Arkansas Football Preview
Hogs must improve to compete with tough SEC schedule
The team loses only five starters from the defensive and offensive units, but they will have to improve tremendously to compete with the top SEC teams. The Razorbacks have to play LSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and the defending national champion Florida Gators.
Arkansas barely defeated Louisiana-Monroe and Western Illinois in 2008. The team should play a lot better in Petrino’s second year as head coach, but do not expect them to upset any of the top SEC opponents.
Razorbacks’ Offense
Ryan Mallett will finally get to start for the Razorbacks after having to sit out the 2008 season after transferring from Michigan. Mallett should be able to come in and run the offense well, but the team is young and will need to mature quick to end up with a better record than last year.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Wilson also looks impressive and adds some good depth to the quarterback position.
The running back position is also loaded with talent and depth. Michael Smith will be returning as the starter after averaging 107.2 yards a game last season.
Smith is backed up by transfers Broderick Green (from USC) and Adrian Moore (from Oklahoma State). Dennis Johnson and De'Anthony Curtis return to add even more depth at the position.
The Hogs have a talented squad of receivers with Jarius Wright and Joe Adams performing well all through the spring. Receivers London Crawford, Lucas Miller, and Reggie Fish also will make some good targets for Mallett. Tight end D.J Williams should also make as a reliable receiver.
The offensive line lost two starters and may have a tough time with the SEC defenses through the season. The line definitely needs to mature for Arkansas to get more than two or three conference wins.
Razorbacks’ Defense
Last season the Razorbacks defense gave up an average of 31 points a game. The entire defensive line is returning, including the very talented tackle Malcolm Sheppard.
The main problem is that cornerback Isaac Madison is the only returner for the team’s secondary, and he is now out for the season due to an ACL tear.
Freshman David Gordon is a solid corner that has plenty of speed and has the Arkansas coaches excited. Gordon is also on the Razorbacks’ track team.
The defense looked better in the spring, but still need to come together with the start of the season this week. They definitely do not need to give up 30 points per game again this year.
Razorbacks’ Special Teams
A special team was a key weakness for Arkansas last season. This led to Petrino hiring John L. Smith as his special teams’ coordinator.
Smith was the head coach at Utah State and Louisville when Petrino served as an assistant at both places. Alex Tejada is returning as the placekicker, but he needs to improve after going just 4-for-9 on field goals last season.
The Hogs have to replace punter Jeremy Davis, who averaged 44 yards a punt through his career. Briton Forestor looks to start take his place after sitting out last season due to his transferring from Hawaii.
Arkansas’ Schedule
If the offensive line is able to protect Mallett and give him time to throw to his receivers then Arkansas should be able to pull off some more wins this season. The more important key to the team’s outcome is if the defense can improve against the tough SEC teams it will play.
These tough SEC opponents include games at Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss and LSU, which are all teams in the top 15 of the AP preseason poll.
Arkansas opens the season with Missouri State on September 5, which should be no problem. However, Petrino needs to get his team to play well in preparation for their second game, which is against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Georgia is No. 13 in the preseason polls and it would make for a huge boost for Arkansas if they can pull the upset.
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