Written by James Leyva
Arlington, TX- The Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arkansas Razorbacks are set to battle in the annual Southwest Classic in which both teams are looking to get off a good start in SEC conference play. This marks the 74th meeting between both schools and the 7th game to be played in Arlington, TX at ATT stadium. The Aggies and Razorbacks come into this game with so much on the line for both programs.
Texas A&M started off the season with a stunning loss to UCLA in Pasadena, CA, losing 45-44 in the second largest FBS comeback in college football history as the Bruins overcame a 34 point deficit. Since then the Aggies have bounced back with two consecutive victories both over Nicholls State and Louisiana Lafayette. Despite the two victories, it was not a tip-top performance in both games. Nicholls St. tied the game 14-14 with 12:05 left to go in the 4th quarter and only lost by 10 points in the end 24-14. The week after down 21-14 against ULL at halftime, the Aggies rallied with 31 unanswered points to win 45-21. The Aggies will have to be consistent on offense and not turn the ball over which has consistently given their opponent’s a chance to stay in game’s all season. Freshman quarterback Kellen Mond has only two starts since taking over for injured Nick Starkhel and is hoping to show the nation that he is the future quarterback for the Aggies in his first SEC game. Three starters will be coming back for the Aggies, running back Trayveon Williams, offensive lineman Connor Lanfear and linebacker Otaro Alaka.
Arkansas Razorbacks began this season with a convincing victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers 49-7 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Razorbacks had a rematch a week later against old Southwest Conference rival Texas Christian University Horn Frogs in which they won in double overtime 41-38 last year. Tenth-ranked TCU got their revenge this time as they defeated Arkansas 28-7, giving the Horn Frogs their first victory in Fayetteville since 1984. Special teams and the passing game have been a struggle for the Razorbacks along with losing three of their last four games since last season. Quarterback Blake Allen has a 54.8% completion rate including throwing only 31 yards in the second half against TCU, the lowest total of his career. Arkansas junior kicker Cole Hedlund missed two field goals and is now 14 of 24 for his career The Razorbacks come into this one ranked 116th in passing yards.
Both teams are coming off disappointing non-conference seasons last year. However, with this being the first SEC game of the year for both teams, it’s a chance at redemption and a fresh start off on the right track in the SEC West division. Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema is overall 10-22 in the SEC conference and is 0-4 against the Aggies. Texas A&M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin's record in the SEC is 46-22 record and boasts a 5-0 mark against the Razorbacks. Both coaches have been on the hot seat since the start of the season, not only is this game about winning and bragging rights, it's also about them fighting to keep their job.
Since 2009 the Arkansas vs. Texas A&M rivalry game was renewed, the Razorbacks won the first three games, but the Aggies have claimed the last five since joining the SEC. The Razorbacks have come close stopping the Aggies winning streak, but have lost in overtime twice, both in 2014 and 2015. Arkansas leads the overall series 41-29-3, an old Southwest Conference Rivalry that dates back to 1903. Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arkansas Razorbacks, in the Southwest Classic, will kickoff at 11 a.m. central time on ESPN. The Aggies look to continue winning streak to 6-0, while the Razorbacks are looking finally end it and claim the Southwest Classic for the first time since 2011.
Texas A&M started off the season with a stunning loss to UCLA in Pasadena, CA, losing 45-44 in the second largest FBS comeback in college football history as the Bruins overcame a 34 point deficit. Since then the Aggies have bounced back with two consecutive victories both over Nicholls State and Louisiana Lafayette. Despite the two victories, it was not a tip-top performance in both games. Nicholls St. tied the game 14-14 with 12:05 left to go in the 4th quarter and only lost by 10 points in the end 24-14. The week after down 21-14 against ULL at halftime, the Aggies rallied with 31 unanswered points to win 45-21. The Aggies will have to be consistent on offense and not turn the ball over which has consistently given their opponent’s a chance to stay in game’s all season. Freshman quarterback Kellen Mond has only two starts since taking over for injured Nick Starkhel and is hoping to show the nation that he is the future quarterback for the Aggies in his first SEC game. Three starters will be coming back for the Aggies, running back Trayveon Williams, offensive lineman Connor Lanfear and linebacker Otaro Alaka.
Arkansas Razorbacks began this season with a convincing victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers 49-7 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Razorbacks had a rematch a week later against old Southwest Conference rival Texas Christian University Horn Frogs in which they won in double overtime 41-38 last year. Tenth-ranked TCU got their revenge this time as they defeated Arkansas 28-7, giving the Horn Frogs their first victory in Fayetteville since 1984. Special teams and the passing game have been a struggle for the Razorbacks along with losing three of their last four games since last season. Quarterback Blake Allen has a 54.8% completion rate including throwing only 31 yards in the second half against TCU, the lowest total of his career. Arkansas junior kicker Cole Hedlund missed two field goals and is now 14 of 24 for his career The Razorbacks come into this one ranked 116th in passing yards.
Both teams are coming off disappointing non-conference seasons last year. However, with this being the first SEC game of the year for both teams, it’s a chance at redemption and a fresh start off on the right track in the SEC West division. Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema is overall 10-22 in the SEC conference and is 0-4 against the Aggies. Texas A&M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin's record in the SEC is 46-22 record and boasts a 5-0 mark against the Razorbacks. Both coaches have been on the hot seat since the start of the season, not only is this game about winning and bragging rights, it's also about them fighting to keep their job.
Since 2009 the Arkansas vs. Texas A&M rivalry game was renewed, the Razorbacks won the first three games, but the Aggies have claimed the last five since joining the SEC. The Razorbacks have come close stopping the Aggies winning streak, but have lost in overtime twice, both in 2014 and 2015. Arkansas leads the overall series 41-29-3, an old Southwest Conference Rivalry that dates back to 1903. Texas A&M Aggies vs. Arkansas Razorbacks, in the Southwest Classic, will kickoff at 11 a.m. central time on ESPN. The Aggies look to continue winning streak to 6-0, while the Razorbacks are looking finally end it and claim the Southwest Classic for the first time since 2011.