Arkansas football is hoping for better results in Chad Morris’ second season and there’s light at the end of the tunnel after spring ball.
Chad Morris left SMU to take the head coaching job with Arkansas with one thing on his mind: a quick turnaround.
Although the Razorbacks struggled in year one with the new head coach, going just 2-10, the future seems bright in Fayetteville, especially after Bret Bielema left it in a bad place before the 2018 season.
Excitement is back at Arkansas and after spring ball, expectations are relatively high. No, we’re not talking about SEC title contention in 2019, but rather bowl-contending range. Anything would be a major uptick after a two-win season.
Can the Razorbacks turn things around in 2019?
Some FCS opponents are tough to judge, but Portland State is coming off a rough season and it doesn’t look like the Vikings’ outlook is any better in 2019.
The Vikings finished 4-7 in 2018 with blowout losses to Nevada and Oregon by a combined score of 134-33. To say that Arkansas should have its way with Portland State in the season opener would be a massive understatement.
Portland State might put up a fight in the first half, but after that, it’ll be all Arkansas as Rakeem Boyd will get off to a hot start to his junior season, rushing for 150 yards and three scores.
Ben Hicks, my pick to win the starting job, will make Chad Morris — who also coached him at SMU — look like a genius for landing him via transfer with a 200-yard performance with no turnovers and a 70 percent completion rate.
Final Score: Portland State 10, Arkansas 45 (1-0)