Coach Bret Bielema built things up nicely last season in Fayetteville, and though the Razorbacks were tough to handle for a lot of teams, they didn't have the kind of campaign they had hoped for. This year, it's going to be much tougher to do damage in the league, especially coming out of a loaded SEC West. But Bielema will do enough to get his team to a bowl game and set up another quality couple of seasons. But this year won't be what the Arkansas faithful want.
Arkansas Razorbacks Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Razorbacks Over 7.5 Wins -120
Razorbacks Under 7.5 Wins +100
2015 ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS SEASON REVIEW
It might not seem like it, but Arkansas is improving under Bret Bielema. The program needed to completely rebuild, reload, and reposition itself after the fallout from the Bobby Petrino fiasco, and under Bielema it went from three wins in 2013, to seven in 2014, to eight last year, but that’s not quite enough in the impatient world of the SEC.
Losing to Toledo and Texas Tech on the way to a 2-4 start had some suggesting Bielema was on a hot seat, but a miracle against Ole Miss, a dominant performance against a reeling LSU, and some big offensive performances turned things around with a 6-1 finish for the school’s best season since 2011.
The Hogs never had a chance last year thanks to the schedule with road games against Tennessee, Alabama, Ole Miss and LSU. It just so happened that they won three of those four, but the rocky start ruined the fun.
WHAT CHANGED
First, the offensive identity needs to return. After winging it around the yard throughout last season, the Hogs should go back to more of a power game with huge running backs running behind a huge line to control games and the tempo. Enough of the receivers return to keep the air show going at times, too.
Arkansas played last season without star running back Jonathan Williams, and he's gone to the NFL along with stud backfield mate Alex Collins, who bolted before his final season. Regardless, Bielema always has big-time running backs, and there are several potential heirs. Rawleigh Williams especially has huge upside.
2016 ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Sep. 3: vs. Louisiana Tech
Sep. 10: at TCU
Sep. 17: vs. Texas State
Sep. 24: at Texas AM
Oct. 1: vs. Alcorn State
Oct. 8: vs. Alabama
Oct. 15: vs. Mississippi
Oct. 22: at Auburn
Nov. 5: vs. Florida
Nov. 12: vs. LSU
Nov. 19: at Mississippi State
Nov. 26: at Missouri
2016 ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS SEASON PREVIEW
Bielema’s squad has been a tough out in each of the last two seasons. The problem is, last year seemed to be their best chance at making a run at the West title and this year is a bit of a rebuilding year as they lose both their multiple year starting quarterback and running back.
Austin Allen takes over for his brother Brandon, but Austin has thrown just 19 career passes and attempted three all of last season. At the running back spot, workhorse Collins is gone. The two returning leaders in rushing are Kody Walker and Williams who combined for 648 yards on 146 carries last season.
On defense there’s plenty of returning talent with nine starters back from a unit that allowed just 116 yards per game rushing last season. The group should be just as stingy this year which would help an offense that is likely to take a step back from last year from a production standpoint.
The best news for Razorbacks fans trying to make a case for their team reaching eight wins is that they get most of their toughest conference games at home. And their road games are winnable. Their farthest trip is to Auburn. If they Hogs are going to make a run at 10 wins and relevance under Bielema, this would be the year.
College Football Odds: Arkansas Razorbacks Under 7.5 Wins
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