The Arkansas Razorbacks soccer group is coming off considered one of their greatest seasons of the twenty first century: 9 wins, their most since 2011 and a victory within the Outback Bowl. Sure sir, issues are actually beginning to search for for the Razorbacks. Even higher, most of their key gamers are returning for the 2022 season. Okay.J. Jefferson might be again. 4 of the group’s starters on the offensive line will go well with up once more in 2022.

Working again Trelon Smith transferred out, however it was evident that the Razorbacks had been choosing extra of a committee method to their backfield with Raheim Sanders and Dominique Johnson choosing up extra carries because the season progressed. Smith might be changed. Sure, Treylon Burks is a serious loss, however hopefully another person can step up within the passing recreation. That they had a powerful haul of receivers this 12 months although, together with former No. 1 receiver prospect Jadon Haselwood. Maybe he might fill that function Burks left.

There have been some losses on protection, however nothing that Arkansas can’t overcome. But, I wouldn’t be stunned if Arkansas completed with lower than 5 wins subsequent 12 months.

Regardless of all of the expertise they’re bringing to the desk subsequent 12 months, Arkansas’ 2022 schedule is an absolute gauntlet with zero downtime, zero gimme video games, and 0 room for error. I do know the SEC is all the time powerful, however by golly, their different video games aren’t any simpler.

The group opens the season with Cincinnati. That’s powerful as is. That’s adopted by dwelling contests towards South Carolina and Missouri State. Arkansas ought to get at the very least one win throughout that stretch. Then comes absolutely the gauntlet. Texas A&M, Alabama, at Mississippi State, at BYU, at Auburn, Liberty, LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri to shut issues out. MY GOODNESS! Except for Missouri, these are all video games that the Razorbacks might lose. Liberty is iffy with out Malik Willis, however why on Earth would any college schedule all these high-profile non-conference video games in a single season, particularly once you’re already going to play the powerhouse SEC all 12 months as properly? If you happen to’re enjoying Bama, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn in the identical season, I feel your energy of schedule might be simply positive with out scheduling two groups that completed the season within the AP top-20. Give your group a breather each from time to time.

The toughest a part of this schedule goes to be that four-week stretch in the midst of the season the place Arkansas will get Alabama at dwelling adopted by three straight street video games. A minimum of the group will get their bye week earlier than going through Auburn, the ultimate recreation of that stretch, however that’s the best one! If something, you’d need the break earlier than you tackle Bama or LSU, however no. Heaven forbid completely something go Arkansas’ approach with their schedule.

With all of the promise Arkansas displayed final 12 months, and the expertise coming in, there’s an opportunity this group blows expectations out of the water and goes 10-2 or 9-3. Nonetheless, I feel it’s more likely that Arkansas succumbs to their schedule in the midst of the season and find yourself round .500, and I don’t suppose it’s absurd to foretell the Razorbacks going 4-8 and even 3-9. They’re higher than that. They shouldn’t, however it’s not out of the realm of chance.

The insane variance between the Razorbacks ceiling and ground is each bettors’ worst nightmare, however for my cash, if I needed to wager on Arkansas’ win whole for 2022, I’m taking below 7.5 daily of the week.