Hogs Should Enjoy a Less Demanding Second Half

Is it too much for fans to start imagining that these Arkansas Razorbacks might make a return trip to Jerry Jones’ Cowboys Stadium for the 2010 Cotton Bowl? A 5-3 mark in the SEC might do it.

Just the same, like last year by season’s end the Hogs might wonder what might have been in a game or two that could have turned a 5-7 final mark to a bowl eligible 6-6. And right now, Razorback fans might be joyous for a return to the Dallas Metroplex but would gladly take the short sojourn over to Memphis and the Liberty Bowl to meet the best Conference-USA has to offer.

We didn’t expect Arkansas to beat Florida (this was written before the game) – and who did? – but the remainder of the schedule is, if not outright winnable, at least manageable. Six games and not a one of the opponents will measure up to Alabama or Florida – not Ole Miss, not LSU, not even South Carolina.

Granted, Arkansas will face devilish defenders in those games, talent good enough to slow down Bobby Petrino’s high-scoring machine.

Scoring 41 or more points in an SEC, while a possibility against the likes of Mississippi State, is unlikely against the front-seven skill that Ole Miss possesses, or against the well-coached bunch of South Carolina.

LSU is the hardest to call six games out, mainly because we don’t know if the undisciplined Tigers will fall apart like they did last year or find some success on offense to help out their fierce defense.