Arkansas Football: 5 Reasons Hogs Will Contend in SEC Without Bobby Petrino

The Arkansas Razorbacks have made national news for all the wrong reasons. Bobby Petrino was terminated from his job as head coach at Arkansas after lying to the school about an affair with one of his recently hired staff members, Jessica Dorrell. 

Despite the recent heartbreak of Razorback fans nationwide for losing a such a winning coach, there is still hope on the horizon. The Hogs have quite the talented team returning, and should still make some noise. 

Here are the five reasons why you shouldn't count the Arkansas Razorbacks just yet. 

The Offense Is Second to None

The best offense in the SEC won't skip a beat even with Petrino out of the picture. Paul Petrino will most likely stay as offensive coordinator for now, so the offense will look the same as it did in the Cotton Bowl victory over K-State. 

Knile Davis, the Hogs' (and maybe the SEC's) best running back, will return in 2012 after missing all of last season with an ankle injury. Davis, combined with Ronnie Wingo Jr. and Dennis Johnson, will run all over the SEC. 

Despite losing wide receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams, the receiving corps should still be impressive, with many guys like Cobi Hamilton ready to step up and fill their shoes. The offensive line should be better than last year now that it's a more mature bunch. 

Petrino had more horses in the stable on offense than probably any other team in the SEC, and they will still get to run free all over defenses come September. 

Paul Haynes Will Prove His Worth

The Razorbacks handed defensive duties to Paul Haynes from Ohio State, and the defensive coordinator is eager to show his ability.

Linebackers coach Taver Johnson is listed as the interim head coach until the spring game April 21, which should give the defense a good feeling after taking the back seat to the offense for the past few years. 

In a league stacked with defensive powerhouses like LSU and Alabama, Haynes and company will hold their own and establish the Hogs' defense as one of the best in the conference.

It appears they are looking to get bigger and stronger all over the field by moving around guys Tenarius Wright to linebacker. 

Tyler Wilson Is Ready to Shine

After a 2011 season that earned him first-team all SEC honors, Tyler Wilson is back for his senior season and ready for more. He is looking to build on his Razorback career that includes 4378 yards and 31 touchdowns, and should have a monster season.

There are plenty of weapons at his disposal, including Knile Davis, Chris Gragg and Cobi Hamilton 

Doesn't Matter Who Is HC

Whatever Jeff Long decides to do, whether it be to stick it out with an interim head coach or hire someone new, Hogs fans are standing behind his decisions. 

Depending on how or if they make any big changes, the players are all still there. If anyone is out to prove the nation wrong amidst a scandal, the Hogs would be the best bet. 

Regardless of who is coach when the season starts, the team will be primed and ready for an SEC championship, and maybe even a national championship run. 

Hogs Will Finally Break Through

Before Petrino was fired, many believed 2012 was the year Arkansas would contend with the best. They are hosting both Alabama and LSU at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium for the first time since in nearly 20 years. 

The Hogs have improved every season, going 10-3 in 2010 and 11-2 last season with a No. 5 national ranking. This could be the year they beat Alabama and finally win the always hard-fought SEC West. 

It certainly gives the Hogs a better chance against the SEC's best. Could this be the year the Hogs break through?