OVERVIEW
So what can we say that hasn't already been said this week about Arkansas? What you think of this team basically boils down to what you think about the defense. If it sounds like a bit of rut for those reading the blog, well it is. But that also happens to be because it's the only real question about this team.
Ryan Mallett, I believe, will be the quarterback that everyone expects him to be. Heisman talk is probably a bit premature, but he has a chance to be one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He has to be the favorite to be the best signal-caller in the league. And if they don't go to the SEC Championship Game, Mallett might just give every defensive coordinator bad news and follow through with his statement at SEC Media Days that left open the door for returning again in 2011. Of course, that's before he's had millions of dollars put on the table, so we'll see soon enough if he's Vince Young or Tim Tebow when it comes to his senior year, if not in his foot speed.
For all the quips I make about Bobby Petrino coaching with one foot out the door -- and he's earned each and every one of them -- you can't deny that the man is a whale of an offensive football coach. As long as he's your football coach, you're going to have a great offense. It's the first part that's the catch.
So it comes down to the defense and how good it will be ... and how good it needs to be. Let's face it, there are three offenses in the SEC that we know are going to be good this year -- Alabama, Arkansas and Florida -- and another in Auburn that we're pretty sure is going to be good. It won't be difficult to keep Georgia out of the end zone early in the season and it's conceivable that -- unless South Carolina or LSU see the renaissances they're hoping for -- the Razorbacks might not face a competitive offense between playing Auburn on Oct. 16 and the end of the season.
Here's saying the defense does just enough for a solid season.
SEASON RESULTS
Place: 2nd in the SEC West
Record: 10-2, 6-2 SEC
Could be: 7-5 to 12-0
Best chance to be upset (aside from obvious): LSU
Bowl: Capital One Bowl
GAME-BY-GAME
9.4.10 | TENNESSEE TECH | WIN
9.11.10 | LOUISIANA-MONROE | WIN
9.18.10 | at GEORGIA | POSSIBLE WIN
9.25.10 | ALABAMA | POSSIBLE LOSS
10.9.10 | vs. TEXAS A&M | POSSIBLE WIN
10.16.10 | at AUBURN | POSSIBLE WIN
10.23.10 | OLE MISS | POSSIBLE LOSS
10.30.10 | VANDERBILT | LIKELY WIN
11.6.10 | SOUTH CAROLINA | POSSIBLE WIN
11.13.10 | UTEP | WIN
11.20.10 | at MISSISSIPPI STATE | POSSIBLE WIN
11.27.10 | LSU | POSSIBLE WIN