My name is Joseph Morgan and I'll be breaking down each of the 2008 Florida Gators' opponents and making predictions game by game. Please feel free to give your input and make your opinions known throughout the series. I am happy to discuss the games.
Game Five vs. Arkansas, Oct. 4
Info: The Razorbacks had a successful 2007 season, which included eight wins, a second consecutive second-place finish for Darren McFadden in Heisman voting, and a wild 50-48 victory over eventual national champion LSU.
Unfortunately, Arkansas's season was marred by a bad ending, including an ugly split with head coach Houston Nutt and a 38-7 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
Offseason: The Razorbacks made a big splash in the offseason by hiring Bobby Petrino as their new head coach. Petrino left his former position as head coach of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons prematurely, resigning 13 games into his first season with Atlanta.
Petrino, better known for his success at Louisville, will bring a formidable passing offense to Arkansas and the Razorbacks should have a prolific offense as long as Petrino patrols the sidelines in Fayetteville.
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While Arkansas's offense will improve under Petrino's guidance, the Razorbacks will have to overcome the loss of their two-headed running back monster: Felix Jones and All-America running back Darren McFadden, the 22nd and fourth overall selections in the 2008 NFL Draft, respectively.
How Petrino and the Razorbacks adapt their offense to the loss of Jones and McFadden will determine Arkansas's success in 2008.
2008 Outlook: Arkansas heads into 2008 with a different attitude, but should be a decent squad. The Razorbacks return starting quarterback Casey Dick as well as four of their five starting offensive linemen from a year ago.
In addition, the Razorbacks return their entire defensive line and will enjoy the luxury of good depth on the defensive side of the ball.
Arkansas won't contend for an SEC West title in 2008, but don't be surprised if Bobby Petrino has a few tricks—and upsets—up his sleeve.
Game Prediction: Florida 45, Arkansas 24
While Arkansas will be adjusting to a new coaching staff and coping with the loss of McFadden and Jones, the Razorbacks will still put up a bunch of points.
In addition, Florida’s defense has improved, but I believe that they will show some vulnerability in their pass defense, the Gators’ Achilles heel during the 2007 campaign.
Despite some offensive fireworks from Arkansas, Urban Meyer and the Gators have one of the top offenses in the nation and should outscore the Razorbacks in this SEC shootout. Percy Harvin and the Florida receiving corps should have a big day and propel the Gators to another SEC victory.
Florida is now 5-0 and will face defending national champion LSU in “the Swamp” in their next matchup. Watch out for one of the best SEC games of the season.
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about 1 month ago
I'd guess that Arkansas' offense will struggle more than most people expect. They are changing to a vastly different scheme.
from about 1 month ago
That's a valid point and I believe that Arkansas's offense will struggle at first. However, I also believe that they will improve as the season goes on and that the Razorbacks will have a pretty good offense by the fifth or sixth game of the season. Thanks for the feedback and keep reading!
from about 1 month ago
Not to mention they only had one credible wide receiver last year, the injury plagued Marcus Monk, and he graduated.
Have a look at Arkansas' receiving numbers for last year: http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/2007/Internet/ranking_summary/2007000000031recv.html
The top guy was RB/utility man Peyton Hillis, who graduated, with 49 catches. Next was RB Darren McFadden, who left early, with 21 catches. Then it was a tie between NFL-bound RB Felix Jones and Monk with 16. The second-leading guy in yards with 203 was converted QB Robert Johnson, who graduated.
Casey Dick might turn out fine as a quarterback, but how are you going to tell when he has no one to throw to?
from about 1 month ago
Arkansas's departures did leave their receiving unit depleted, but I think that London Crawford and Reggie Fish have the potential to have breakout seasons for Arkansas. I could be right, I could be wrong.
Thanks for pointing that out though. I'm sure many people will have questions about who Casey Dick will be throwing to in 2008. Thanks for the feedback!
about 1 month ago
Arkansas is stacked at tight end. They have 2 All Americans there. Also, as you mentioned with McFadden, they like to throw to the RB's too and there were some decent ones backing up DMac and Jones. It's just that nobody knew it because Felix and DMac got all the press but Nutt could recruit darn good tailbacks. As far as receivers go, there was some young talent that came on board when Mustain and Malzahn were there (London Crawford, Crosby Tuck) because it temporarily appeared that Arkansas was going to move to a more pass-happy offense. These guys weren't developed much under the old regime but the Petrino regime has been putting a lot of time and effort into these guys.
The bottom line though is that I believe your score is going to be close to correct unless Arkansas gets a couple of turnovers or a kickoff return score or something that either keeps it close or keeps a lead most of the game which will then allow the crowd to get into it since it is a home game.
about 1 month ago
I would be really surprised if the hawgs could put up 24 - UF will not be giving up any easy points with an experienced offense that does not turn the ball over much and a kicker that had only 5 punts returned (for any yards) all year long. The UF defense line is stacked and the linebacker core is fast and Dick will have to get the ball off quick for that offense to function.
How many starters do the hawgs have coming back on their O-line?
about 1 month ago
The HOGS have three starters coming back on the O-line. The thing about the WR's stats is the old coaching staff never really threw the ball but, maybe 10 or 12 times a game and ran the ball 50+ times a game. There is good talent at the WR position just nobody knows what they can do.
The Razorbacks will surprize some teams this year (hopfully Texas) but the gators have more talent overall and there for should win. Then that's why they play the games.
about 1 month ago
I agree. Nice article. I think what really is going to determine how good this team is, is how quickly the D learns. After suspensions, we have almost no one to play line backer. The D line is strong, but we'll be hurting everywhere else.
I'll tell you guys how to replace the tandom (I don't like using that word because obviously you can't REPLACE DMac and Jones). As Hog fans should know, his name is DeAnthony Curtis. The kid will be good and should see some time as a freshman.
Also, petrino imporves our passing game, but don't be fooled. It's a balanced offense that runs the ball efficiently out of spread formations. Just because it's a spread doesn't mean your going to throw 4 times outta 5 times. (Didn't think anyone was saying otherwise. Just wanted to mention it.)
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