SEC West Preview – Arkansas

We continue our weekly SEC football preview with the Arkansas Razorbacks. With head coach Bret Bielema entering the pivotal third year of his tenure, this is the year the Razorbacks could make their move to compete for the SEC crown, after coming close last season, yet so far away finishing with a record of 7-6.

Offense

The Hogs boast one of the best backfields in college football, mainly due to stud running backs Johnathan Williams and Alex Collins, both returning from dual 1100 yard rushing seasons last year. We all know Bret Bielema's forte is running the ball down their opponents' throats, so don't expect anything less than the same production from both Collins and Williams. Lining up in front of either Collins or Williams will be fullback Kody Walker, a big, bruising fullback who can actually run the rock when need be (Alabama fans can think of Walker as a Jalston Fowler type back). These three will be the staple for Bielema's offense, but don't think for a second that this will be it.

Last season, Arkansas possessed the biggest offensive line not just in college football, but in the world! They return four of their starters from last season, including big left tackle Dan Skipper, and the one new starter next season, Brian Wallace, actually redshirted last year sitting behind senior right tackle Brey Cook. Wallace's work with the scout team may not be the same as actual in-game reps, but at 6'6" and 316 lbs, he looks like he'll be able to fit in well enough.

Taking snaps this season will yet again be two year starter Brandon Allen. Allen comes in as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the SEC. While he may not be the most physically gifted player under center, Allen is a serviceable quarterback who doesn't make a ton of mistakes. His touchdown/interception ratio last year was 4:1, tossing 20 touchdowns and only five picks. Should he continue improving his play (especially his completion percentage, which was a below average 56%), watch for Arkansas to take more advantage of their passing game.

And of course, in order to have a successful passing game, a team needs receivers. The Hogs will no doubt implement a balanced passing attack yet again this season, as no receiver last year caught more than 43 passes. Leading receiver Keon Hatcher will lead the receiving corps in 2015, as the senior looks to build on his 556 yard six touchdown performance last year. Starting tight end for Arkansas will be Hunter Henry, 2014's second leading receiver. Lining up on the other side of the field from Hatcher will be sophomore Jared Cornelius, the 5'11" 195 lbs speedster.

Defense

Just like every other defense in the SEC, dominant play starts in the trenches, and Arkansas will prove to us all that they have one of the most underrated defensive lines in the conference. Luckily for SEC offenses, Darius Philon elected to enter the 2015 NFL Draft, and senior 2nd team SEC Trey Flowers has graduated, so that put a dent in the Razorbacks' D-line this season, but they won't lack for talent. One of the top players in the state of Arkansas in 2012, Tevin Beanum will make his first start at defensive end, with the job of replacing Flowers. While sitting behind Flowers, one has to assume that Beanum learned from one of the best, and will fit in fine for the Razorbacks' defense. JaMichael Winston, Taiwan Johnson, and DeMarcus Hodge seem to be the other three starters as of now for the Hogs.

The linebackers will not be led by first team SEC linebacker Martrell Spaight, as he has since graduated, and they also lost their strong-side linebacker Braylon Mitchell to graduation last year, so upper-class leadership will be an issue in the middle of the Hog defense. Junior Brooks Ellis will need to step up and be the leader at MLB, but he can also get some much needed help from fellow junior Josh Williams, as Williams may have to move either to the weak or strong side this year. Sophomore Dwayne Eugene backed up Spaight last season, so again, he seems to be the leader in the clubhouse at the strong side, but will probably play the opposite of Williams.

In the secondary, free safety Alan Turner and cornerback Carroll Washington graduated last year, two of their best defensive backs, but return senior Rohan Gaines at strong safety, but return 2014 four star recruit Henre' Toliver, as he played in 11 games at corner as a true freshman in 2014. If Toliver can live up to his potential, he has the tools to become one of the best corners in the SEC. On the other side at corner, junior D.J. Dean should get the nod, and at free safety will be either senior Davyon McKinney or sophomore Josh Liddell.

Special Teams

It's tough losing an entire unit, but that is exactly what the Razorbacks will be going through with their special teams units. Kicker John Henson, punter Sam Irwin-Hill, and long snapper Alan D'Appollonio graduated last year, so inexperience in the kicking game could prove detrimental for Arkansas this year, especially since they don't have the most explosive offense and must rely on managing games to win. Redshirt freshman Cole Hedlund will take the kicking responsibilities and junior Toby Baker will most likely make the starts at punter.

McMoney's Prediction

With four road games, the schedule sets up nicely for the Razorbacks (well, as nicely as you could want in the SEC). They have to travel to Tuscaloosa and Knoxville, and yes, I'm buying into the Tennessee hype. They also go the Ole Miss and LSU, and we all know that LSU has revenge on their minds after last year's shut out loss to the Hogs by the tune of 17-0. I see them losing three of those four road games, and dropping the game late match-up with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. 8-4 is as good as this team can get, I think, and depending on how Auburn gels with new quarterback Jeremy Johnson, we could see the Hogs produce yet another 7-5 record.

But I'll go with 8-4.