Arkansas Football: Ranking 2020 opponents by toughness

How tough of a schedule does a team have if the defending national champions rank just fourth on this list? Arkansas is in for a murderer’s row in 2020.

The Tigers are just fourth because I think facing LSU without Joe Burrow at home in the middle of October is a slightly more favorable matchup than going on the road to battle Notre Dame with a third-year starting quarterback in Ian Book returning.

Myles Brennan may end up being a solid quarterback after all, but he’ll pale in comparison to Burrow. He will have All-American receiver Ja’Marr Chase to throw to and some young up-and-coming running backs. Oh, and that defense will just reload again.

LSU will be good, but not 2019 good.

As previously mentioned, Book is back as the starter yet again and the Irish return all five starters on the offensive line. They also have Jafar Armstrong back at running back and if he can stay healthy, there’s a good chance he breaks the 1,000-yard mark.

Receiver may be an issue and tight end is still a question mark, but the line will be the strength along with the defense led by Clark Lea.

Notre Dame just needs to figure out its run game and find a replacement for Chase Claypool at receiver, but this team is going to be solid once again. The defense may actually carry the Irish.