FAYETTEVILLE – Bullish. That’s the general consensus on the feeling surrounding the Arkansas football team.

There isn’t a soul on Earth, it seems, who thinks the Razorbacks are going to have a worse record than last year’s 6-6 (7-6 after a bowl win), nevermind anyone who thinks they’re going to be a worse team overall.

There are questions, though. Not many, granted, but some. With a fifth-year quarterback and loads of experience elsewhere, you know what you’re going to get with Arkansas mostly.

But those inquiries that remain, some will be answered fully Saturday against UTEP. Some we’ll only get a glance at the Hogs’ response.

Here are the five things we expect to learn, in varying degrees, when Arkansas opens its season Saturday at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium.

What is the ‘Dan Enos Look?’

What, pray tell, is the first-year Arkansas offensive coordinator bringing to the fold? The question has been asked since his arrival in January. With a fifth-year quarterback – and third-year starter – already in tow, it is arguably the biggest philosophical question the Razorbacks face. If Allen’s experience and composure are to be trusted, and everyone seems to agree they are, then the offense won’t look dramatically different than exited coordinator Jim Chaney’s. It will, though, be, at least, distinguishable. The most notable difference through the fall and spring was the inclusion of more screen passes, not only to the running backs, but to the wide receivers, as well.

What is going to be the load share?

Coach Bret Bielema has maintained since senior running back Jonathan Williams’ season-ending foot injury in the team’s first scrimmage of fall that No. 1B (now No. 1A) tailback Alex Collins’ workload wouldn’t increase all that much. Collins ran 204 times last year while Williams hauled it 210. The anticipation, Bielema said, is Kody Walker and Rawleigh Williams III will, by some undetermined distribution, split those 210 missing ones. A real answer to the question as to what the carry breakdown will be won’t come until SEC play begins, but Saturday should give a better picture, anyway.

Is there true depth?

It may be a knock to those watching Arkansas from afar. But it’s arguably the strength of the entire team up close. The Razorbacks’ defensive line is one Bielema has called the deepest he’s ever coached. That’s not mild praise from a coach who had NFL superstar J.J. Watt on of his previous units. Arkansas can, at a minimum, run eight different competent linemen into any formation. It’s possible a pair of others could see more than a couple snaps per game, too. And it isn’t that the unit is merely adequate. There is real potential for serious impressions along the front. It’s unlikely the Hogs have a player among the SEC sack leaders, but as a whole, there doesn’t appear to be many more with the depth of talent.

Coming along fast or just running along fast?

When Dominique Reed was signed out of junior college Bielema called him the team’s top priority. Not many around the program believed it. The thought was Reed was a silver medal to K.J. Hill, the in-state product who bolted for Ohio State. Because of those words, expectation on Reed is high. Through fall camp he showed signs. His speed is remarkable. He looks, quite literally, like a gazelle. He takes long strides and his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame is in need of bulking. In space the weight won’t matter. And Reed has already shown, against one of the better secondaries in the SEC, during fall he can win jump balls in the air despite his relative lack of strength. Coaches, probably, are hoping for more than second-team with an “or” caveat on the depth chart. That’s where Reed landed post-fall camp. What he does against non-Razorbacks bears watching.

Strength or weakness?

Questions abound at literally all four of the primary special teams positions. Cole Hedlund has won the placekicking job. Toby Baker is the punter. Eric Hawkins will be the primary kick returner. And Jared Cornelius will handle the punt returning. Between the four of them there are zero career kicks and punts, eight kick returns and nine punt returns. Special teams aren’t lacking. They’re also not showing out. They just exist right now. Baker won’t get a lot of work, probably, given the 33-point spread, but perhaps some late in the game when Arkansas puts in its reserves. Hedlund largely the same and Hawkins, too. Cornelius, who showed serious potential in his punt returning duties last year will get the most. If nothing else, though, it is a peek as to what the Razorbacks will offer across the board.