Arkansas 2015 Preview: Hoggin’ With The Hogs
This weekend wasn’t the greatest for the Arkansas Razorbacks, after their top running back, Jonathan Williams, broke his foot in fall camp and is out for the rest of the season.
Now, a lot rests on some other players. How is this going to have an affect on the Hogs – who some believe could be battling it out for a SEC West title (or at least be much improved?)
LAST YEAR
This was the best 7-6 (2-6 in the SEC) team in the nation. Had Arkansas’ kickers actually been able to do their job properly and their defense not choked up a late lead, the Razorbacks would have beaten Alabama and Texas A&M and been a far nicer 4-4 in the SEC and 9-4 overall. Williams and stablemate Alex Collins were hosses for the Razorbacks, running for over 1,000 yards each behind a monster offensive line. QB Brandon Allen was actually more solid than people believe, throwing for 2,200 yards and 20 TDs and only 5 INTs. Thanks to Williams and Collins, he didn’t need to have huge numbers….and never threw for above 300 yards.
THIS OFF-SEASON
Arkansas lost offensive co-ordinator Jim Chaney to Pat Narduzzi’s new shop at Pittsburgh, where he’ll govern the same position. Denny’s in Fayetteville is said to be mourning the loss of their best customer. Arkansas hired Central Michigan’s head coach Dan Enos to be the new offensive co-ordinator. Central Michigan finished 81st in points scored in 2014. The team also hired Vernon Hargreaves as the linebackers coach, who has a pretty great history. And also in the off-season, Jonathan Williams got a football injury that puts him out for the year. Have we mentioned that?
QUARTERBACKS/WIDE RECEIVERS
Brandon Allen will be starting on the first game of the season, but no-one’s really in love with him at the position. “With Allen at quarterback, the Razorbacks have blown fourth quarter leads five times. Arkansas failed to score in the fourth quarter or overtime five times last season,” WholeHogSports.com has complained. And this was with an all-star offensive line. This is almost Romo-esque!
Allen’s going to have get in gear if the Razorbacks get over the hump this year, particularly with Williams being out. If you didn’t already know.
Receiving-wise, Keon Hatcher and TE Hunter Henry are both solid targets, and Jared Cornelius could be OK, but otherwise, no-one’s a world-beater in this unit.
RUNNING BACK
With that big dude done for the year, a lot of pressure’s going to be on Alex Collins to perform. Collins had a strong 2014 with some eye-catching moments (he reminds us a little of former Georgia great Todd Gurley), but the pressure’s going to be piled on him, now that he’s running back A of Bielema’s operation. Freshman Rawleigh Williams III – a three-star recruit from Dallas – is said to have wowed practice fans with his speed, and could pick up the pieces. Kody Walker, Connor McPherson, Denzell Evans and Juan Day are your other RBs.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bret Bielema’s always prided himself on having a big offensive line, and it’ll be BIG this year too. Should smash up some holes for Collins and A.N. Other.
DEFENSE
Fun fact: If you google “Arkansas Defense”, it comes up with “Arkansas Defense Force Militia”. Which is nice.
Now, the team was all guns blazing at the end of the 2014 season, posting back-to-back shut-outs against Ole Miss and LSU, and limiting six straight teams to 17 points or under. Oh, and they also limited Alabama to 13, too. Robb Smith is doing a great job as DC of this unit, and we can’t wait for it to continue in 2015. Unfortunately for the Hogs, Trey Flowers and five others have gone to the NFL or graduated, with Flowers a monster loss. Although the ‘D’ should be flooded with seniors and juniors, there are still worries at linebacker.
SCHEDULE
Sep. 5 UTEP
Sep. 12 Toledo
Sep. 19 Texas Tech
Sep. 26 Texas A&M (at JerryWorld)
Oct. 3 at Tennessee
Oct. 10 at Alabama
Oct. 24 Auburn
Oct. 31 UT-Martin
Nov. 7 at Ole Miss
Nov. 14 at Louisiana State
Nov. 21 Mississippi State
Nov. 28 Missouri
OUR PREDICTION
Arkansas will start the season 3-0, thanks to a joke of a non-conference schedule. Hogs fans would probably be ecstatic if they could split the quadruple-whammy of Texas A&M, Tennessee, Alabama and Auburn (we think they win the first two and lost to Alabama and Auburn), then beat UT-Martin. They then go 1-1 in two monster match-ups, losing at Ole Miss but go to Tiger Stadium and beating LSU in a very fun game. They then beat Mississippi State and Missouri at home, leaving them with a pleasing 9-3 record, but only good for third in the SEC West.