Arkansas football vs. Texas A&M: Scouting report, prediction for Razorbacks' Week 5 game

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas football has a chance to equal its 2023 win total Saturday with a road trip to face No. 24 Texas A&M (2:30, ESPN).

This will be the final matchup between the Razorbacks (3-1, 1-0 SEC) and Aggies (3-1, 1-0) at the Dallas Cowboys ' AT&T Stadium. Future games will be held on each school's respective campus, with Arkansas set to host the 2025 date between the rivals.

The Hogs come into Week 5 with a ton of confidence after a 24-14 road victory over Auburn to open their SEC schedule. With a win over Texas A&M, Arkansas would improve to 2-0 in SEC play for the first time since the 2006 campaign and for only the fifth time since joining the conference in 1992.

Texas A&M suffered a home loss to Notre Dame in Week 1, but the Aggies have rattled off three straight wins, including a 33-20 road victory over Florida. Last week, Texas A&M knocked off Bowling Green 26-20.

Here are four things to watch from this weekend's matchup between Arkansas football and Texas A&M, along with a score prediction.

Who is under center for the Aggies?

Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said Wednesday that Conner Weigman is practicing to the side and will likely be a game-time decision. His backup is redshirt freshman Marcel Reed, and while defensive players for Arkansas say the preparation doesn't change, the Aggies' game plan will surely depend on who winds up as the starter.

More: Arkansas football, Texas A&M ready to end rivalry's Arlington era

More: Arkansas football's TJ Metcalf delivers heroic performance in win over Auburn

Weigman is athletic, but he doesn't possess the same running threat as Reed, who is averaging 72.3 rushing yards per game. Reed's 217 rushing yards this season nearly amount to Weigman's career-total of 225.

Reed only threw the ball 17 times against Florida as Texas A&M got out to an early lead and could sit on the advantage. Weigman, by contrast, had 30 pass attempts in the Week 1 loss to Notre Dame.

Strength-on-strength when Texas A&M has the ball

Reed's play has only added to the Aggies' offensive strength. Texas A&M ranks eighth in the country, averaging 256 yards rushing per game. Le'Veon Moss is the leader of the backfield with 354 yards rushing and three touchdowns, but Amari Daniels has also found success by averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

Arkansas football has thrived stopping the run through four games. The Hogs rank 14th nationally in the category, and they've already held star running backs like Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon and Auburn's Jarquez Hunter to modest games. Replicating those performances this weekend will give the Razorbacks a huge advantage.

Will the Arkansas football offensive line hold up?

The Aggies only have five sacks through four games, but there are future NFL players littered throughout their defensive line. Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton highlight the group, making an impact both inside and off the edge.

The Hogs are vastly improved up front, but they've had some issues protecting the quarterback and rank 100th in the country with nine sacks allowed. Taylen Green will need a better passing performance, and giving him more time is one way to ensure better success.

Could this be the breakout game for Luke Hasz?

Arkansas' sophomore tight end is off to a quiet start this fall with only six catches for 91 yards. Last week, Texas A&M allowed Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to rack up 145 yards and a touchdown on eight catches.

Hasz broke his collarbone in this matchup last year. It would be a fitting way to mark his return to form if he can have a big game on the AT&T Field and kickstart his second season with the Razorbacks.

Prediction

Both of these teams like to run the football, but the Aggies have been inconsistent stopping the ground game this season. Bobby Petrino will come up with a game plan that puts Taylen Green and Ja'Quinden Jackson in position to win this game. Last week, we said we wouldn't pick Arkansas until it proved it could win a meaningful SEC game. The Hogs did that last week, and now they will exercise some Arlington demons and continue a surprising start to the fall. Arkansas 27, Texas A&M 23

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football vs. Texas A&M: Scouting report, prediction for Razorbacks' Week 5 game