Arkansas Razorbacks Spring Game Report

Following a day of steady rain and gloomy skies, the sun came out long enough for the Arkansas Razorbacks to complete their 15th and final practice of the 2009 spring—the annual Red-White game.

Shortly after the game concluded, the skies opened up yet again with more rain, thunder, and lightning.

The question Razorback fans are now asking is; after a gloomy 5-7 mark in 2008, will the sun shine on the Hogs in the 2009 campaign or will it be more of the same?

As hard as it is to evaluate a team in an intra-squad game, especially when the starters are playing against second and third teamers, my guess is that the sun will break out from between the clouds, but with intermittent showers.

The Razorbacks' much maligned offensive line, which allowed the second most sacks among college football's highest division in 2008, was of particular interest in the scrimmage. With starters Jose Valdez and Jonathon Luigs moving on, how the reshuffled line will block in 2009 is one of the most hotly discussed topics in the Natural State.

The answer? It's inclusive at this point. While the line was singled out for praise for their pass blocking by head coach Bobby Petrino, the run blocking struggled for much of the night.

While it could be that the defensive line is greatly improved, Hog fans certainly hope so after watching opponents often gouge Arkansas on the ground in 2008, it is my feeling that the offensive line will take a few games to get acclimated to the new lineup.

All of the starters have played a lot, but most at different positions to the ones where they now ply their trade. As Petrino noted at the end of the 2008 season, many of the 40-some sacks yielded were a result of receivers not being on the same page as the QB. Numerous others were due to former signal caller Casey Dick holding the ball too long.

With all the top pass catchers from 2008 returning, the chemistry in the passing game should be much improved.

Rocket-armed Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett will be in the pocket for the Hogs, so the ball should get to the wideouts much quicker. Hog fans hope that Mallett's decision making will be quicker than that of Dick, as well.

Ryan Mallett can make throws that recent Razorback quarterbacks could only dream of. In fact, other than Mitch Mustain who stayed at UA for only one season, one would have to go all the way back to Joe Ferguson in the early 70's to find a passer on the Hill with the arm and overall passing skills of Mallett.

However, in the Red-White game Saturday night, Mallett made a couple of shaky decisions he will need to avoid in SEC play. Tyler Wilson of Greenwood, AR had some good moments under center, but it is the feeling among most that Mallett will be the starter in the fall.

On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary was undressed at times, as in 2008. Highly touted freshmen Darius Winston and David Gordon will almost certainly play early and often, along with a trio of junior college additions at the safety positions.

Almost the entire defensive front seven has added pounds and strength following what was a successful offseason, according to media reports from strength and conditioning coach Jason Veltkamp, a man not known for hype.

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.