Possession/Field Position -- Key State for Vandy.

[Bomis Hawg]

Looks like this may be a game of field position early.  Arkansas is #52 in the nation in KR average (19.38).  Thats way too low.  Put Fish or Jones back there on KR and let the speed take over.  Vanderbilt has the #7 KR defense (13.4).  Kelvin Marion, WR's KR, averaged 23 yards per KR last year.  He was held to a very low 13.75. 

Vanderbilt scored four times in the Wake game.  They averaged starting LOS was the 27 (their own 4, 22, 31, and the Wake 49).  As mentioned, the turnovers will be key.  14 of their points came off of turnovers. 

Wake had six drives of 9+ plays.  So, sustained drives can come on these guys.  That should be obvious with them being killed on the run game.  Wake had 3 drives starting from their own 35 yard line or better, two resulting in scores while one was a punt.  They didn't capitalize on turnovers, either.  Both turnovers they got ended in punts.  Another key.

Arkansas turned two turnovers into points, aside the turnover to end the game.  The other two resulted in fumbles of their own.  The average starting position on the scoring drives were their own 39 yard line.  Arkansas had 6 drives from their own 45 yard line or better.  Four resulted in nothing -- 2 fumbles, 1 downs, and 1 missed FG.  Two were touchdowns.  Arkansas can't play with Vanderbilt by screwing up good field positions.  Have to capitalize. 

On the flip side of that, Missouri State had good field positions four times (one in Arkansas territory).  THey fumbled twice while punting one.  Their lone points game on a FG on the only drive in Ark. territory.  Two of the scoring drives came on long drives for  MSU.  Only three total were 7+ plays, two were resulted in interceptions.  That's a good sign.

Arkansas the ability to sustain drives.  But, only four drives were 7+ play drives.  It will be interesting to see if Houston wants to go with big plays or sustained drives. 

Seems that if Arkansas was going to take control of this game early, they need to correct the fumblitis.  Though it seems Vanderbilt is a team that isn't LOS-based, can score from anywhere.  Wake had huge drives.  Arkansas can do that.  Just keep the ball, run it down their throat, and limit the short passing attack of Vanderbilt.