Ad Disclosure
SDS continues the in-depth look at teams and their biggest subplots heading into 2015 with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Previous subplots: Tennessee Volunteers, Alabama Crimson Tide.
1. Is the defense still good?
It’s not necessary to go through the specific numbers again. But it’s worth remembering that last year’s Razorbacks ranked second in the SEC in rush defense, fifth in pass defense and second in overall defense. In other words, they smothered opponents. In LSU and Ole Miss’s cases, they smothered them for four quarters.
Now Trey Flowers, Darius Philon, and Martell Spaight are gone, which caused many to automatically assume the quality of Arkansas’s defense would go down. But hold on. The likes of Tevin Beanum, Taiwan Johnson, JaMichael Winston, Jeremiah Ledbetter and Karl Roesler impressed during the Razorbacks’ first scrimmage on Saturday. Arkansas added a quartet of four-star defensive line signees for depth.
So while the defense may no longer have a cool nickname, it still packs a big punch.
2. Offensive linemen are king
Look at Arkansas’s media guide and you’ll know it’s true. Five hulking, stoic offensive lineman stand between you and turning that first page. It’s all part of coach Bret Bielema’s plan to emphasize and market the position — a microcosm of the team’s mindset.
Photoshoots aside, the offensive line is going to be a crucial squad for this unit come game time. The group will set up Brandon Allen, serving as the foundation of Arkansas’ attempt at building up the passing game. A reshuffled, lighter line also should be able to get to the second level more often, making the team more effective at running the ball and executing screens. Now that Jonathan Williams is no longer part of this 2015 team (at least during the regular season — more on that below), the line is even more important.
Ask Florida, ask Kentucky, ask Vanderbilt, ask Mississippi State. Offensive lines can truly rule the offense, for better or for worse.
3. Life after Jonathan Williams
Losing the No. 1 running back for the entire regular season due to a preseason injury is a true shame, not just for Arkansas but for everyone. It’s never a good day when a gifted athlete is prevented from developing his potential due to injury. However, now that everyone knows Williams is no longer an option, adjustments will need to be made to keep the Razorbacks viable, and quickly.
First up, Alex Collins takes over as the top back, no questions. With Collins bearing the brunt of the carries, junior Kody Walker most likely will step up to take what was formerly Collins’ place. Freshman Rawleigh Williams is also a qualified option, especially if his 63-yard touchdown run during Saturday’s scrimmage has anything to say about it.
We’d like to remind Razorbacks fans not to panic. Bielema knows how to manage one running back getting a majority of the carries or three running backs splitting the load. The offense will be able to hold its own.
4. SEC West Contenders?
The SEC West is ridiculous in that you can’t rule out any team. Alabama, Auburn and LSU are obvious top dogs, but Mississippi State is looking for a piece, Ole Miss is looking for a piece, Texas A&M is looking for a piece, and so is Arkansas.
All of these other teams have recently experienced that big boom of success, so people are wondering: is this season the year that Arkansas will get that boom? Will Arkansas’s momentum from the end of 2014 carry over?
The popular answers range from “absolutely yes” to “there may be a chance.” We’ve predicted that Arkansas will most likely go 8-4 this season, and while just one win more than last season may seem a little stingy, it still means Bielema is moving his team in the right direction. Additionally, our prediction includes Arkansas going 4-4 in conference play, which is a whole lot better than last year’s 2-6 — last in the West Division standings.
Bielema has built the hype and the foundation for a strong program. Now he just has to push his team little by little, win by win toward the top.
SDS TAKEAWAY
So what if Brandon Allen didn’t have a great first scrimmage? So what if Jonathan Williams has to undergo surgery? So what if Arkansas has one of the toughest schedules in the country?
The Razorbacks are a strong team.
Bielema has built confidence in the fact that the Razorbacks are capable of great things. They may not go out and win the SEC championship tomorrow. They very well may only be able to win one more game than last season, but they have strengths where other teams don’t.
Arkansas is doing something right, and that makes other teams wary.
Christine Wang is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. She covers Auburn, Arkansas and Ole Miss.
