Maybe this is a minor point that won’t get much attention, at least until it occurs, but here’s something to think about regarding the Arkansas game.
Remember this series from the South Carolina game?
1st and 10 at SCAR 22 Brian Maddox rush for a loss of 2 yards to the SCaro 20. 17 24 2nd and 12 at SCAR 20 Stephen Garcia pass complete to Moe Brown for 4 yards to the SCaro 24. 3rd and 8 at SCAR 24 Stephen Garcia pass incomplete to Brian Maddox. 4th and 8 at SCAR 24 Spencer Lanning rush for 12 yards to the SCaro 36 out-of-bounds for a 1ST down.
Take a look at this intriguing article about decision making on fourth down (h/t Smart Football), which argues in part that “Every single serious study of 4th-down decisions has found that, in most situations, teams would be better off by going for the conversion attempt rather than kicking.”
And then read this set of facts.
Bobby Petrino hasn’t been given that nickname in his second year at Arkansas, but how’s this for gambling?
Arkansas led the country with eight touchdowns on fourth-down plays last season, according to cfbstats.com.
The Razorbacks scored eight of their 22 touchdowns in SEC play last season on fourth down.
Arkansas converted a fourth-down play on 12 of its 32 touchdown drives last year.
Only 12 Football Bowl Subdivision teams converted more fourth-down plays than Arkansas’ 14.
Something to keep an eye out for, is all I’m saying…