Texas A&M vs. Arkansas

When: 11 a.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium

Records: Texas A&M (2-1); Arkansas (1-1)

Last meeting: Texas A&M 45, Arkansas 24 on Sept. 24, 2016

TV: ESPN

What's on the line?

For Texas A&M, the cupcake opponents are behind them. SEC play begins, and Kevin Sumlin doesn't have much room for error. If he fails, the Aggies would have two losses before facing five ranked teams later on. Winning Saturday seems to be asking a lot of Kellen Mond, the true freshman who will start in his first SEC game. But the Razorbacks have problems of their own, and their head man's seat is arguably hotter.

For Arkansas, this is the year to take down A&M. The Aggies are vulnerable with their inexperienced quarterback and head coach taking the heat. Senior quarterback Austin Allen didn't look sharp against TCU, but the Hogs will take his experience and body of work over Mond's. With two weeks to prepare, there should be no excuse for Bret Bielema to fall in this one again. If Sumlin loses, it's somewhat understandable. Bielema, on the other hand, would be out of answers.

When Texas A&Mhas the ball

One of Trayveon Williams' best games in 2016 came against Arkansas. The then-true freshman rushed for 153 yards on just 12 carries. Williams sealed the deal with two touchdowns in the second half, and the Aggies rushed for 366 yards on the day.

Don't be surprised if A&M attacks this game with a similar attitude. Sumlin said at Tuesday's presser that his star running back should play this Saturday. Mond is developing noticeably, and in response, the playbook is opening more for the freshman quarterback. Just last week, many of Mond's receivers played their best game of the season.

The offensive line could be an issue, however. The Aggies continually shifted the unit up front vs. Louisiana-Lafayette. Sumlin said the lineup of (from left tackle to right) Koda Martin-Colton Prater-Erik McCoy-Connor Lanfear-Keaton Sutherland should start this weekend. But if this season has proved something, it's that anything can change.

Mond and Co. will need quality pass protection when facing Arkansas' stout pass defense. The Hogs rank 13th with 130.5 passing yards allowed per game. Kenny Hill — the former A&M quarterback who aired it out for 386 yards and four touchdowns against Arkansas in 2014 — only managed to throw for 166 yards on the Razorbacks two weeks ago.

When Arkansas has the ball

Players like Hunter Henry, Jeremy Sprinkle, Drew Morgan, Rawleigh Williams and Alex Collins are no longer on this Arkansas team. Quarterback Austin Allen, like UCLA's Josh Rosen, is surrounded by minimal talent.

Having been known for abusing their opposition with a fierce ground game, the Razorbacks rank just 55th in the country in rushing yards per game. Through two games, Arkansas possesses just one pure receiver with more than three catches and 35 yards. The offensive line isn't helping either. Allen has been hit on 42 percent of his passes, according to SEC Network.

Allen, who went just 9 for 23 against TCU, will face a team leading the nation in turnover margin. Thanks to the help of Tyrel Dodson, the Aggies rank sixth against the run — an area the Razorbacks claim to excel in. When considering his unimpressive surrounding cast and the team's shaky kicker situation, Allen will need to be perfect.

Prediction

Before the season, it was safe to assume Texas A&M would split the UCLA and Arkansas games. That assumption will hold true Saturday, as the extra week to prepare won't matter for Bielema's Razorbacks.

If last week's game ended at halftime, the Aggies probably won't be favored in this one. But A&M's 31 unanswered points sparked the team with momentum heading into this week. Mond is progressing as a passer, the Aggies' receivers recently stepped up and the defense continues to exceed expectations. Meanwhile, the Hogs took a major step back against TCU.

Expect the Aggies to mirror last year's formula: Williams running rampant and the Aggies' defense winning the turnover battle.

Score: Texas A&M 27, Arkansas 20