SEC Football Q&A: What Should Arkansas' Expectations Be Under John L. Smith?

Every Thursday on The SEC Blog, we will feature questions from the B/R inbox, Twitter and email. Do you have a question for next week's Q&A? Send it to SEC Lead Blogger Barrett Sallee via the B/R inbox, on Twitter @BarrettSallee or at [e-mail].

From Tim Stidham (@tjstidham14) on Twitter: What are realistic expectations for Hog fans under John L Smith?

It shouldn't change one bit from the expectations Hog fans had under Bobby Petrino—a national championship. Arkansas was deserving of a top 5 ranking last season, and getting running back Knile Davis back in that backfield should stabilize the running game and take some pressure off of quarterback Tyler Wilson and an inconsistent offensive line. The Marquel Wade arrest certainly hurts that receiving corps, but Cobi Hamilton and tight end Chris Gragg should be stars. 

Arkansas was good under Petrino, and has the chance to be great this season with or without him. It's not the Xs and the Os, it's the Jimmys and the Joes. Petrino was great at developing talent, and that is what will benefit the Hogs in 2012.

From Michael Huber (@mh4375) on Twitter: Think they are waiting to see how Malzahn fares at ASU? Is he an option in 2013 after John L [Smith] wears out his welcome?

I'm not so sure Smith will wear out his welcome; if he does, Gus Malzahn will certainly be an option for Arkansas.

Malzahn is obviously familiar with the area, but I'm not so sure he's the right man for the job. He was one of the biggest reasons why Auburn's offense finished No. 100 out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams in total offense last season. Opposing defensive coordinators figured him out, and—more importantly—figured out how he adjusts. 

Arkansas would be better served by avoiding hiring a coach that would implement a scheme change.

From Ricky Bernard (@cajun0720ricky) on Twitter: What's your take on [Zach] Mettenberger?

He's the one missing piece to the LSU championship puzzle. If he can just establish the threat of a downfield passing game—something that was non-existent last season—it will be all LSU needs to hoist the crystal football.

I did this video for Bleacher Report a few weeks ago with more thoughts on Zach Mettenberger's outlook in 2012.

From Bryant Roberts (@bdroberts816) on Twitter: Which new coordinator will have biggest impact in W/L column for his new team?

By virtue of last season's 7-6 record, I'll go with new Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease. 

Florida should be able to get to seven or eight wins in the regular season, so a bowl game could conceivably put them at nine wins. Charlie Weis was a total disaster in Gainesville, and Pease should be able to turn around an offense that finished No. 10 in the SEC in 2011 with 328.7 yards per game.

The quarterback battle is ongoing, but sophomores Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel both calmed the fears of Gator Nation this spring.

Auburn defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will probably make the biggest impact out of the new coordinators on the field, but the Tigers won't improve much record-wise—which means that he can't be the answer to your question.

From Chadd Scott (@ChaddScott) of ChuckOliver.net on Twitter: Who will be biggest impact JUCO player?

My pick is Mississippi State defensive end Denico Autry from East Mississippi Junior College. He's a 6'5", 250-pound monster. Fox Sports' National Scouting Director Scott Kennedy told Bleacher Report's Full Ride that Autry has the talent to be one-and-done in Starkville.

He's that good.

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