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The 2017 season is a vital year for Arkansas football.
There are a number of concerns facing the team, including the future of the head coach.
Here’s a look at 10 things Razorbacks fans should have anxiety about:
1. Bret Bielema’s ceiling
Since Bielema arrived in 2013, Arkansas has the worst conference record of all the SEC West teams at 10-22. Texas A&M comes in second-to-last but still has five more wins than the Razorbacks.
After 2015, Arkansas fans adored Bielema because the Hogs won six of their last seven games. Last season, the Razorbacks could have finished 9-4 but blew leads against Missouri and Virginia Tech and finished 7-6. The Iowa native’s seat has not reached the temperature of Kevin Sumlin’s or Butch Jones’, but another 7-5 season could turn up the heat.
It wasn’t too long ago that the Razorbacks were playing for SEC titles and in a BCS bowl game. Is Bielema the right fit for Arkansas to compete for an SEC West title? His record at Wisconsin leads many to believe in his methods, but they have yet to work for a full season in the SEC.
2. Texas A&M beating UCLA
If Kevin Sumlin can take his Aggies into Pasadena in Week 1 and come away with a victory, that spells trouble for Arkansas. Whichever quarterback starts (Jake Hubenak, Nick Starkel or Kellen Mond) would have an enormous amount of confidence heading into Arlington for the Week 4 battle with the Razorbacks. Considering the last three years, it’s not like Aggies quarterbacks need a lot of morale heading into that game.
3. Devwah Whaley shrinking
To this point, Arkansas has had a 1,000-yard running back every year under Bielema. Whaley dominated his senior year of high school and had a solid freshman year in college as a backup, but starting in the SEC is a whole different magnitude of work. With two true freshmen behind him, the pressure is on. He is going to be expected to produce stats week after week like his spectacular freshman game against Mississippi State. Sometimes, high expectations can hurt a player’s performance.
4. Allen having limited targets
Keon Hatcher, Drew Morgan, Dominique Reed and Jeremy Sprinkle are no longer Razorbacks. Jared Cornelius is going to be the new main target in the passing attack, and opposing defenses know that. Besides Cornelius, there is little to no experience at the wide receiver position. On top of that, no tight end has solidified himself as the starter. Without other solid options, Cornelius is going to be blanketed by opposing defenses.
5. Injuries
All teams are affected by injuries, but the Razorbacks seem to suffer them at inopportune times under Bielema. Austin Allen, Jared Cornelius and Dre Greenlaw all have been bitten by the injury bug already. If one of those players suffers a significant injury, don’t bet in favor of the Razorbacks winning many games.
6. The 3-4 flops
Paul Rhoads has a challenge ahead that rivals running a marathon. The idea of him developing a significantly better defense than the 2016 team is far-fetched. There will be a number of growing pains in Year 1 of the new base defense. Even though the defensive line was lackluster last year, NFL draftees Deatrich Wise Jr. and Jeremiah Ledbetter will be missed up front.
7. Ed Orgeron dazzles
The former Ole Miss coach might not have to do much. LSU possibly has the best combination of coordinators in the SEC in Matt Canada and Dave Aranda. If the Tigers defense is equal to its usual prowess, and Canada lets the offense loose, Arkansas could get eaten alive in Death Valley. Heisman hopeful Derrius Guice ran for over 250 yards against the Razorbacks last season in Fayetteville. Arkansas has competed with LSU since Bielema arrived. If the Tigers finally get a good offense, the Razorbacks will have their work cut out.
8. Special teams are awful
Toby Baker (below) and his masterful punting skills are gone. His powerful leg helped counteract the Razorbacks’ atrocious defense last season in certain situations, changing field position. That will be missed. Arkansas has yet to have a dynamic kick returner or reliable kicker since Bielema took the reins. Don’t expect that to change this season.
9. The New Mexico State nightmare
Cue J.P.’s “it could happen” voice from Angels in the Outfield. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that Arkansas could lose this game. New Mexico State comes to town with a great senior running back in Larry Rose III who has accumulated over 3,000 yards in his career. Last season, the Razorbacks were a game-winning drive away from losing to Louisiana Tech. Toledo was a major, head-scratching setback in 2015. Don’t count out the Aggies in this game.
10. O-line repeats 2016
Arkansas gave up almost three sacks per game last season. Veteran Dan Skipper graduated, leaving the leadership duties to center Frank Ragnow. Indications lead many to believe the offensive line should be better with many of the players gaining experience, but their job got harder with Rawleigh Williams III retiring. If they don’t improve, kiss the possibility of eight or more wins goodbye.
Tye is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He works on-air for ESPN Arkansas in Fort Smith. You can follow him on twitter @TyeSportsRadio.
