Coming clean on Arkansas football predictions

Good day sunshine, right here come the Hogs.

I’m embarrassed to confess it, however that was the final sentence I wrote in August whereas making my annual predictions on Arkansas soccer. Boy, did I miss badly on that one.

Not solely did Arkansas fail to win 9 video games and end the season with a bowl victory in Florida as I predicted, the Porkers stand 6-6 with a bowl recreation left to play in Memphis. So, why wait?

With dangerous information coming Arkansas’ means with defensive coordinator Barry Odom leaving for Las Vegas and prime gamers opting out of the Liberty Bowl, it’s time to come back clear and admit to preseason predictions that grew to become far faraway from actuality. As punishment, I’ll restrict myself to an appetizer in Memphis whereas mates and family members gorge themselves on town’s well-known BBQ ribs. (Yea, proper).

The predictions I made 4 months in the past for every class are in parentheses:

BEST WIN

(Texas A&M)

Shedding 23-21 to Texas A&M in September began a downhill slide for Arkansas, which adopted with losses to Alabama and Mississippi State that weren’t even shut. The most effective win for Arkansas truly got here towards Ole Miss in November when Rocket Sanders rushed for 232 yards to make the Razorbacks bowl eligible.

WORST LOSS

(Brigham Younger)

I had the precise concept however the incorrect staff.

I believed leaping out of SEC play and dropping focus for a non-conference recreation in Utah would result in a loss at Brigham Younger. Arkansas as an alternative jumped out of league play two weeks later and misplaced 21-19 at residence to Liberty, a staff that completed with three straight defeats after beating the Hogs.

At the very least the win helped Hugh Freeze to get a brand new job out of it.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

(KJ Jefferson)

Obtained this one proper.

Shedding KJ Jefferson to damage for a few video games revealed two truths: How priceless Jefferson is to the Razorbacks and the way dangerous the backup quarterbacks had been with a runner who couldn’t throw and a thrower who couldn’t run.

The quantity of success Arkansas has subsequent season will rely drastically on whether or not Jefferson can get by means of the season with none critical accidents.

SUDDEN IMPACT

(Jadon Haselwood)

This can be a new class I added to permit for gamers from the switch portal so many coaches depend on now to bolster their rosters.

I discussed Drew Sanders as the highest defensive newcomer behind Haselwood as the highest offensive newcomer for the Razorbacks. If defensive lineman will be credited with half a sack, I’ll take credit score for getting this class half proper.

Too dangerous Arkansas followers don’t get to see extra of Sanders, a really nice athlete who’s declared for the NFL.

TOP NEWCOMER

(Isaiah Sategna)

I used to be too keen in singling out Sategna, a large receiver I noticed many instances at Fayetteville Excessive. I applaud the very fact Sategna stayed and ran monitor his senior season for the Bulldogs. However that put him behind in soccer as a result of he didn’t undergo spring drills like numerous incoming freshmen in faculty. Sategna then suffered a excessive ankle damage earlier than the third recreation of the season, which slowed his progress much more.

However it is a particular athlete who I’m satisfied will ultimately do nice issues at Arkansas. With Haselwood and Ketron Jackson gone, we may see a glimpse of Sategna’s means on the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.

FINAL RECORD

(9-4 with a Citrus Bowl victory)

Going 6-6 with a loss to Liberty and one other SEC loss to Missouri to finish the common season is a serious disappointment, it simply is. So, I don’t purchase the spin Arkansas was so near profitable 9 video games any greater than TV announcers who would possibly attempt to prop them up as “one of the best 6-6 staff within the nation.”

Ridiculous. You might be what your win-loss document says you’re.

However I nonetheless imagine in coach Sam Pittman and I’m confidence he’ll forestall Arkansas from sliding again into mediocrity and even worse. Beating Kansas within the Liberty Bowl with guys who nonetheless wish to to put on Razorback crimson builds momentum for subsequent yr.

Good day Memphis, right here comes the Hogs.