Power ranking the SEC after week four: 15 - Arkansas
Talk about a heartbreaker for the Hogs. For the second straight week, the Razorbacks were driving on offense with a chance to take the lead in the waning moments of the game, and they fumbled the ball. That drops Arkansas to 2-2 from what could have been a 4-0 start— one that, in all likelihood, would have had them ranked with a win over a currently-top-12 Ole Miss.
Still, though, if Arkansas is really a team that is for real, they need to not be in a position where they need a late-game drive to turn their win-loss fortunes against this kind of team. For long stretches of the game, Memphis simply outplayed the Hogs, though Arkansas hit on some huge explosive plays from time to time. They didn't get enough, however, and it ended up leading to a loss.
The Hogs are now riding a two-game losing streak with Notre Dame coming to town next week. They have a chance for a huge signature win in that one, but they need to have a much more consistent performance than they did against Memphis.
In particular, their defense simply must be better. They currently are playing like one of the worst units in the FBS, exemplified well by the final consequential play of the game where the Memphis backup quarterback came in and dragged an Arkansas defensive lineman for six yards to convert a third down where the Hogs absolutely needed a stop. If they don't shape up, they'll be a dangerous team thanks to their offense— but a one-sided one.