Texas A&M has once again proven itself as one of the premier teams in college football, entering Week 8 as one of only 10 undefeated Power Four programs — and one of just two in the SEC. The Aggies have shown they can grind out low-scoring battles or trade blows in high-octane shootouts, looking dominant when both sides of the ball are clicking.
That’s why this trip to Fayetteville doesn’t exactly send waves of panic through Aggie Nation. This team has already shown it can win in just about every way imaginable. Still, Arkansas won’t be an easy out, and a victory is far from guaranteed. With that in mind, let’s dive into some of the more intriguing storylines heading into this midafternoon showdown.
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How will the Aggies handle Arkansas’ high-powered offense?
Despite a disappointing 2–4 start that cost former head coach Sam Pittman his job, Arkansas has quietly fielded one of the most productive offenses in the country. The Razorbacks rank fourth nationally in total offense (503.8 yards per game), fueled by a balanced attack averaging 223.4 rushing yards and 280.4 passing yards per contest.
Quarterback Taylen Green remains one of the nation’s most underrated dual-threat playmakers. He’s thrown for 1,654 yards, added 504 on the ground, and accounted for 17 total touchdowns. Under interim head coach and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks have found rhythm and identity — no small feat amid a chaotic season.
The key question is whether Mike Elko’s defense can slow this machine down. The Aggies have already faced their share of explosive offenses, but few as complete as this one. If A&M’s defense holds firm, it’ll be one of the group’s most impressive performances yet. If not, the Aggie offense will need to replicate the kind of firepower it displayed in that thrilling win over Notre Dame just weeks ago.
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Can Marcel Reed capitalize on a struggling Razorback pass defense?
If there were ever a setup for Marcel Reed to have his breakout game, this is it. Arkansas’ secondary has been porous, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 62.3% of their passes for 251 yards per game — ranking 116th nationally. The Razorbacks also sit 79th in sack rate, have given up nine passing touchdowns, and rank 119th in explosive passing plays (20+ yards). In short, there’s no reason Reed shouldn’t find success through the air.
That said, Reed’s recent performances have been inconsistent. Over the past month, he’s completed just 56.5% of his passes — a rate that would sit near the bottom of the FBS if extended over the season — and he’s committed at least one turnover in four straight games.
While those miscues haven’t cost A&M yet, they could eventually. This matchup offers Reed a prime opportunity to sharpen his efficiency, regain rhythm, and build confidence before the season’s tougher tests arrive.
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How will A&M reshape its running back room after Le’Veon Moss’s injury?
One of the toughest blows of the season came late last Saturday, when star running back Le’Veon Moss went down with another serious leg injury — his second in as many years. Although there’s hope Moss can return later this season, he’ll be sidelined for this game, forcing the Aggies to reconfigure their backfield.
How Texas A&M responds here could reveal a lot about its offensive identity moving forward. With Moss unavailable, others will need to step up — and this trip to Arkansas may serve as both a proving ground and a preview of what’s to come for the Aggie rushing attack.
While losing the team’s leading rusher is never ideal, this matchup offers the perfect opportunity to test the depth of Texas A&M’s backfield. Arkansas ranks 124th nationally — and last in the SEC — in run defense, surrendering 208.6 rushing yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry.
That bodes well for Rueben Owens, who’s averaging 5.8 yards per attempt and has been heating up, posting 193 yards over his last two outings. He’ll handle the bulk of the carries this week, with Marcel Reed likely contributing his share of explosive plays on the ground.
The real intrigue lies in how Jamarion Morrow, EJ Smith, and Amari Daniels factor into the rotation. Will one emerge as a true No. 2 option, or will the Aggies lean on a situational approach that plays to each back’s strengths?
However it shakes out, the key is that it happens now. A&M needs clarity and rhythm in the run game before heading to Baton Rouge — where one of the nation’s toughest defensive fronts awaits.
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