If you’re an Arkansas player or coach, are you asking “what if…”?

The Razorbacks are 5-5, and need a win over Ole Miss or Missouri to reach six wins and become bowl eligible. For weeks, we’ve heard that the Hogs are close, and that they can play with any team in the country.

It’s true. With a few different bounces of the ball, if Arkansas makes a play, Bret Bielema’s team is 8-2.

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Arkansas lost three games by a touchdown or less this season.

The Razorbacks led then-No. 6 Texas A&M 28-14 in the second half back in September, but a fourth quarter and overtime meltdown led to an Aggies comeback.

One week later, a missed extra point was the difference in a 14-13 loss to Alabama. Brandon Allen put together a late drive for Arkansas, but an interception would seal the win for the Crimson Tide.

Three weeks ago against Mississippi State, a goal line stand by the Bulldogs preserved the game and a 17-10 win.

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You won’t hear Bielema, or anyone around the program speculate. This team is happy to be 5-5, happy to have gotten its first win in conference play. Arkansas fans have continued to sell out games, and their support of Bielema’s program was evident in the wild scene on the field after the win over LSU last week.

This is a talented team, a team that could have at least eight wins, and be on pace for a nine or 10-win season.

The zero in the loss column for so long overshadowed how improved the Razorbacks really are, and understandably so. However, pulling back the layers, the Hogs are a top-15 team had they beaten Texas A&M, Alabama and Mississippi State.

In reality, though, Arkansas is a 5-5 football team. That’s who it is. There’s the old adage, “you’re only as good as your record,” and that’s true for the Razorbacks this season.

No one in Fayetteville is saying “what if.” Players and coaches know, however, they could have — perhaps should have — won those three games they lost by a combined 14 points.

I’ll say it, though.

What if Arkansas had continued to run the football well in the second half against Texas A&M?

What if a missed extra point had been made against the Crimson Tide?

What if Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams had gotten into the end zone in the final minutes against Mississippi State?

The Hogs are 8-2, and perhaps in the picture for an SEC West title and College Football Playoff berth.

Oh, what if…