Arkansas vs. LSU: Which Program Is More Likely to Top the Polls in 2012?

When the 10-1 (6-1 SEC) No. 3 Arkansas Razorbacks take on the 11-0 (7-0 SEC) No. 1 LSU Tigers in the battle for the Golden Boot today, national title aspirations hang in the balance. Whoever wins this game will take the front row seat in the BCS title talk on Sunday.

Looking a little deeper at both squads however, one thing is obvious—these two teams are not going anywhere in the near future. Expect the Tigers and Razorbacks to be battling for the top spot again next season.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas only has 20 seniors on its roster and will lose the majority of its receiving corps after this season, but the Razorbacks will return Tyler Wilson, assuming he doesn’t make the early jump to the NFL, and the bulk of their offensive line and running backs.

The Razorbacks also only lose five starters on the defense to graduation with the second string talent seeing the field often this season. Injuries across the defensive line have forced underclassmen into more action than expected, but that has grown the depth for the future for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas will be a contender in both the SEC west and on the national stage in 2012. Bobby Petrino has done well to restock his talent consistently and the Razorbacks have nowhere to go but up with the youth that is scattered throughout the lineup.

LSU Tigers

LSU is in a very similar situation with its talent across the board. The Tigers also have 20 seniors on their roster for 2011, but the majority of the contributors on the field are not seniors. LSU will return the majority of its offense, only losing two offensive linemen and their starting quarterbacks.

The Tigers defense will have to replace their starters at the linebacker position, but every other position will be shored up by players with a wealth of experience. The Tigers are also going to stay in the title picture both in the SEC and nationally as next year comes around.

It definitely appears as if the Tigers will be battling the Razorbacks for more than just a rivalry trophy next season as well.

Who Ranks Higher in 2012?

With both teams returning the bulk of their contributors it will be a tough argument to separate these two teams. National perception for next season will rely heavily on how these two teams finish this year. A win today will go a long way in determining preseason rankings for next season.

The Tigers are likely to be the more highly ranked of the two heading into 2012, possibly at the top, but the separation will be slim. Look for both teams to be in the Top 10 to start 2012 as both will garner a ton of national attention and respect.

For those that are growing weary of the SEC power play that has got a strangle hold on college football, you are in for a lengthy disappointment as the conference continues to reload.