Bret Bielema has the Razorbacks headed in the right direction entering his third season at the helm, but what’s the ceiling at Arkansas during the 2015 campaign?

Ten wins and a top-tier bowl berth sounds about right.

Led by a multi-year starter at quarterback, college football’s top 1-2 punch in the backfield and a resurgence defensively, the Razorbacks certainly have the personnel to challenge for the SEC’s Western Division this fall.

Arkansas was the league’s most impressive seven-win team last season after posting consecutive shutouts over nationally-ranked LSU and Ole Miss. Despite several draft casualties on defense, the Razorbacks expect to be just as dominant which will go a long way in determining the overall worth of this year’s squad.

Best case scenario SEC series

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

2014 record: 7-6, 2-6
2015 best case: 10-2, 6-2

Closer look: Imagine the intrigue if the Razorbacks are 5-0 and ranked inside the Top 10 heading into Tuscaloosa on Oct. 10? It’s feasible based on the way the schedule sets up with the only real challenge for Arkansas during the first month of the season coming against Texas A&M in Arlington. After the showdown SEC opener with the Aggies, the Razorbacks travel to Knoxville pre-Alabama. The second half of the slate, at least on paper, is more worrisome. Over the final six weeks after the team’s open date, SEC competition for Arkansas includes Auburn, Ole Miss, LSU, Mississippi State and Mizzou. Projecting out the Razorbacks’ wins and losses this fall game-by-game is probably the toughest challenge in the entire league considering how difficult it’s going to play out week-to-week.

Silver lining: Arkansas can take solace in the fact that it closes out the regular season with consecutive home games, a mini-luxury on a treacherous schedule. An unbeaten November would likely mean the Razorbacks are within a game — or leading — the Western Division with a shot at the league’s biggest prize. A strong finish has helped Mizzou conquer the other side of the conference the last two years and Arkansas is hoping for a similar storybook ending.