Ryan Silverfield won his Arkansas debut 31-14, then delivered a review I wouldn’t ordinarily associate with a victory: “one of the worst offensive performances that I’ve been a part of.” His Razorbacks possessed the ball for 41:25 against North Alabama. Plenty of time to exhaust an FCS defense, surely, but Arkansas averaged just 3.0 yards per rush. Utah will need to demand better blocking of themselves Saturday. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s college football game between the Utah Utes and the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Utah vs. Arkansas prediction, preview
The Utes allowed 4.8 yards per carry last season, which ought to encourage Arkansas to hand off early and often. But it’s a new year for that defense, and Arkansas’ ground game didn’t look great last week. I’d feel considerably better about the rushing approach if Braylen Russell and Sutton Smith had managed more than 85 yards on 32 carries last weekend (2.7 per attempt).
KJ Jackson compensated by completing 24 of 35 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, with Chris Marshall catching seven for 79 yards. Arkansas even converted 10 of their 17 third downs in that game. But consider how Jackson accumulated that passing yardage: his receivers gained 210 yards after the catch. Utah held opposing passers to 49.4% completions last season; if its defenders tackle Arkansas’s receivers promptly, Jackson will need to complete more passes downfield to sustain those possessions, and that could pose a problem for his skillset.
Arkansas will make Utah earn its first downs more than Utah’s other opponents this season. The Razorbacks allowed North Alabama only 153 yards and stopped nine of 10 third-down attempts; their defensive front now faces that Utes offensive line which replaced all five 2025 starters. Having said that, Utah surrendered zero sacks in its 66-14 win over Idaho, but we’ll all reserve our enthusiasm about that protection until those five block an SEC opponent consistently.
Arkansas vs. Utah pick, best bet
Whatever Arkansas disrupts up front, the secondary still has to track Wayshawn Parker once he leaves the backfield. Parker caught touchdown passes from nine and three yards out against Idaho, and ran for another score. Devon Dampier tends to throw to him when opponents overcommit defenders to the run. It’s an option Utah still may prefer against Arkansas, as opposed to asking a new line to clear running room on every snap near the goal line. Having said that, Utah scored touchdowns on a whopping 79.7% of its red-zone trips last season. I expect some regression there while the linemen learn to block together. At the very least, Parker gives Dampier a familiar and dependable receiver in tight quarters. Not the best red zone weapon, but a serviceable one nonetheless.
I’m laying Utah -12.5 (-110), with the Utes winning 38-20. Arkansas should force a few punts before halftime. Over four quarters, though, I expect its ineffective rushing to leave Jackson attempting too many third-down completions against this secondary, while Dampier leads touchdown drives Arkansas ultimately can’t answer.
Best bet: Utah -12.5 (-110)
Projected score: Utah 38, Arkansas 20
Best Bet: Utah -12.5 (-110) vs. Arkansas
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