2009 Arkansas Razorbacks College Football Predictions

2009 Arkansas Razorbacks Predictions
2008 Record: (5-7, 2-6)
Coach: Bobby Petrino, 2nd year (5-7 at Arkansas, 46-16 overall)
Off. Coordinator: Paul Petrino (2nd year)
Def. Coordinator: Willy Robinson (2nd year)
Returning Starters: 17 (7 offense, 9 defense, kicker)
Ret. Starting Quarterback: No

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Offense: The Razorbacks return seven from a unit that produced just 21.9ppg (91st in the nation) last year. The key will be the quarterback and looks like sophomore transfer Ryan Mallett (6-7, 248), a huge signal-caller from Michigan will take over. He has a big arm and the ability to go deep, which should well-suit their receivers along with offensive coordinator Paul Petrino. The best receiver may be junior TE D.J. Williams (6-2, 251), who caught 61 receptions for 723 yards and three TDs. At running back, they have one of the best in the SEC in senior Michael Smith (5-7, 176), a burner who rushed for 1,072 yards, 5.2ypc and eight TDs. Up front, they return three of five starers though they lose All-American Jonathan Luigs. Junior DeMarcus Love (6-5, 305) will move from guard to right tackle, while senior Mitch Petrus (6-4, 315), who was ineligible in 2007, will move back to starting left guard.

Defense: The defense returns nine starters from a unit that allowed a whopping 31.2ppg (93rd in the nation) and 375.2 yards per game (72nd in the nation). Up front, they return all four starters from a unit that needs to step up. The anchor is All-SEC tackle Malcolm Sheppard (6-2, 280), who recorded 6.5 sacks last year. They also return all three starting linebackers including sophomore Jerry Franklin (6-1, 237), who recorded 87 tackles. They have to replace three starters in the secondary and could end up with freshman corners Darius Winston and David Gordon in the rotation if the older guys can’t get the job done. Junior Isaac Madison is the only returning starter at corner and is coming off a strong spring.

Outlook: The Razorbacks open with Missouri State in Little Rock, and also face Texas A&M in Arlington Texas along with Troy and Eastern Michigan at home. It’s a strange non-conference schedule, though the conference slate is very tough with road games at Ole Miss, Florida and LSU, which is absolutely brutal. Arkansas should be a bowl team, but not much more with this tough schedule.

This SEC conference prediction is courtesy of the ATS Sports Blog. If you are looking for winning college football betting picks be sure to choose ATS Consultants this year, A featured sports handicapping service on Touthouse.com