BCS Rankings: Are the Arkansas Razorbacks an SEC West Dark Horse?

Last week, the first edition of the highly anticipated BCS rankings were released. The Arkansas Razorbacks have one loss on the season, but still managed to crack the top 10. The Razorbacks sit at No. 9 in the rankings and are the highest rated one-loss team, one spot above the Oregon Ducks.

The college football community holds the Razorbacks in high regard, but does that mean they are a dark horse in the SEC West? The short answer is yes.

The Razorbacks are currently fourth in the SEC West behind Auburn, LSU and Alabama. The Razorbacks' one loss on the season was at the hands of the Crimson Tide, but they still have a shot to pull out the West title.

The Hogs already trounced Auburn by the final score of 38-14. The Tigers have to play against LSU today, and if they lose that game, the Hogs would already be in a position to leap over Auburn in the standings.

LSU is one of the top-ranked teams in the country, and the Hogs visit the Tigers in the last game of the season. This game could make or break the entire season for Arkansas. The Hogs could have the chance to get national recognition by beating a top team in the country, and a win could mean a SEC West title.

Since the Razorbacks lost to Alabama, jumping over the Tide in the standings could be the biggest hurdle. The Tide will host LSU in the biggest game of the college football season and have potential pitfalls in games at Mississippi State and against Auburn in the Iron Bowl.

Bobby Petrino has the Razorbacks ready to become a mainstay on the national stage. This all starts by challenging for the SEC West title and winning big games in conference. Although they have one loss on the season, there is no reason to believe that the Hogs are not a dark horse in the competitive SEC West.

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail]. Follow him on Twitter here