Arkansas football: 3 bold predictions for season opener vs No. 23 Cincinnati

Hogs QB KJ Jefferson finishes with 250 combined passing & rushing yards

KJ Jefferson, the dual-threat quarterback entering his junior season with the Razorbacks, is going to be key to Arkansas fending off the Bearcats.

The 6’3″, 242-pound strongman can burn defenses with his cannon-like arm, shifty athleticism, and brute strength—he’s nearly impossible to tackle in the open field.

I’m predicting he’ll have a huge Week 1 game, recording 250 or more combined passing and rushing yards.

Jefferson had six such games last season, despite their gauntlet-like schedule playing in the SEC West. He can adapt to any defense and can torch even the best of them.

He carved up No. 7 Texas A&M for 366 passing yards, 326 vs No. 17 Ole Miss, and another 326 vs No. 2 Alabama.

When he runs with the ball, he can make guys miss. He had seven games in which he rushed for 50 or more yards, including 73 yards vs No. 15 Texas and a season-high 110 rushing yards vs Penn State in the Outback Bowl.

Cincinnati will throw some exotic coverages at Jefferson, but he’ll put all of his tools together and have a big game.