.33 yards per contest. Trelon Smith and Raheim Sanders both get lots of work in the backfield. They combined for over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns. Then, there is Dominique Johnson, who has seven scores despite not breaking the 100-carry mark as his two position mates have.

Out wide, Treylon Burks will be the man to watch. He could be the first receiver taken in this year’s NFL Draft in the mind of some. Either way, he’ll go early. Penn State will need to know where he is at all times. So far, Burks has 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Above all, Penn State will need to be better against the run then it was in the regular season finale at Michigan State. Stopping it is key to beating the Razorbacks.

3. Get to know the Arkansas defense

Arkansas has a top-60 defense that can be scored on at times.

The Razorbacks gave up at least 30 points in four games this year. All of them resulted in a loss.

Arkansas has a balanced defense that doesn’t quite stand out in one area or another. They were in the bottom half of the SEC in yards allowed per game (371.3) but No. 5 in the pass defense department (215.1). We’d say that Penn State would be best served attacking defensive coordinator Barry Odom’s unit on the ground. But, unless the Lions find a running game during bowl prep, that likely isn’t going to happen.

The Lions will want to avoid throwing the ball in Montaric Ball’s direction. A veteran corner, he has five interceptions so far this season. He also has five pass breakups and 10 passes defended. Linebacker Bumper Pool leads the Razorbacks with 120 stops. End Tre Williams leads the way up front with six sacks, while linebacker Hayden Henry has a team-high 10.5 tackes for loss.

4. Odds and ends

–Could Penn State pop something in the return game? Arkansas punter Reid Bauer averages just 43.2 yards per punt. Don’t expect anything in the kickoff game, however. Vito Calvaruso booms plenty of touchbacks.

–Cam Little is 19 of 23 on field goal tries this season. He has a long of 51 yards.

–Arkansas tight ends coach Dowell Loggains spent some time at Penn State as an off-field analyst before joining Pittman’s staff prior to the start of the 2021 season.

5. Early Penn State-Arkansas thoughts

This is an interesting matchup for both sides. Each team has a star receiver. Penn State passes better and Arkansas is easily the superior team on the ground. The Lions have an edge on defense, at least on paper, while special teams are mostly a wash that may favor the Razorbacks slightly.

Ultimately, Penn State is an early favorite, but Arkansas will not be a cakewalk opponent by any means. The Lions will have their work cut out for them to end the 2021 season with a win.

“I’ve met Coach Franklin, but I don’t know him much better than that, just a lot of really positive things that people who have worked with him have said about him,” Pittman said Sunday.

“Highly successful guy, highly intelligent guy, great football mind. Certainly, Penn State’s one of the storied programs in the country. [Arkansas tight ends] Coach Dowell Loggains worked up there last year before the summer as an analyst before we were able to hire him back, he’d probably know a little bit more.”