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Three Keys To Success For Arkansas Versus Texas A&M

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Wes Pruett | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 10:00 AM ET

The Arkansas Razorbacks return home as they welcome Texas A&M in week eight of the season. Entering the A&M game, the Hogs are in the midst of a four-game losing skid as fans try to put lipstick on another one-score loss to Tennessee. Will this home game stop the skid, or will the losses continue to pile up? We at Last Word continue to provide keys to success for Arkansas. Here are the three keys to success versus Texas A&M.

Three Keys To Success For Arkansas Versus Texas A&M

Balanced Attack

The first key to success for Arkansas is a balanced attack. While many will see this and automatically think offense, we want to see this from the team as a whole. To pull a massive upset over the top-ten Aggies, Arkansas will need to play complementary football. The play calls on offense must benefit a struggling defense. The Aggies are one of six FBS teams nationally ranked in the top 25 in total offense and defense. Arkansas will need to maintain possession, which has been an issue dating back to last season, and score points consistently. Moreover, the Razorbacks must find ways to improve their defense. If not, these keys will become nearly impossible to accomplish, no matter the simplicity.

Control of Trenches

Along with a balanced attack is trench control. With this, the second key to success for Arkansas is controlling the trenches. For the Hogs, as we have detailed, getting pressure has been an issue up front. In this game, Arkansas will need to find ways to establish dominance. The Aggies’ rushing attack has shown a tendency not to allow defenders to tackle them in the backfield. In the win versus Florida, who averaged 4.8 TFL per game, the Aggies did not allow a negative yardage play on 68 snaps. While the challenge may seem one-sided, it is not. Arkansas must eliminate the pressure from the Aggies up front as they operate offensively. Hog signal caller Taylen Green must remain upright, which will not be easy. The Aggies average 3 sacks per game entering this week. With a balanced attack on the ground and air, the Razorbacks have the potential to make this game interesting.

Photo Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Conversion Consistency

The final key for this week is conversion consistency. While this may sound simple, for the opponents of Texas A&M within the conference, it has been nearly impossible. In fact, in the three opponents this season for Texas A&M, they are a combined 2-for-33 on third-down attempts. This equates to a .060 percentage. To have any chance of an upset, Arkansas will have to be successful on third downs. For reference, the Razorbacks are 46% in the stat category. On the season, the Aggies have allowed 16-of-77 attempts, or a .208 success rate. Arkansas will need to become creative, and at this point, what do they have to lose? If they can be effective, this key could become a successful one. If not, we are looking at another low grade. In closing, this game will be one to watch in week eight. The last time these two teams met in Fayetteville was in the 2013 season. For the bleeding to stop ,these three keys to success for Arkansas against Texas A&M must be met. With questions being asked about a multitude of topics, this game could provide some answers. In addition, the team will need to do something not done recently, and that is to play together for an entire game. If the Hogs can do this, a massive upset could be on the horizon. Main Photo: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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