Perhaps SI knows something that has been kept secret from the general public. From all I've read and heard, Arkansas is going to have a difficult time this football season, but 69th seems a tad low. Only time will tell.  

When speculating about Arkansas' chances this fall, I'm torn in which direction to go. For example, consider such low expectations and ask: Did four players who have departed elevate Arkansas last year from basically a mid-level Sun Belt team (re: Louisiana-Monroe) to SEC qu...  

When speculating about Arkansas' chances this fall, I'm torn in which direction to go. For example, consider such low expectations and ask: Did four players who have departed elevate Arkansas last year from basically a mid-level Sun Belt team (re: Louisiana-Monroe) to SEC quality squad capable of beating the national champion on the road? Of course we're talking D-Mac, Jones, Hillis and Monk. Without Monk the first two-thirds of the season, you saw no passing game other than with Hillis, and it showed in the results. Monk's return was key down the stretch with wins over Miss.State and LSU, giving room for the running game. Can four players make that much difference on the SEC level? If so, and then without them this season, then you'd have to consider even the Louisiana-Monroe game on Sept 6 to be a toss-up if Arkansas is reduced to a mid-level Sun Belt team without those players. Recruiting did not bring in a junior- or senior-ready quartet of Mcfadden, Jones, Hillis and MOnk. So, then, yeah, Arkansas would be in a tussle with the likes of Troy and so forth. Okie State was blown out at Troy, for gosh sakes. McFadden's and Jones' skill alone seemed to make Arkansas 20 points better than Troy last year at Fayetteville, while all the other areas were even at best.
But none of that takes into consideration that the offensive attack will be harder to defend simply by Petrino's style. You lose a McFadden or Jones, you replace their running success with wider lanes for quick backs like Michael Smith, and more pass-receiving threats. Now, the question is, are those freshmen receivers good enough to elevate the passing game and make Casey Dick better.
I have no hope for the defense at this time. I'm not sure two recruiting classes brought in simultaneously in the spring could have brought up the level of talent on defense enough for SEC standards. It's a work in progress.
Taking all that into consideration, yes, it's fair to rank Arkansas in the 70s range at this point. It's simply preseason. Players will either get better or get worse same for teams. Can Petrino coach this talent up to Top 30 caliber? Certainly he'll be earning every bit of his $2.8 million trying to do that.
  

We're No. 69! Ought to help us in the party school rankings.  

Editor did a great job analyzing our situation. But you can't put much stake in what SI says they have trouble finding us on the map. To-date, it feels as if we'll have to score 60 a game to hope to win, if what we're hearing about the defense holds up.