5 predictions for Arkansas in 2015
Can Arkansas meet preseason expectations as a Western Division contender? Will Brandon Allen come through in the clutch to lead the Razorbacks to notable victories over ranked teams? Does Arkansas have the depth defensively to tighten its grip down the stretch for a second straight year?
These are the primary questions heading into Bret Bielema’s third season, one Vegas oddsmakers expect to be his most successful in the SEC.
As we look into our own crystal ball concerning the Razorbacks, here are five things we think will happen:
5 predictions for Arkansas in 2015
5. Brandon Allen will lead the SEC in TD:INT ratio
Outside of Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott, I didn’t see a league quarterback make a more impressive leap forward during the offseason than Allen, who is entering his third season as the Razorbacks’ primary signal caller. A much-improved decision maker from the pocket, Allen led the West with a 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio last fall. With gunslingers steering the ships at Texas A&M, Mississippi State and Auburn and uncertainty at LSU, Ole Miss and Alabama, Allen’s a safe bet to post another productive season, this time under new OC Dan Enos.
4. The Razorbacks will be unbeaten, ranked inside Top 10 on Oct. 1
It’s hard to believe this team’s less than one year removed from snapping an embarrassing 17-game losing streak in SEC play. In his third season, Bret Bielema will be the early league coach of the year frontrunner at 4-0 and ranked somewhere in the No. 7-9 range heading to Knoxville for the Razorbacks’ fifth game this fall. Coming off impressive wins over Texas Tech and Texas A&M, Arkansas will look the part (at least early) as a league contender.
3. Total defense numbers will slip outside the SEC’s Top 5
Arkansas ranked near the top of the conference in nearly every defensive category as a unit last fall, but those numbers will decline this season following the departure of notable playmakers Martrell Spaight and Trey Flowers and a few reliable starters at the back end. There’s talent returning within the front seven, but the secondary — where Rohan Gaines’ position switch to the strong side to replace Alan Turner at safety is among the most important personnel changes — is under an intense microscope thanks to a mass exodus of veterans. Juniors Jared Collins and D.J. Dean will be leaned on to produce in place of corners Tevin Mitchel and Carroll Washington.
2. Arkansas will finish 1-3 in true road games during SEC play
Facing the second-toughest road slate in the conference this season, the Razorbacks’ play away from Fayetteville will ultimately determine this team’s fate in the Western Division. Not only will Arkansas battle probable Top 10s Alabama and Ole Miss on the road, it must travel to Knoxville and Baton Rouge as well. The margin for error’s slim and Robb Smith’s defense must perform at its highest level to avoid road destruction.
1. Hunter Henry will lead all SEC tight ends in catches, yards and touchdowns
He’s going to have competition from Evan Engram at Ole Miss and Georgia’s Jeb Blazevich, but Henry’s numbers will approach the nation’s best at the position resulting in a Mackey Award finalist distinction. Henry delivers the rare blend of blocking ability and superb hands not often found at the college level. He excels at finding the first down marker as Allen’s primary option on third down. With a heavier emphasis on throws to the tight end under a new play-caller, Henry’s production will soar. He may not be as athletic or quick as Engram or Alabama’s O.J. Howard, but Henry is arguably the SEC’s most reliable at his position from a three-down standpoint.
