Fraternizing with the enemy: Talking Mississippi State vs Arkansas with Austin Farmer

Q: Turnovers have been a problem for Arkansas this season, playing a big role in the losses they've suffered. Has that issue been more a case of carelessness or just bad luck?

A: Turnovers have largely been because of carelessness.  Running backs are holding the ball like a loaf of bread. You'll see passes where you have no idea where Green is throwing. All of that stuff has happened this season. In all three of Arkansas‘s losses, a freak turnover swung the momentum in favor of the other team.

Against Oklahoma State, it was a pick-six after Green was hit while throwing. Texas A&M made an outstanding play deep in Arkansas territory. On a read option play, the defensive end attacked the mesh point, caused a fumble, and it was recovered within the 10-yard line. Similarly, LSU intercepted the Hogs at the 10-yard line in the third quarter of last week's game. The Razorbacks were down six with a chance to take the lead, but Whit Weeks made an athletic play, tipping Green's pass and catching it within the 5-yard line. I’m not saying Arkansas would’ve won without any of those turnovers, but they were the turning point in each one of their losses.

Q: Obviously Green is a dynamic player on offense, and D-linemen Landon Jackson and Eric Gregory can terrorize opposing QBs. Let's hear one player on both offense and defense that may be a bit under the radar that you believe will be key for Arkansas getting a win on Saturday. I know stud RB Ja'Quinden Jackson will be out, which changes things quite a bit.

With Jackson out, I’ll give you two offensive players. The first is freshman running back Braylen Russell. At 253 pounds, he’s a bulldozer of a back. He’s only 18 but looks like a man among boys on the field. And just because he can run you over doesn’t mean he doesn’t have speed. The other guy on offense is Andrew Armstrong. He’s the third lead receiver in the SEC with 646 yards behind Ryann Williams at Alabama and Ole Miss' Tre Harris. He’s recorded over 130-plus yards in a game three times this season and is by far Green‘s favorite target.

On defense, TJ Metcalf, cousin of the Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf. As a sophomore, he’s made a significant impact in the secondary, almost single-handedly beating Auburn. Of Arkansas's five turnovers in that game, Metcalf either caused or created four. Another guy I want to talk about is Xavian Sorey. He’s a former five-star transfer from Georgia. He leads the Hogs in tackles and is tied for second in TFLs.