Arkansas Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018 season

Finally, a “break” for the Razorbacks. Arkansas will head back home to take on Tulsa, a team that finished 2-10 a season ago.

The Golden Hurricane return seven starters on offense, but that may not be saying much as their most productive position — running back — loses its No. 1 back from last year. The lead returning rusher is Shamari Brooks who rushed for 687 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and sophomore quarterback Luke Skipper will get his first real shot under center.

If the Razorbacks can shut Brooks down, the rest will take care of itself.

What I mean by this is the Golden Hurricane don’t have many options outside the run game with a first-year starter at quarterback and the defense is less than adequate. In fact, they return just five starters on defense and they ranked 121st in scoring and 128th in total yardage allowed last year.

Expect another big game from Devwah Whaley against this lackluster run defense (128th nationally last year), picking up over 150 yards for the second straight game.

Cole Kelley, too, will take advantage of a mediocre secondary, passing for 250 yards and two scores.

Final Score: Tulsa 17, Arkansas 41 (5-3)