Arkansas has a problem, and Ryan Silverfield knows it.
After the Razorbacks were hammered 43-10 by Utah late Saturday night, the new head coach didn’t sugarcoat where things stood. He said his team “got their teeth kicked in.” Now the next task is even more daunting: getting ready for the No. 2-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
Silverfield made it clear this week that he understands what’s coming from Kirby Smart’s group.
“Credit to them," Silverfield told reporters this week. "We know the success they’ve had and what Smart has done in all phases, not just on defense.
The challenges are there. We’re not going to reinvent the playbook, but we have to find ways to be creative.”
That’s a tough assignment against a Georgia defense that has looked every bit the part through the first two games. The Bulldogs’ starters have been playing at an elite level, and they’re bringing speed, size and depth to Fayetteville this weekend. For an Arkansas offense that couldn’t get much going against Utah, the matchup figures to be a miserable one.
Silverfield didn’t stop there when talking about the Bulldogs.
“They look like the No. 2 team in the country, If not best," Silverfield added. "They don’t have any flaws.
If they do, it’s our job to find them. We know it’s a great challenge.
Almost their entire defense except their nickel was part of their roster last year and played significant snaps. They have All-Americans all over the place.”
That assessment matches what Georgia has put on tape. Outside of starting safety Khalil Barnes, every starter on the Bulldog defense was on last year’s roster. It’s a veteran unit built around third- and fourth-year defenders at all three levels, and it has handled the run well while holding up in coverage to start the season.
Arkansas, meanwhile, is still searching for answers after the Utah loss. The Razorbacks finished with just over 300 yards of total offense and managed only 61 rushing yards on 28 carries, good for 2.2 yards per rush. Silverfield said the offensive line has to get better fast if the Hogs want any shot at handling Georgia’s front.
“Nobody up front is playing to the standard that they need too. After week one, it was very evident that our tackles were giving away run and pass.”
The concerns don’t stop on offense. Arkansas gave up more than 440 yards to Utah, with over 300 of those coming through the air.
The Hogs are still a team trying to find itself, but the issues are showing up in all three phases. Against Georgia, that kind of night could turn ugly in a hurry.
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