The Razorbacks’ schedule has a couple toss-up games that Arkansas needs to take advantage of.

It’s not about winning them all. A few would be nice for a first-year coach to gain confidence early. Going 0-fer is something no Razorbacks fan wants to see.

Arkansas has no shot at Auburn or against Alabama at home. Missouri, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas A&M are games the Razorbacks have a chance to steal. It’s not probable that they are going to win one, but it’s possible.

The back end of Arkansas’ schedule is not brutal compared to the middle. Chad Morris lucked having to play Vanderbilt as his first rotating crossover game. Similar to the Razorbacks, the Commodores will be one of the worst teams in the conference.

Arkansas does not need to win all of these to make a bowl game. At least two wins from these group of teams should secure the Razorbacks’ fate of going bowling.

Here are the five most important swing games Arkansas needs to win in 2018.

5. Missouri

Arkansas has not fared well in Columbia. Still, this could be a game Arkansas could snatch away from the Tigers. Drew Lock was No. 1 in a lot of conference categories last season including passing yards, yards per attempt, passing touchdowns and passing efficiency rating. He set the SEC record with 44 TD passes — throwing 5 against the Hogs.

Translation — the dude can chuck it. If that happens again, Arkansas has no shot in this matchup.

Winning the line of scrimmage will be crucial because Lock will make mistakes. In 2017, the tossed 13 interceptions, which was the most in the SEC, including two versus Arkansas. This could be the final game of the season for the Razorbacks, or the one that catapults them into a bowl game.

Just ask Texas coach Tom Herman how to get in Lock’s head.

4. North Texas

Mason Fine is a solid quarterback who most people have not heard of. Auburn is the following week, which could cause players to look past Week 3. Overlooking the Mean Green would be a massive mistake Morris can’t afford in Year 1.

Arkansas needs to win this game to start 3-0 in nonconference play. Dropping to 2-1 sets them up for no bowl appearance. Winning this game does not guarantee a future six wins, but they will all the confidence in the world heading into Auburn Week 4.

3. LSU

One of the benefits on not playing LSU the Friday after Thanksgiving is facing them the week after it plays Alabama. The Tigers have brushed off the losses and crushed Arkansas the past two years, but that trend will not likely hold up in Year 3. The pressure continues to mount on Ed Orgeron and could boil over playing Arkansas on the road this season.

Bobby Petrino managed to steal a rivalry win in the first year of his tenure. Morris will face what looks to be a stiffer Tigers team that Petrino beat in 2008. Is Morris a better coach than Orgeron? He can prove it during their first meeting of the “Golden Boot Rivalry.”

Nothing excites a team like playing a rival. The Arkansas coaching staff should use last season’s film as motivation.

2. Ole Miss

This game will be one of the best Arkansas will play all season. Ole Miss’ defense struggles and the same could be said about the Razorbacks if John Chavis does not come through. Scoring will be at a maximum.

Arkansas has found creative ways to win this game the past few years. Say what you want about Bret Bielema, but he came locked and loaded for the “Landsharks” game. Morris will need to muster up similar luck because a win against Ole Miss sets Arkansas up with confidence for the latter part of 2018.

Not only that, but the spectacle of the tailgating will be on full force. War Memorial might not be much of a venue, but the site produces some of the best outdoor parties in college football. Drinking beer and chowing down barbecue on a golf course has its benefits.

1. Texas A&M

This is one of the biggest games for both schools. At first glance, most Aggies’ fans won’t take a second look in who they play in Week 5. It should bring some level of concern.

You know the story — Arkansas has blown many of the games recently. New coaches, new matchup. Chuck all the history out the window.

If Texas A&M finds a way to choke this game away, Jimbo Fisher could be 2-3 in his first five games. No, his team is not going to beat Clemson or Alabama. Losing to Arkansas, a team the Aggies haven’t lost to since 2011, will not sit well in College Station.

Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports