No. 6 Arkansas takes on No. 7 Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl

For weeks Arkansas fans have wondered who their beloved Hogs would play in the post season. Sunday night Hog fans found out that they will play in the Cotton Bowl versus No. 7 Kansas State January 6, for a school-record 12th time.

The 10-2 Wildcats started the season 7-0 with quality wins over unranked Miami and then No. 15 Baylor. KSU lost two back-to-back games against the only other ranked opponents they have played this season, then No. 11 Oklahoma 58-17 and the No. 3 Oklahoma State 52-45.  

Kansas State finished the season winning their last three games, in closely contested fashion, against Texas A&M, Texas, and Iowa State.

KSU is led by junior quarterback Collin Klein. Klein is a non-traditional quarterback that is a run-first option as opposed to a pocket passer.

Klein has 11 passing touchdowns on the season with 5 interceptions. He ranks 8th in the Big 12 in total passing yards (1,587) and 8th in completion percentage (58.5).

Klein hurts most teams with his ability to run. Klein leads KSU in rushing yards and ranks fourth in the Big 12 with 1,099 total yards. He leads the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns with 26.

The 10-2 Razorbacks ran through their SEC schedule with losses to No. 1 LSU and No. 2 Alabama, both games on the road. Arkansas picked up quality wins over then No. 14 Texas A&M, No. 15 Auburn, and No. 10 South Carolina.

One of the problem areas for the Razorbacks during the 2011 season has been running quarterbacks. Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, South Carolina, and LSU all had quarterbacks with the ability to run. Collin Klein presents a tough match up for the Razorback defense.

Kansas State will have to stop Arkansas top rated passing offense. KSU is ranked 74th in total defense allowing 398.75 yards per game. The Wildcats allow 267.33 yards passing per game ranking them 104th in the nation in pass defense.

The Razorbacks have the 13th ranked passing offense in the nation racking up 307.75 passing yards per game.

The Hogs have had success in the new Cowboys Stadium against Big 12 teams. The Hogs have a 3-0 record against Texas A&M in the Southwest Conference Classic over the past three seasons.

The last win for the Hogs in the Cotton Bowl was in 1999, a 27-6 victory over University of Texas. The Razorbacks last appearance in the Cotton Bowl was against Missouri, a game the Hogs lost 38-7.

Kansas State’s last appearance in the Cotton Bowl was in 2001 win they beat University of Tennessee 35-21. KSU has a 1-1 all-time record in the Cotton Bowl with their lone loss coming to BYU in 1997.

The SEC has won the last three Cotton Bowls; 2011 LSU 41, Texas A&M 24, 2010 Ole Miss 21, Oklahoma State 7, Ole Miss 47, Texas Tech 34.

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