Arkansas Preview

#5 Arkansas

We are 48 days from the start of College football and up to number five in our SEC Power Poll ------> The Razorbacks of Arkansas. Outside of Happy Vally PA has any other team in college football had a worst off season? Right before the #1 LSU vs #3 Arkansas game last season if you was to tell me that Bobby Petrino would be fired during the off season I would have never believed you. I wouldn't have even been able to come up with something that would make him friable. Who could have ever seen this coming The Bobby Petrino Story (Dominate365) but lets fast forward now that Petrino is gone and John L. Smith has stepped into a "one year" deal as Head Coach. Usually with this much turn over I would rank a team even lower, but I believe there is enough talent in Fayetteville to keep the Hogs in the upper half of the SEC for at least one more year.

Breaking down the numbers on offence last season the Razorbacks where 29th in the nation, but number 1 in the SEC. A large part of that success was due to returning of 2012 Heisman hopeful QB Tyler Wilson. The bad news for this offence is they loss some key WR's but get RB Knile Davis back who could also be a Heisman candidate in 2012. I know Bobby Petrino and UAB's Garrick Mcgee where the masters behind that offence, but before Bobby was fired he hired his little brother Paul Petrino who is also a offensive guru. So I really believe that they will be fine on offence in 2012.
The Defense is 2011 wasn't that bad at 47th in the NCAA, but they lose half of the defense including two lineman, two linebackers, and two DB's so they will be hurting in every layer of their defense.

Returning Starters

Offence: 7

Defence: 6

ST: 2

Schedule and Predictions

• Jacksonville State W
• La. Monroe W
• Alabama L
• Rutgers W
• @ Texas A&M ? W
• @ Auburn ? W
• Kentucky W
• Ole Miss W
• Tulsa W
• @ South Carolina L
• @ Mississippi State ? W
• LSU L

I think the Razorbacks will be 9-3, but they have three very trick road games @ Texas A&M @ Auburn and @ Mississippi State I wouldn't be shocked if the slipped up and lost one of those games. Also to note Alabama and LSU are both home games this year, but I just don't think they will be able to win either of those games. The main thing that is hard to predict for Arkansas is how will all the off season firings and arrest effect them in 2012? Will it make for a season to forget or will they bond together and take a it's me VS the world attitude.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on Twitter @Patrickp13