SEC Football: Is Arkansas a dark-horse contender to win the conference?
Alabama is the overwhelming favorite to repeat as SEC football champs but, as a less obvious choice, is Arkansas capable of winning the conference?
LSU and Auburn are still contenders to win the SEC, but there is another less-popular pick which nobody seems to be talking about in Arkansas.
Kentucky is another dark-horse candidate in the SEC because the Wildcats play in the East and return a wealth of experience.
Admittedly, a friend suggested Arkansas as a less-obvious dark-horse candidate and the suggestion makes a lot of sense for a few different reasons. Arkansas is still a long shot but capable of competing if certain things fall into place.
Improved defense
A big key to the success of Arkansas’ season rests in the hands of new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. He’s already familiar with the roster after serving as the defensive backs coach in 2016.
More from Arkansas Razorbacks
- Ranking the top 15 college football starting quarterbacks for 2023
- Arkansas football: 3 bold predictions for 2023 season
- Arkansas football: 3 breakout candidates for the 2023 season
- Arkansas football: 3 reasons to buy stock in Razorbacks in 2023
- Ryan Mallett: The Life And Legacy Of An Arkansas Legend
Rhoads previously served as head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones. Prior to his time in Ames, he had a successful stint as defensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Panthers. He will help the team transition to a 3-4 defensive front. The move came after the Razorbacks’ defense struggled to stop the run, specifically spread offense — they allowed 39 rushing touchdowns, the most in the FBS last season.
The defensive coordinator should have enough talent to build a strong secondary, although the Razorbacks are thin up front. It’s no fluke the team struggled against the run last season. That being said, a 3-4 defense historically fares better against the run in the college ranks.
If Rhoads can turn the defense around in short order, the offense is capable of hanging with SEC favorites like Alabama, LSU and Auburn.
Austin Allen’s return
Arkansas has the best quarterback in the SEC and offensive coordinator Dan Enos saw improvement out of Austin Allen this spring and throughout the offseason, noting he improved his footwork, mechanics and decision-making.
The Razorbacks lost a lot of talent at wide receiver — seniors Keon Hatcher, Drew Morgan, Dominique Reed and tight end Jeremy Sprinkle. However, the team returns 2016 starter Jared Cornelius and tight Austin Cantrell and added JUCO transfer Brandon Martin. Not only that, but having less talent at receiver isn’t as big a deal with a quarterback like Allen, although it would be with an inexperienced quarterback.
Allen will need to get rid of the ball quicker in 2017, although his offensive line also needs to do a better job of giving him time. Fortunately for Allen, Arkansas returns four of the starters on the offensive line from the 2016 squad, including preseason All-SEC first team selection Frank Ragnow. Having a savvy center calling the plays at the line of scrimmage is crucial for any offense.
The talented quarterback finished 2016 with the most passing yards of any quarterback in the SEC (3,430) and the second-most touchdowns (25).
Schedule
Arkansas avoids Florida, Georgia and Tennessee from the East. The Razorbacks play Missouri at home and South Carolina on the road. The timing of the South Carolina game is fortuitous, coming off a home contest against New Mexico State. Arkansas plays LSU following a home contest against Coastal Carolina, while LSU plays Alabama the week prior.
Next: NFL Mock Draft 2018: Way-too-early edition
Admittedly, playing LSU on the road is still one of the most difficult games on the schedule. Yet, it is worth noting Arkansas beat LSU in both 2014 and 2015. The Razorbacks also face Alabama on the road, but the team gets Auburn at home. All in all, it is far from an easy schedule, but other SEC West teams have more challenging schedules.