Behind Enemy Lines: Turnaround at hand, Arkansas set for Outback Bowl
Penn State football is set for its final game of the 2021 campaign Saturday when it meets No. 23 Arkansas in the Outback Bowl.
The Nittany Lions, 7-5 on the year, come into the SEC showdown against a Razorbacks team that incurred its own type of back-and-forth season. First winning four games, including a pair of ranked matchups against No. 15 Texas and No. 7 Texas A&M, Arkansas went on to drop three straight at No. 2 Georgia, No. 17 Ole Miss, and against Auburn to kick off October.
Responding with four of five wins to close the season, topping No. 17 Mississippi State, LSU, and Missouri in that span with only a 7-point loss at No. 2 Alabama in between, Sam Pittman’s team is in Tampa feeling eager to take advantage of the opportunity in the wake of its 8-4 regular season.
“We’re very excited to be here. We’ve had a good week,” Pittman said. “We’re excited to play Penn State. Very honored to be a part of the Outback Bowl.”
What will that look like on Saturday?
Blue White Illustrated checked in with Taylor Alderson, sports reporter for The Arkansas Traveler, to get a better idea of what the Nittany Lions will be facing in the Outback Bowl (noon, ESPN2).
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1) How would you describe the culture of Arkansas football now under Sam Pittman?
TA: Coach Pittman came in with kind of a workman-like attitude, and it has really rubbed off on the players. Pittman has that “aw shucks” attitude and is extremely humble and hard working. His players have really taken to that mindset.
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2) Maybe in that vein, but specifically from an on-field standpoint, what does this Arkansas team hang its hat on?
TA: Arkansas undoubtedly hangs its hat on its running game. The Razorbacks are extremely physical up front and try to lean on defenses as the game goes along.
3) If you were an opponent, what are some of the things you’d try to exploit?
TA: Arkansas will be without one of its best pass rushers in defensive end Tre Williams, so it will interesting to see how Penn State exploits that. Defensively, Penn State should look to force quarterback KJ Jefferson to throw the football. That’s not to say Jefferson isn’t more than capable as a passer, but being without Treylon Burks – one of the best wide receivers in the country – will definitely have an impact.
4) What’s the general vibe surrounding this game from the Arkansas perspective of either the program, fans, or even media perception?
TA: I’d say the general vibe is one of excitement. Penn State is a blue-blood in college football, and for Arkansas to be playing in a New Year’s Day bowl game against such a historically respected program – considering where the program was two seasons ago – says a lot about the job Pittman has done since taking over as head Hog.
Bonus) What’s your pick?
TA: The missing pieces on Penn State’s defense will start to have an impact as the game progresses and Arkansas is able to do just enough to pull it out.
