Razorback running back Alex Collins is off to one the greatest season starts in program history. He has 656 yards through five games and at least 150 yards in each of the last three games against Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Tennessee.
This stretch is historic.
Collins has become the first Hog* to reel off three straight 150+ yard games against Power 5 conference opponents. Can he make it four in a row at Alabama this weekend? That’s doubtful against the nation’s stoutest and deepest defensive line, but grinding out 100 yards while staying relatively healthy would go a long way to the ground control the Hogs will need to have any hope of springing a big upset.
Right now, Collins’ historic season start is overshadowed by two prominent facts. His team is 2-3 and until last week against Tennessee was largely underwhelming That undercut the dark horse Heisman talk which burbled up after his running mate Jonathan Williams went down with a season-ending injury.
The other issue: Mr. Heisman looks to be locked up by LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who’s on an historically productive pace regardless of program. If Fournette’s production were to tail off, then it would Georgia’s Nick Chubb would likely step up as the SEC’s top back:
SEC Running Backs Through October 7, 2015
In short, the SEC’s running back class is ridiculously deep this year. Collins probably won’t catch Fournette or Chubb in terms of per-game yardage, but he has a chance to make the biggest early-season statement of the trio by leading Arkansas to its first win against a Nick Saban-led Crimson Tide team.
Collins’ production and the keys to Arkansas-Alabama have been some of the hottest topics on the Arkansas sports radioscape this week. I’ve gathered the best interviews on the topic in my newsletter:
If you want to find out how to get these interview roundups for free two-three times a week, just go here.
*Before Collins, three other Hogs sniffed at the trough of three straight 150+ yard performances against Power 5 teams. None quite dipped their tusks all the way in, but they got awfully close:
- 2010: Knile Davis: Mississippi State 187, LSU 152, Ohio St. 139.
- 2008: Michael Smith: Florida 133, Auburn 176, Kentucky 192
- 2002: Fred Talley: Auburn 241, Kentucky 182, Ole Miss 136
Stats culled by Hogstats.com, which is a Twitter must follow @HogStats
Image via Coed Coop, home of unique Razorback clothes for more than just gameday.
