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SEC Football: Four most overrated teams in preseason top 25

By Jake Wimberly

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Jul 15, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema speaks to media during SEC media days at the Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

3. Arkansas Razorbacks

  • Preseason SEC Rank: Tied for fifth overall, ranked fourth in the West
  • Preseason Top 25 Rank: 20
  • Last Year: Arkansas finished 7-6 and last in the SEC West

Arkansas won three of their final four ball games in 2014 and the lone loss was a seven-point defeat at Missouri. That finish, coupled with a near-win in Starkville against Mississippi State and a one-point loss to Alabama has Razorback fans everywhere thinking SEC Title.

Last year’s winning season was the Hogs first since the Bobby Petrino era back in 2011, so bowling, winning and momentum are beautiful things in Fayetteville. But the Hogs are still only 10-15 under Bret Bielema and have yet to come out of the SEC West cellar.

Arkansas very well may be the SEC West dark horse for 2015, but there are several factors that point to them again possibly finishing in the bottom of the SEC West.

Related: Arkansas Season Preview and Prediction

While the Hogs running game is one of the SEC’s best, it’s all on quarterback Brandon Allen’s shoulders to take this team to the next level and that is a tall task. Allen completed only 56 percent of his passes a year ago and the Hogs are 0-7 in one possession ball games with Allen at the helm. Arkansas must show they can win close ball games – something they have yet to do under Bielema.

Red Zone scoring is another hang up for this team while playing away from the friendly confines of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Hogs were 85 percent efficient in red zone scoring at home, but fell to just 70 on the road. The Hogs have to do better than that with scoring opportunities on the road.

Finally, their schedule is absolutely brutal and while their starting 22 is as good as most any in the league, it’s their depth that may not be there yet. Starting September 19 with Texas Tech, they play five straight power five opponents with a bye week before Auburn. Then after UT Martin it’s four more SEC opponents.

Three of the first five are on the road, and two of the last four. It’s is a men among boys schedule.

It will be a disappointment if: The Hogs again finish in the bottom of the SEC West. Everyone is patting Bret Bielema on the back right now, but if he were to again finish 6-6 or 5-7, you may hear Hog fans start chanting Whoo Pig Phooey.

Next: Ole Miss

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