ARKANSAS OFFENSE VS. FLORIDA DEFENSE:

Great matchup here. The Gators allow 2.7 yards per carry on defense. The Razorbacks average six yards per carry on offense. Darren McFadden and Felix Jones have combined for 2,446 yards in 12 games. So tomorrow's game could be decided on the ground. Considering LSU's defense looked so helpless against the Arkansas run game, it's hard to imagine UF having much success. The Gators have a very deep defensive line, but without DT Marcus Thomas in the middle, the unit gets much less push up front. The linebackers must step up in this game, but leading tackler Earl Everett is questionable and MLB Brandon Siler has not been 100% in recent weeks. But Siler will play, and I'm betting that Everett is starting tomorrow night too. He's tough and plays with a lot of passion. If Everett can't go, UF will turn to freshman Brandon Spikes. Spikes is a great recruit, and you'll hear his name mentioned a lot in the upcoming seasons. But UF doesn't want to rely on a youngster against the best running back duo in the nation.

Arkansas uses so much creativity to get McFadden and Jones the ball. Sometimes, it's just your everyday handoff. Other times, it's a pitch to the outside. Then, there is the "Wildcat" formation. This lines up McFadden at quarterback and gives him the option to rush it himself, hand to Jones (who is explosive around the edges), or pass. McFadden has a 349.60 quarterback rating. He is arguably the best all-around player in the country. He can do everything. The pressure will be on the perimeter of the UF defense to take away the big play and contain McFadden and Jones. Luckily, UF has a fast and experienced secondary that tackles well. When Arkansas is running against the Gators, the Razorbacks have a big edge. That has more to do with Arkansas than Florida. Good luck stopping the Razorbacks. UF will need it.

I thought last week's loss to LSU exposed Arkansas in one way. LSU took away quarterback Casey Dick's favorite receiver - Marcus Monk. Monk (6 foot 6 inches) is taller than any defensive back UF has. He is great in the red zone. He has 880 yards receiving this year and 10 touchdowns. However, the next best receiver, Damian Williams, has just 221 yards. It is a one-man show. LSU used shutdown cornerback Chevis Jackson on Monk and double teamed him with their safeties. Florida will likely put Ryan Smith on Monk and a safety as help over the top. If the Gators can take away Monk, they will be able to shut down Dick and the Arkansas passing game. That, ultimately, is what lost last week's game for the Hogs. UF's secondary might allow a lot of yards, but it creates turnovers at will. Smith (seven interceptions) and Reggie Nelson (five) have more INTs than any other duo in the nation. I give the edge here to UF's pass defense.

At the line of scrimmage, watch out for UF defensive ends Jarvis Moss and Derrick Harvey. Harvey's eight sacks are third in the SEC, but his production has dropped since Thomas was kicked off the team. Ray McDonald is another solid pass rusher. However, Arkansas holds the edge at the line of scrimmage with an offensive line that has allowed just eight sacks all year. That's the best in the country. Obviously, it's a great run-blocking offensive line too. Arkansas should be able to put up points. The key for the Gators will be to take away the big play and force turnovers, as they have all year. Arkansas must stay in this game heading into the fourth quarter. The offense depends so heavily on the run, that it cannot afford to fall behind. If that does happen, Dick must find other options, because I guarantee UF tries to take Monk out of the game.

FLORIDA OFFENSE VS. ARKANSAS DEFENSE:

This should be a high-scoring game. I expect Arkansas to run at will against UF, and I expect UF to pass at will against Arkansas. This is the biggest game in Chris Leak's career. Florida's four-year starter won't become a legend until he wins the conference. This is his chance. Leak has been much more clutch this year than in the past. In three games (Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida State), he has led the Gators down the field for a game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Leak has also cut down his interceptions, but he is plagued by the occasional bad decision. He is protected by a solid offensive line that has allowed 20 sacks. Not great, but certainly not bad. Part of the reason for the low sack total is Leak's mobility and the fact that the Florida offense relies on a lot of quick passes. The Gators don't really throw the ball downfield much. The Arkansas defensive line is underrated, with tackle Keith Jackson Jr. and ends Jamaal Anderson (11 sacks) and Antwain Robinson (6.5 sacks) playing well this year. UF's offense usually does a good job eliminating defensive line play because the ball gets spread around the field so quickly.

More players touch the ball offensively for the Gators than on any other team in the conference. On the ground, RB DeShawn Wynn is relatively healthy, but not 100%. UF also likes to hand the ball off to receivers like Percy Harvin and Andre Caldwell. Harvin is one of the best freshmen in the country, and he will be one of the fastest players on the field. I think his speed, as opposed to Wynn's strength and durability, will be more advantageous for the Gators against the Razorbacks defense. UF has more team speed than Arkansas. Oh yeah, backup quarterback Tim Tebow isn't bad at carrying the ball either. He averages 5.6 yards per carry and has a nose for the endzone. Arkansas gives up 117.2 rushing yards per game, with LB Sam Olajubutu leading the way with 101 tackles. UF should be able to run effectively, but this is a passing offense.

Dallas Baker (touchdown maker), Jemalle Cornelius, Harvin, Caldwell, Cornelius Ingram. These are the five wide receivers that will take the field, occasionally at the same time, tomorrow night. Arkansas cannot match up with this unit, but which team can? UF likes short routes over the middle that get the playmakers out into the open field. Also, wide receiver screens are used a lot. The point is to get the ball to the playmakers and let them use their feet to gain yards. Arkansas needs to put cornerback Chris Houston on Baker. Baker is Florida's best receiver, and he has nine touchdowns. The others are good too, but if there is one guy to try to eliminate, it's Baker. Houston struggled last week against Dwayne Bowe, but he has put together a solid season and earned the reputation of being a shutdown corner. Still, UF holds the edge here, as long as interceptions are avoided.

These offenses contrast in style. Arkansas will pound the ball. The Gators will get fancier. They like trick plays such as reverses and wide receiver passes. UF spreads it out, while Arkansas relies mostly on two players. Both offenses have the edge over the opposing defenses. We know UF can gain yards, but can the Gators put up points? Sometimes, that has been an issue.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Here's the stat of the week, and it comes thanks to a great article written in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. In UA's 10 wins, the team has had a field position advantage of 1,666 yards. When Arkansas wins the field position battle, it usually wins the game. Punter Jacob Skinner has pinned opponents inside the 20 yard line 24 times. The real special teams threats are McFadden and Jones returning kickoffs. Each has taken one to the house this year. Field goal kicker Jeremy Davis is just 6 for 11 this season.

It's crazy that UF hasn't lost a game this year because of a missed field goal. For the fourth-ranked team in the country, you'd expect better. This week's kicker will be a game-time decision, but expect it to be Chris Hetland. Hetland is 3 for 12 this year. His longest kick is 29 yards. Luckily, the rest of the special teams unit is solid, including coverage on returns. FSU nearly took a kickoff back last week, so the Gators will have to do a better job on Saturday. Punter Eric Wilbur's 42.9 average is misleading, because he has been inconsistent this season with some shanks from time to time. On a positive note, we can't forget about what happened against South Carolina: Two blocked field goals and a blocked extra point.

Overall, the advantage probably goes to Arkansas because the Hogs are more capable of making a big play on special teams. Both coaches have stressed the importance of special teams this week. It might decide the contest.

PREDICTION:

I predict a lot of points. The defenses are good statistically, but they don't compare to the offenses. I like teams that run the ball, and Arkansas will almost certainly do that better than Florida. UF has had too many close calls this year, and I think their luck will run out in the SEC Championship Game.

Arkansas 35
Florida 28