Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

We usher in our weekly media roundtable with a look at the Arkansas Razorbacks, Arkansas State Red Wolves and the Southeastern Conference.

This year, we’ll include a guest roundtable participant and this week we’re pleased to be joined by Barrett Sallee, the Southeastern Conference reporter for BleacherReport.com (follow him on Twitter @barrettsallee).

Jim Harris, columnist and contributing editor for ArkansasSports360.com leads the panel and is also joined this week by Chris Bahn, ArkansasSports360.com's Fayetteville-based editor; Justin Acri of KABZ-FM 103.7 The Buzz, and regular contributor Doc Harper, editor of ArkansasExpats.com. (Listen to Doc and Bahn hit on these topics, plus pop tarts and in-game stadium music in this week's Hog Slobber Podcast.)

And tell us what you think in the comments section. Be a part of the roundtable as well.

Let’s get the roundtable started. Bahn, while you’re here, pass around the cookies:

Jim Harris: Guys, what do you expect from Arkansas' opener against Jacksonville State? And, for a bonus topic, did you get enough out of knowing that Knile Davis took a hit in the private scrimmage last Friday to feel good about his chances for a big season this fall?

Barrett Sallee: I expect to learn literally nothing about Arkansas' 2012 football team, and that's a good thing. It was clear that John L. Smith didn't want to let Knile Davis take contact during fall camp, so I expect him to get a few carries to get back into game mode, and then get out of there. It's clear that this is Arkansas' last, best shot at a national title before going through a rebuilding process, so I expect this one to be more of a depth-building game than anything else.

Chris Bahn: This looks like an easy win for Arkansas on paper. I figure Knile will get a few carries and continue to work his way back into being game/tackle ready. I’m not sure how necessary it was to get him hit in camp unless it’s something he was dying to do. Keeping him healthy and fresh for Alabama is the best play here.

Harris: I love how everyone kept referring to how Felix Jones wasn’t hit in the 2006 preseason and had fumble-itis against Southern Cal. Actually, I love how folks could correlate Jacksonville State with USC. Knile will be fine, and nobody deserves to have luck with injuries shine on him more.

Doc Harper: I'm not a fan of using these first two games, even though they are essentially preseason games, as warm-up practices for Alabama. I believe in establishing habits quickly and early, and I think they should have done that in the scrimmages by involving Knile more than they did, and I think they could have still done it in a limited fashion. But I don't think that means he will or won't have a big year.

Justin Acri: I expect Arkansas to look solid and vanilla as they prepare for Alabama while (a) trying not to show much and (b) trying to stay healthy. Since JL Smith was evasive as could be, I'm not sure if Knile took any worthwhile contact or not. 

Harris: Can Arkansas State stay on the field and keep viewers watching at Oregon on Saturday night? You’ll be there in person, Bahn; will you start on your column by halftime or will the game keep you in suspense longer?