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Arkansas Razorbacks Spring Game Report

Roger Gowens

Correspondent Written on April 20, 2009

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AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 27: Quarterback Tyler Wilson #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks passes the ball during the game against the Texas Longhorns on September 27, 2008 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 52-10. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

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Defensive coordinator Willy Robinson, who resembles a cross between Teddy Roosevelt and the Monopoly guy, believes his defense to be much improved this season. I would concur, but with last year's defensive unit being one of the poorest in Arkansas history, there is nowhere to go but up.

With freshmen and newcomers most likely being counted on in the secondary, it is my opinion that the Arkansas offense will have to win some high scoring shootouts to qualify for a bowl in 2009.

I believe they will do just that, but any prediction of more than seven wins might be overly optimistic.

Even though Ryan Mallett will have his ups and downs, other than Ole Miss' Jevan Snead or the guy at Florida, what SEC QB would most take over Mallett? I wouldn't choose any but Tebow over him.

2008's star transfer SEC QB, Jevan Snead had less experience coming into last season than Mallett currently has, and the rest of the league has a big question mark at the position.

There is good news/bad news concerning the 2009 schedule. Texas A&M at a neutral site, replacing Texas at Austin on the Hog's non conference schedule, is the good news. The bad news is Georgia rotating onto the SEC slate, replacing Kentucky.

To sum up, while 8-4 is a possibility if all the pieces fall into place, 7-5 is far more likely. A bowl victory in a non-BCS bowl would make an 8-5 season within reach for the 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks.

With most of the team returning for the 2010 season and another standout recruiting class, the Hogs could be poised to make a big step in another year, but I'll go with 7-5 for the 2009 regular season with a bowl victory making it 8-5.

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written on April 20, 2009 Preview/Prediction