Arkansas Football: 10 off-the-Wall Predictions for the Razorbacks in 2011
The college football season is quickly approaching and the Arkansas Razorbacks have plenty to get excited about. The Razorbacks are loaded for the upcoming season and have the potential to have a stellar season.
One of the exciting things about college football is that anything can happen—surprises are bound to arise. Here are 10 off-the-wall predictions for the Razorbacks in 2011.
Brey Cook Starts as a Freshman
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Brey Cook is an offensive lineman that will get the rare privilege of being a starter as a freshman.
Cook is massive up front and has fit in perfectly into the Razorbacks' scheme. He came to school early to get familiar with the system, and the work has paid off.
According to Rivals.com, Cook was ranked as the 12th best offensive tackle in the nation and was heavily recruited by several schools. The Hogs won the war and signed Cook and it will pay off immediately in 2011.
Arkansas Will Have a 2-QB System
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The heir apparent to Ryan Mallett is Tyler Wilson.
Wilson played last year and so far has the edge on Brandon Mitchell. Wilson filled in admirably for Mallett when he went down with an injury, and some expect that he could eventually be just as good as Mallett with the Hogs.
However, in the spirit of competition, Head Coach Bobby Petrino has yet to name a starter.
That is because Petrino is high on Brandon Mitchell. Mitchell is more mobile in the pocket and has an excellent deep ball. Mitchell looked rusty in the spring game, throwing three interceptions, but he will earn some serious playing time under center this year for the Razorbacks.
Razorbacks Have 4 Wide Receivers with over 700 Yards
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The Razorbacks boast one of the most talented wide receiving stables in college football.
Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright and Coby Hamilton racked up at least 600 yards each receiving a year ago and will be hard to contain for opposing defenses.
Tight End D.J. Williams left for the NFL and this will give the wide receivers more chances to gain yards with big catches. Look for a banner year for the quartet of talented pass-catchers as the Razorbacks take the country by storm.
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Bobby Petrino is Coach of the Year
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Bobby Petrino is doing great work in Arkansas, and this year he will get recognized for it on a national stage. Petrino already brought the Razorbacks to their first BCS Bowl, and if he can follow that up with another successful year after losing Ryan Mallett to the draft, he will be noticed.
Petrino recently signed a contract that will pay him an average of $3.56 million per season that is loaded with incentives. Those incentives will pay off this year when Petrino is named Coach of the Year.
Razorbacks Win At Alabama
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The Razorbacks had Alabama on the ropes last season in Arkansas, as they led 17-7 at halftime. The Crimson Tide rallied to defeat the Hogs behind the running of Mark Ingram and a solid defensive effort, outscoring the Hogs 10-0 in the fourth quarter.
This is a new year and the Hogs will be ready for revenge when they head to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide. The experience on the Razorbacks' roster and the improvements on defense will lead to a stellar upset against Alabama.
Knile Davis Wins the Heisman Trophy
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Knile Davis will become a household name in 2011.
Last year Davis rushed for over 1,300 yards and became the go-to-guy on the Razorbacks' offense. What makes those numbers even more impressive is that Davis did not have more than six carries in the first four games of the season. Davis finished the year on a high note and will pick up where he left off in 2010.
With a new quarterback in the fold, Davis will be expected to carry the offense, and the end result will be huge numbers and an invitation to the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
The Razorbacks win the SEC West
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The Razorbacks main competition in the SEC West this year will undoubtedly come from Alabama and LSU.
The Razorbacks have the difficult task of playing both teams on the road, but last year the Hogs proved they could win on the highway, beating both Georgia and South Carolina.
The Razorbacks have the potential to win both games, but even a split could be good enough to take the title in the SEC West.
The Razorbacks win the SEC
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If the Razorbacks can win the SEC West, then they have a very good chance of winning the SEC championship game.
The SEC East looks to be very weak outside of South Carolina, and that will leave the door open for the Razorbacks to win the conference.
Razorbacks go undefeated in the SEC
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This might be one of the most daunting obstacles for the Razorbacks, as the SEC is always loaded with talent. The toughest games in their way to achieve this goal are road games at LSU and Alabama.
The Hogs play South Carolina, Auburn and Tennessee at home, and Mississippi State at Little Rock. Road games at Ole Miss and Vanderbilt should be victories and that could lead to a very special season.
The Razorbacks Win a BCS Bowl Game
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The Razorbacks have the tools to return to and win a BCS Bowl game.
Last year the Razorbacks were a scooped blocked punt away from beating Ohio State, and that experience will come in handy if they return to the big stage.
The Razorbacks not only have the chance to win a BCS bowl game, but they could vie for the National Championship in 2011.
The Razorbacks are stocked with enough experience, talent and skill players that they just might bring home the national championship in 2011.
Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist. Feel free to contact Matt at mregaw@gmail.com.
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