Arkansas Football Preview Predictions and Schedule 2011
When you finish the season 10-3, and you’re 3 losses are to Alabama, Auburn and Ohio State, you know you’ve done something right. Especially when two of those losses, to Alabama and Ohio State were by 4 and 5 points. Throw in the fact that star QB Ryan Mallett went down with an injury in the other loss, to Auburn, and you have the makings for one of the top teams in the Nation.
Arkansas will have to replace Mallett, no easy task, but most of the rest of the pieces are still in place from a year ago, iNCluding most of their running backs and receivers. Many also believe new QB Tyler Wilson will fill those big shoes of Mallet’s just fine. Offense wasn’t a problem last year and won’t be a problem this year. Offense is never a problem when Bobby Petrino is your head coach. The overlooked unit on this team is their defense which was ranked 36th overall in 2010.
Playing in the SEC always takes it’s toll. Arkansas plays in the SEC West. There are no cream puffs. They must deal with LSU (11-2), Alabama (10-3), Auburn (14-0) and Miss State (9-4). Two of those Games, LSU and Alabama are on the road. As much talent as this team has, they will have their hands full just competing for the SEC West title. It takes a perfect record to contend for a National Title and with a rugged Schedule like theirs, we won’t be going out on any limbs predicting that fate for Arkansas. It could happen. But it’s not likely.
The Razorbacks should start out the year 3-0 before heading to TUSCaloosa for a revenge affair with Alabama on September 24th, which should set the stage for the rest of the way. Should Arkansas pull the upset, one could make a case for them staying undefeated the rest of the way making for a showdown with LSU on November 25th, the last Game of the season. Certainly, from a betting standpoint, circle the Alabama Game. Likewise, circle October 8th when they host Auburn and get a chance to avenge their worst loss of last season, a 65-43 Cam Newton special. It could be a long day for Auburn on October 8th!
Arkansas has everything in place with the exception of an experieNCed QB. If Tyler Wilson can handle the load, there’s no reason Arkansas can’t contend for an SEC title. With a break here and there, who knows. Dare to dream. This is a 10 win team and a major bowl participant.
We’ve seen Arkansas listed at odds of 30/1 to win the BCS Title which could very well be one heck of a barGAin price.
2011 University of Arkansas Football Schedule
Sept. 3 Missouri State
Sept. 10 New Mexico (Little Rock)
Sept. 17 Troy
Sept. 24 at Alabama
Oct. 1 Texas A&M (Arlington, Texas)
Oct. 8 Auburn
Oct. 15 Open
Oct. 22 at Ole Miss
Oct. 29 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 5 South Carolina
Nov. 12 Tennessee
Nov. 19 Mississippi State (Little Rock)
Nov. 25 at LSU