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The Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2, 0-1 SEC) will hit the road this week and get back into SEC play with a matchup with Texas A&M (2-2, 0-2 SEC) on Saturday. The Aggies have won four straight over the Hogs and 13 of the last 14 games since entering the conference in 2012 but are coming off two straight losses to start conference play. Mike Elko's bunch has struggled to be consistent on both sides of the ball against Kentucky and LSU even with third-year starting quarterback Marcel Reed leading the offense.  A&M did not have any issues against Missouri State (50-0) and Arizona State (48-20) to start the season but back to back losses by margins of 10 and 29 points will have the Aggies outside the top 25 when the Hogs visit. Turnovers and struggles along the offensive line have been the most glaring issues over the last couple of weeks.  REED STILL STRUGGLING Marcel Reed was expected to take a step in his progression after passing for 3169 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. Reed also had 493 yards and six touchdowns to ead the Aggies but also had 12 interceptions. The Aggies lost offensive coordinator Colin Klein in the offseason and elevated Holmon Wiggins to replace him. Wiggins was the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach before the promotion. Rueben Owens and Mario Craver also returned as primary playmakers for Reed, so what is the issue? .@Jordan_castell is a 🏈🦅 pic.twitter.com/Ggp6TAmGXQ — Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 20, 2026 TAMU allowed 19 sacks through 13 games last season but have already allowed eight this season. That is a 24-26 sack pave for the season. The Aggies are also only rushing for 151 yards per game compared to 184.7 last season. Owens is only rushing for 62 yards per game and has one touchdown. KJ Edwards has 115 yards on 17 carries while Reed has 104 yards on 34 carries. As a team, A&M is avearaging 4.0 yards per carry, down from 4.8 last season.  Takes it himself pic.twitter.com/EDvJX3oAbh — Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 19, 2026 Their offensive line had trouble against LSU in pass protection. They also struggled to create running lanes for the backs. Sound familiar? The pressure has forced Reed to make throws from a messy pocket that has resulted in four interceptions, giving him 16 in his last 17 games. Reed's efficiency rating his 17 points lower than KJ Jackson, and Jackson's completion percentage is seven points higher (62 to 55).  Victory Sunday 😼 pic.twitter.com/3aimU9QT5I — Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) September 20, 2026 Craver is still a dynamic playmaker in the passing game. Reed targets him as much as Jackson targets Chris Marshall. They ran a lot of tunnel screens to Craver on third and long the last two games. They will stretch the field and try to get Craver in space as much as possible. Isaiah Horton is Reed's second option and is a big physical guy on the edge. Ashton Bethel-Roman has been injured the last few weeks and only has two catches for 13 yards this season. Opponents are passing foe 212 yards per game which is 17 yards more than the Aggies. Mike Elko dismissed rumors that Reed would be replaced as the starting quarterbacl following a dismal performance against LSU.  BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DEFENSE Elko's defense is still tough, but there are holes on the back end. LSU's Jackson caught six passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns against the Aggies and a third touchdown grab was called back. Winston Watkins also had 107 yards on five catches. Of the 312 yards receiving, 153 of them were after the catch. The zone coverages were very loose and TAMU did not register a sack. That was rough considering Sam Leavitt had a lower leg injury and was not very mobile.  In fact, the Aggies only have four sacks this season which is a far cry from the 3.3 sacks per game in 2025. They registered two quarterback hurries agasint LSU and one against Kentucky. Kentucky head coach Will Stein did a great job developing a game plan that would attack A&M and limit their ability to pin their ears back.  Quarterback's nightmare pic.twitter.com/32OQkCVUla — Texas A&M Football (@AggieFootball) September 19, 2026 Noah Mikhail and Ray Coney are the leading tacklers from their linebacker spots. Defensive end TJ Searcy has 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack to lead the team. Marco Jones has an interception for a touchdown and forced fumble at the other end spot. Julio Humphrey had a pick six earlier this season at corner.  BOTTOM LINE It is not an overreaction to think that Arkansas can win this game. The Aggies opened as a 15 point favorite, which may be a little high. Traditionally, this game has been close no matter how talented the teams have been. Last year's three-point win by A&M is a prime example. Statiscally speaking, the two teams are similar this season. Both teams have struggled with their run game and quarterback play has been inconsistent.  Both defenses haven't allowed a ton of yards but have given up a lot of points. The Aggies are averaging 4.78 yards per play while the Hogs are averaging 4.85. This may end up being an old-fashioned pillow fight when it is all said and done. A low scoring game in the twenties is par for the course in this series. Arkansas gained confidence in their 28-point win over Tulsa. It is critical for Arkansas to get better in the run game. If that means new starters, then that has to happen now. Two weeks ago, this was not a winnable game. Now, it is not out of the question. The Aggies still have the better roster, there will be over 100,000 fans ready to make Arkansas uncomfortable on Saturday night. If Arkansas can contain Reed and not let him run wild, they wil have a chance. LSU and Kentucky have provided the blueprint on how to limit his explosiveness on the ground. It will be interesting to see how things develop for both sides this week. This game always has a surprise or two.