So what were your takeaways from Vanderbilt?

Well, I mean, I had a ton of them, one being that in the second half, they looked like the team that was more determined, more confident that they were going to win that football game.

And that's kind of something that had been lacking in close games in the last couple of years.

And so it was good to see them win one.

And then the way they converted after the Miguel Mitchell gift, you know, shovel pass, off the scoop, you know, INT, the way they converted that.

I mean, think about their play calling.

It was conservative the week before.

Could this actually be a good defense?

So what were your takeaways from Vanderbilt?

Well, I mean, I had a ton of them.

One being that in the second half, they looked like the team that was more determined, more confident that they were going to win that football game.

And That's kind of something that had been lacking in close games in the last couple of years.

And so it was good to see them win one.

And then the way they converted after the Miguel Mitchell gift, you know, shovel pass off the scoop, you know, INT, the way they converted that.

I mean, think about their play calling.

Could this actually be a good defense?

Mm.

Or there haven't been enough, uh, uh, quality blocking on the perimeter to get them the, the, the one break they need to get into the secondary and then make somebody miss.

There just seems to always have, have been somebody there.

I feel bad for Sutton Smith because I do think he's a quality back.

There just haven't been a lot of running lanes.

Um, and then there, there was a game, the A&M game, he, he was in the, uh, second level and there was a safety coming up, and it's like, wow, he makes that safety miss.

This is gonna be a long, long play.

'Cause I get the sense they wanna, they don't wanna play field position, but I think they feel like they have to, and you can't do that against Vanderbilt.

So where do you come down on that, and do you expect that to change at all from talking to the coaches this

week? I don't know if it will change, but where I come down on it is I do believe that you've got to – You've got to try to ride somebody.

If they're doing well, if it's Sutton Smith, if it's Cam Settle, if it's Braylon, ride them a little bit.

And I don't mean to just completely negate Jasper Parker, who just seems to get one or two carries a game.

He's obviously doing the things the coaches like and earning it, so to speak, through practice.

But I just think a four-guy rotation is a little bit too much.

And to hear the coaches explain it, Settle's – Sutton Smith are the two who are the best at everything, like pass pro, you know, understanding where they're supposed to be when the protections get thrown up, where they've got to go.

I think that's what tomorrow's all about.

Do you think they can put some semblance together of an offensive attack tomorrow against Tennessee?

Well, I'm not sure.

I mean, they're gonna have a plan.

Um, and you know, a lot of people are so hypercritical of everything that happens, but I will say this for the coaching staff, they've had opening scripts.

I mean, the North Alabama game, I don't remember.

I don't think that was a good drive, but since then they've had nice opening scripts.

I mean, last week they got a first down on the second snap before KJ overthrew, uh, Antonio Jordan on that dig route.

... and Arkansas' got to have KJ drop back and pass, well, that plays right into Tennessee's hands with the pass rush.

Do you think they can put some semblance together of an offensive attack tomorrow against Tennessee?

Well, I'm not sure.

I mean, they're going to have a plan.

And, you know, a lot of people are so hypercritical of everything that happens.

But I will say this for the coaching staff.

They've had opening scripts.

I mean, the North Alabama game, I don't remember.

And if they get a lead, Tom, and Arkansas's got to have KJ drop back and pass, well, that plays right into Tennessee's hands with the pass rush.

So storylines as you enter the weekend, Tom, I, I guess we're having a hard time getting past the quarterback play, which is usually the case, but again, I think, uh, KJ with a big step forward maybe last couple weeks, and then, you know, we're trying to figure out what's going on with Reed down at A&M.

Exactly, and I don't see why this isn't the biggest storyline.

It's l- because the quarterback play is gonna be so intrinsic in how both the teams operate.

And I, I didn't draw the conclusion a story I wrote yesterday, but hinted at it strongly.

I think he's missing Colin Klein and the relationship he had with him and how they adjusted to defenses and how they read things and called things because, um, got a lot of the same talent, uh, a lot of the same receivers and, and you know, including a returning running back in Ruben Owens, and it just hasn't gone smoothly.

Um, I knew his numbers weren't very good, but when I dove into it, I mean, 55% completions is easily the lowest among all the SEC starters.

His efficiency, um, rating is also easily the lowest, and he's, I think he's six to four on touchdown to interception right now.

But if they win this game, does the entire narrative of the season change?

But again, I think, uh, KJ with a big step forward maybe last couple weeks, and then, you know, we're trying to figure out what's going on with Reed down at A&M.

Exactly.

And I don't see why this isn't the biggest storyline.

It's l- because the quarterback play is gonna be so intrinsic in how both the teams operate.

And I, I didn't draw the conclusion a story I wrote yesterday, but hinted at it strongly.

I think he's missing Colin Klein and the relationship he had with him and how they adjusted to defenses and how they read things and called things because, um, got a lot of the same talent, uh, a lot of the same receivers and, and, you know, including a returning running back in Ruben Owens, and it just hasn't gone smoothly.

Um, I knew his numbers weren't very good, but when I dove into it, I mean 55% completions is easily the lowest among all the SEC starters.

But if they win this game, does the entire narrative of the season change?

This has been a very interesting week for Razorback football, hasn't it, Tom?

Yeah, it has been.

I mean, it started with last Friday's resolution by the board and what all does that mean.

We haven't heard a lot since then.

I mean, Hunter Juracek did the interview with Brett McMurphy at On3 where he kind of went at length to explain, well, we're doing a lot of stuff behind the scenes, et cetera.

And the speculation of that piece was Arkansas is already in this big rebuild and Do they need to replace their AD as part of that? So, you know, you're seeing some stuff come out.

But I do believe the fans are interested in the fact that Tulsa's 3-0.

And from everything you hear or read about, Mika may be – I know, you know, JSJ and JJ are top-flight freshmen, but Mika still may be the best of all of them.

What of the football fundamentals have you seen that you think Arkansas has improved upon from last week?

Well, I think offensively, the fundamentals being can you block, can you hold your blocks, and can you execute the play? And we obviously don't know what the blocking schemes are play to play, but they lost too many one-on-one matchups against the Georgia defensive front, which went over on the sideline and practiced in between series a little bit just to give those guys some, you know, some extra work, which was crazy, but that's what they did.

And, yeah, the drops.

Now, the Arkansas coaches, I think the final count, they came up with eight.

But I think if a defensive back arrives at the same moment as the ball, and crushes a guy, I prefer to refer to that more as a pass breakup than a drop.

But the Donovan Faupel catch, for instance, it touched his hands.

I think it was a third and long and a third and 14 maybe.

We don't know if Shaw's going to play, but I did like Smith.

That's the problem is it's not only not getting the results you want, but also it's not particularly entertaining, at least on the offensive side.

No, and you're right about last year.

I mean, they were one of the – I think they ranked 10th in – NCAA rushing last year with Taylor and they kept it close in a lot of the games.

It's just that when the fourth quarter rolled around, there was always a feel, well, we know what's going to happen now.

And that is exactly what happened.

And with this team, I think it's just the idea that you can hang your hat on something would be helpful.

And I think KJ Jackson's got it in him.

But the Ole Miss and LSU game, what's your thoughts on the matchup there? And maybe a little bit of the games that Kiffin's playing with his quarterback status.

That's the problem is it's not only not getting the results you want, but also it's not particularly entertaining, at least on the offensive side.

No, and you're right about last year.

I mean, they were one of, I think they ranked 10th in NCAA rushing last year with Talon and they kept it close in a lot of the games.

It's just that when the fourth quarter rolled around, there was always a feel, well, we know what's going to happen now, and that is exactly what happened.

And with this team, I think it's just the idea that you can hang your hat on something would be helpful.

And I think KJ Jackson's got it in him.

They've just got to find a way to get him more comfortable and somehow or the other develop a way to move the ball.

But the Ole Miss and LSU game, what's your thoughts on the matchup there? And maybe a little bit of the games that Kiffin's playing with his quarterback status.

Um, the way that the re- rest of that game went, the final forty-five actually went the other night, and now with Georgia coming in for the early kick, um, tell me, this is already, like, danger time for this team for 2026, isn't it?

Truly it is.

And they, you know, I don't think anybody predicted that they would w- go in at Utah and w- would not win the opener against Georgia.

Uh, y- just th- they're on the polar opposites of this conference right now.

Georgia picked to win it, Arkansas picked to finish last.

And so the Ryan Silver-- W-what he has got to be careful of, of is letting the negativity in-in-invade the program, because this was a team that went two and ten last year.

A lot of those games were close, but you look at what's facing them now, they've got Georgia and then Tulsa, okay? Tulsa's the team that beat Oklahoma State, and then Oklahoma State turns around and beats Oregon, who started the season top five.

Anything about the depth chart, either injury-wise or maybe performance-wise that you suspect?