Harrison Stanfill

When I watch the first half of an Arkansas Razorback football game the same feeling comes over me when I walk into a test underprepared. I’m confused and sweating and everything is a blur and before I know it I’m already in a hole and trying to fight out of it.

I have a problem with procrastination and so does Arkansas. You know, waiting until the last minute to do something when it should have been taken care of way earlier.

Enter the Ole Miss game.

The Hogs waited around and played what you could call “offense” and “defense.” Then, just when I thought the “Right Reverend” might get the best of Arkansas again, the defense starts getting pressure and forcing three-and-outs.

The offense looks like the offense we all expect, receivers were getting open in space and breaking off huge chunks of yards. The break out performance by Dennis Johnson was a sight for sore eyes and completely changed the direction the game was going.

This brings us to the point of this entire column. What in the world is going on in the first half?

This is the frustrating part for all Razorback fans.

Since Missouri State, the Hogs haven’t put together a complete game. Sure the Auburn game was a blow out, but the Hogs didn’t take control of that game until they went down 14-7.

It isn’t all bad because Arkansas could be the exact opposite and be Texas A&M and nobody wants that.

I believe the Razorbacks’ inexperience, especially on offense, is what has caused this drag in the first half. The Hogs are working out a different running back every week and that’s putting more pressure in the hands of Tyler Wilson.

Once Arkansas can settle on a running back, my vote goes to Dennis Johnson, the offense should become more consistent with the ability of running for big chunks of yards added offensive repertoire.

With a more balanced offense, the Razorbacks should be able to keep opposing defenses from simply rushing the quarterback and sticking to receivers. It will allow more options for Tyler Wilson and keep him from taking so many hard hits.

Tyler Wilson had another Shane Falco-esque performance on Saturday. Even though he didn’t throw for any touchdowns he did rush for two scores and made some big throws when the team needed them.  Solid quarterback play is what has kept Arkansas in these games and given them the ability to come back in the second half.

The defense has mirrored the offense and has looked completely different from the first to second halves.  The past three weeks they have allowed 66 points in the first half, but just 10 in the second.

There is a serious pattern that is developing that, if it is not fixed, will result in some serious problems against South Carolina or LSU.

You can get away with slow starts against teams like Auburn, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, but as you saw against Alabama if you get off to a slow start against quality teams it becomes very hard to come back and win.

This is the territory that Arkansas finds themselves in. Next week, against Vanderbilt, they have the opportunity to get out to a fast start and establish an offense that can keep the defense off guard.

It is an early morning game, a pre-noon kickoff that has presented a problem for the Hogs this season, but look for Arkansas to come out and establish the run and get into a tempo with the passing game.

These next four games are huge for the Razorbacks.

All of them are easily winnable, but don’t look for just the win. Look for how they play, because it all leads up to the biggest game of the year, the Battle for the Golden Boot down in Baton Rouge.

Don’t get caught looking ahead though, because no matter how good the Hogs are in the second half something’s should be taken care of earlier.

Harrison Stanfill is a guest columnist for The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Monday.