Arkansas Football: 5 must-win games for Razorbacks in 2018

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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 1: Safety Jake Schlager #8 of the Colorado State Rams tries to rile up the fans before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

The toughest non-conference affair for the Hogs this season could easily be the Week 2 opponent, Colorado State Rams. And, it’s the only non-conference game that Arkansas has to hit the road to participate in. Their other opposition outside the SEC includes the Eastern Illinois Panthers (FCS), North Texas Mean Green, and Tulsa Golden Hurricane.

If Tulsa can respond after a down season in 2017, they’ll be another tough contest for the Hogs in 2018. Moreover, the Hogs need to show something more if they’re to move through the non-conference portion of the slate as expected, compared to how they looked down the stretch in 2017.

Arkansas barely took down a weaker opponent last year in the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. They won by just a single point, and nearly had their fourth victory of the season taken away. Colorado State has a good offense, and can be a sneaky Mountain West squad at home.

The senior quarterback Nick Stevens is gone for the Rams, but rising junior Collin Hill could step in and be a solid replacement. That is if Hill can stay healthy this year (had a re-torn ACL this spring). This is a game that Arkansas not only should win, but must win to reach bowl eligibility in 2018.

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