The Razorbacks are still not out of the woods when it comes to playing UAPB according to analytics

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While most believe the Razorbacks will pull out a win against the UAPB Golden Lions on Thursday night at War Memorial Stadium, there’s always the possibility of a slip-up.

ESPN’s Football Power Index doesn’t give Arkansas its 100% confidence yet, as upsets in college football can happen from time to time. The Golden Lions are definitely not a 2007 version of Appalachian State and the Razorbacks certainly don’t have the same kind of expectations that Michigan’s team had that season, either.

During a recent interview with THV11 in Little Rock, coach Alonzo Hampton tells anyone who will listen that there is a sense of motivation in Pine Bluff regarding this team. He also said that his team sees Arkansas as an opportunity to defeat a giant and his quarterback Mekhi Hagens believes in what his coach is selling him.

“We’re just going to be ourselves, we’re going to be UAPB, we’re going to go out and compete,” Hagens said. “We’re not going to give up just because they’re SEC and we’re SWAC. We bleed just like they do.”

“Everyone thinks they can play in the SEC, right? So we’ll have a chance to go out there and put our guys on that stage and see who can perform at their best. And we’ve got another 15 days to get this thing together and then we’ll see what the chips are down.”

However, UAPB will have to show improvement quickly if it plans to beat Arkansas. Defensively, the Golden Lions finished near the bottom of the SWAC in sacks, turnovers forced, points per game, pass defense, run defense and every statistical category imaginable.

Thursday’s game is the perfect opportunity for Bobby Petrino as Arkansas’ new offensive coordinator. It will give him a chance to take advantage of a defense that struggled all of last season while adjusting to the school he once coached.

“God, I wish I could think about it, but Coach has been putting pressure on us,” he said last Tuesday. “I haven’t had time to think about a lot of things. We get there early in the morning and get home late at night. But it will be fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

PIGS FEED:

• Planning a wedding during Razorback season can be a big mistake

• Is tradition enough for the Hogs to overlook what they lose in LR?

• The Razorbacks can’t accomplish much in Little Rock except a big win.

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