Arkansas will once again be asked to defend an option running attack when it travels to No. 21 Mississippi State this weekend. Led by quarterback Chris Relf and running back Vick Ballard, the Bulldogs are third-best in the SEC, averaging 211.7 rushing yards per game this season. "They’re a lot like Auburn and they run the ball well," Arkansas defensive coordinator Willy Robinson said. "They have a very physical offensive line, probably comparable to Auburn. The quarterback is a lot like the Texas A&M kid, Jerrod Johnson, real quick They don’t have the big bruiser like they had in the backfield last year but these kids run physical.They’re a good football team, they really are." The No. 13 Razorbacks have struggled against the run at times this year, allowing more than 150 rushing yards per game. Arkansas has faced several mobile quarterbacks similar to Relf. In addition to Johnson, the Razorbacks have had to defend the likes of Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Ole Miss quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, among others. "There hasn’t been an offense that hasn’t given us an option look since the Georgia game," Robinson said, citing the Razorbacks’ third opponent of the year. "The biggest concern here is the fact they have three ways to go, the dive, the quarterback and the pitch. You have to have great discipline and know where your assignments are against these guys."
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