BYU Football: Ranking 2022 opponents by toughness

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Nov 26, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson (1) runs with the ball during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Baylor was one of the most surprising teams in college football last season, winning the Big 12 title in year two of Dave Aranda.

Now, the Bears will be starting a new quarterback after Gerry Bohanon transferred and it feels like Blake Shapen could be a breakout star. He’ll have to develop some new top targets as Tyquan Thornton, RJ Sneed, and Drew Estrada are gone. And replacing Abram Smith won’t be easy.

The Bears may not be quite as good as last year, but they’re going to be contending for the Big 12 title again.

If you haven’t already, buy some Arkansas stock now because the Razorbacks have gotten better each year under Sam Pittman and I think that continues in 2022.

KJ Jefferson returns at quarterback and he could be a legitimate dark-horse Heisman candidate and he’ll have plenty of weapons to work with even with Trelon Smith and Treylon Burks both gone. Guys like Raheim Sanders, Trey Knox, Ketron Jackson Jr., and Jadon Haselwood will be a problem for defenses.

If Arkansas continues to improve on defense, it will be a tough out in the SEC.

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