As the Razorbacks are gearing up to take on Tennessee this Saturday, one of the most important issues that needs to be addressed by Coach Bielema and his staff this week are penalties. It seems the past three weeks, the Hogs have not only shot themselves in the foot in big situations, they unloaded the whole clip into it, reloaded and emptied it into their foot again. The most recent example was a critical, but manageable 4th-and-3 at the Texas A&M 35 with just a little over 4 minutes to go in the game, and the Hogs up by a touchdown. The Hogs had pounded the A&M defense into the ground, and by all accounts, had a play they felt very confident would move the chains, and possibly give them the win. However, Denver Kirkland, one of Arkansas’s better lineman, got called for a false start that pushed the Hogs back into a 4th-and-8, and outside field goal range. The Hogs were forced to punt, and it went all down hill from there. In case you need another painful reminder the Hogs lost 28-21 in overtime. (Razorbacks season in a nutshell)

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When Bielema took over the keys to the program, he came in with his teams having a reputation of playing smash mouth, pro-style, time of possession dominating and penalty free football. Which has been affectionately and not so affectionately dubbed, “Bert Ball” among college football fans. The A&M game saw the Razorbacks check 2 outta 3 boxes, as they kept the Aggie’s defense off balance and controled the clock most of the night. That unchecked box is potentially the difference maker going into Neyland Stadium this weekend.

Last Season, Arkansas was one of the LEAST penalized teams in the country coming in at number 32 in the FBS with around 5 penalties per game. Now, while 32 doesn’t seem that great at first glance, the difference between number 32 and number 6 was less than one penalty a game. This year however? The Hogs are looking at a number 93 ranking, with almost 8 penalties a game. That’s three higher an average per game. That’s not “Bert Ball.” That’s the difference between going to a bowl and staying home on the couch.

The Hogs face a murderers row of an SEC schedule this year, with away games at Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss. There’s still some very winnable games on the schedule, however…WE COMIN’ FOR YOU UT-MARTIN! Arkansas just has to play smart, stop the flags and get back to playing the best “Bert Ball” they can.