Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

I’m tired of everyone beating around the bush when it comes to the Razorbacks Football hopes next season.

Arkansas should be considered a legitimate national title contender from the first Saturday this fall. But unfortunately most national writers and even many locally in the state of Arkansas are coy about the Hogs’ chances next season.

The schedule is the biggest obstacle, but it is also Arkansas’ biggest selling card. Recently, Phil Steele ranked Arkansas’ schedule as the 20th toughest in the nation, but as most national preseason publications predict, he feels maybe that’s too tough instead of tough enough.

Arkansas has to play Alabama and LSU on the road next season, which is why Arkansas is almost a unanimous third in the SEC West.

Here’s the secret no one wants to put out there: There won’t be any undefeated teams in the SEC next season. If Arkansas can split those two games, which I believe they’ll do, then they are in the SEC Championship game against either South Carolina or Georgia in my prediction and are well on their way to playing in the National Title game if they win.

An 12-1 Arkansas is at the very least the second best team in the nation. Alabama won’t go undefeated after losing veteran players at key positions, namely quarterback and defensive tackle. AJ McCarron, Alabama’s presumed starter at quarterback was less than impressive against Auburn last season completing none of his passes, while Tyler Wilson put on a clinic with or with out including his two late interceptions. Trent Richardson is undoubtedly valuable and talented as is his backup Eddie Lacy. But are they collectively better than Arkansas’ back field, which includes the SEC’s leading returning rusher Knile Davis, Ronnie Wingo and Dennis Johnson? In addition to rushing for more than 600 yards more than Richardson, Davis was also a more efficient runner, averaging more yards per carry than Richardson. Alabama’s defense is good, but so is Arkansas’. I don’t think that defense is good enough to make up for their lack of offensive experience and talent when compared to the Razorbacks’.

What about LSU? According to ESPN’s position by position rankings, LSU has a better quarterback situation than Arkansas does. Allegedly because Jordan Jefferson has more in-game experience. While true, I doubt this season will be any different than last, even with the addition of Steve Kragthorpe. Don’t believe the myth that his surrounding talent will be the difference either. LSU must replace Stevan Ridley in the backfield and their wide receivers like Reuben Randle, while highly touted coming out of high school have been little more than street cones clogging up a dead highway in the secondary. Compare that to skill position players like Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Cobi Hamilton, Knile Davis and Ronnie Wingo, and the scales are tipped quickly in the Hogs’ favor. (When Ronnie Wingo is your sixth option, the other team is in trouble.) Similar to Alabama, LSU’s defense is the reason why everyone is picking them to do great things next season. Much like last season however, their defense can only do so much until a team with offensive firepower like Arkansas or Auburn last season wears them down and steals a win.

With this in mind, and given that Arkansas winning ten games is not only likely, it should be expected, splitting these two games could put Arkansas in the national title.

Don’t beat around the bush. Arkansas is that good. National Title good.

TJ Carpenter is a contributor to ArkansasSports360.com and fill-in cohost on Sportsline with John and Mike.