5. Arkansas Razorbacks (8-4, 4-4)
Some around the Razorback program think this is the year for the Hogs to break through, riding on the shoulders of veteran QB K.J. Jefferson. But this is a program heavily dependent on a handful of names with star potential, while hoping the holes at positions around them go unnoticed. More likely, this will be another solid, yet unspectacular season in Fayetteville.
Rankings (Ex, Vg, Av, Fr, Pr)
| Quarterbacks: Vg Running Backs: Vg Wide Receivers: Fr Offensive Line: Av | Defensive Line: Fr Linebackers: Av Defensive Backs: Fr Special Teams: Vg |
Offense: What could go right
Jefferson’s playmaking ability is unquestioned; he will end his career possessing most of the school’s passing records and has gotten himself into the early Heisman Trophy discussion. It won’t hurt that Raheim Sanders is in the backfield behind him; Sanders rushed for nearly 1,500 yards last year and is also a weapon out of the backfield. The offensive line isn’t the greatest in the world, but there is a lot of experience among this group and the Razorbacks always seem to be able to come up with a workable situation there.
Offense: What could go wrong
If Jefferson gets hurt, that’s probably it for Arkansas. The backup quarterback situation isn’t the best, and more so than that, Jefferson has been, up to this point, a great athlete but not always the best quarterback. The real question is who he will be throwing to, as the receiver corps is essentially brand-new. The less publicized issue, though, is how Arkansas will transition from the wide-open Kendal Briles at offensive coordinator to Dan Enos, who has bounced around quite a bit – including at Arkansas previously – and who is regarded as a good developer of quarterbacks but a bit of an enigma as a coordinator and relatively conservative.
Defense: What could go right
This was an aggressive defense in 2022 and one that made life hard on opposing quarterbacks. Arkansas had no trouble getting to the quarterback but took too many chances doing it. As a result, expect a more measured defensive look. The linebacker group has a lot of upside, and while the defensive backfield needs to get better up the middle, there is some potential there. Special teams are solid.
Defense: What could go wrong
The Razorbacks absolutely have to get better up front to contend. They were 93rd in rushing defense and 92nd in red zone defense in 2022, and improvement has to start with the line. While there is some talent left from 2022, there doesn’t appear to be enough of it, and the transfer portal didn’t yield enough new crops. The secondary has more experience than it does raw ability. Despite Sam Pittman’s tough-guy persona, it hasn’t translated to defensive recruiting just yet.
One-sentence summary: Expectations are rising but the Razorbacks lack enough raw ingredients.
Pittman’s run at Arkansas almost ended after last year’s 7-6 season, surprisingly. The Razorback program has never been a consistent contender since joining the SEC yet there are many around the program who think it’s not just possible, but also Arkansas’ birthright. If that line of thinking prevails in 2023, there could be some rash decisions made. It will fall mostly to K.J. Jefferson to be a one-man show week in and week out.
NEXT: 6. Auburn Tigers