PETE MORGAN: Taking stab at Razorbacks’ season … plus bowl

We say seasons change. We debate on whether or not people can change. And, we hope (and possibly pray), a team in Fayetteville, Ark., has changed.

It was a dismal season for the Razorbacks in 2023. Going 4 – 8 overall, with only one win in SEC play, not to mention dismissing our offensive coordinator with a few weeks to go.

Then the offseason gave us a carousel of valued personnel saying goodbye, a good handful of talent emerging out of the transfer portal, some NFL level talent riding out the rough waters, and a historical savior returning to a controversial hero’s welcome.

In summary, KJ Jefferson is out. Taylen Green and Larry Worth are in. Landon Jackson has cemented himself in what will be Arkansas lore. And Bobby Petrino is back to run his offense for Sam Pittman.

In fact, there are quite a few returning and new faces with enough talent to make one wonder if the Hogs can be contenders in the SEC this season.

Can they? Let’s take a look.

Week 1: UAPB (Little Rock): Arkansas has not played another in-state school since 1944, and they have never taken the field against UAPB. This game may be fun for fans; however, it will do nothing to show us how much the Razorbacks have improved.
Winnable? Yes
Result: Win

Week 2: at Oklahoma State: A tough, non-conference game against a successful Power 4 team is probably not the best chaser for the rent-a-win in Week 1. OSU Coach Mike Gundy had the Cowboys in the Big 12 Conference Championship last season. They may even be their conference’s flag ship program since Oklahoma and Texas have now officially bounced like bad checks for the SEC. This is a tough match-up for Arkansas too quickly.
Winnable? Yes.
Result: Loss

Week 3: University of Alabama-Birmingham: It will be Family Weekend at the U of A as they host parents and the UAB Blazers for the first home game in Fayetteville. Trent Dilfer will look to have his team ready to knock down an SEC team, yet I just feel even suiting up their beloved Blaze would give them enough firepower to pull off the upset.
Winnable? Yes
Result: Win

Week 4: at Auburn: We should have beaten the Tigers on The Hill last year, but we found ourselves getting drilled like a bad tooth instead. This year might be different, but for all of his personal flaws, Hugh Freeze is a fantastic coach, and his second year in Auburn may reflect his brilliance.
Winnable? Yes
Result: Loss

Week 5: Texas A&M (Arlington, Texas): This is the last year of the contract with Jerry Jones, right? As I get older, I get forgetful. Honestly, I hate to lose the contract. I love the trip to Arlington, and I am a huge fan of Jones. He has always been cool to me. Oh, right, the game. Long story short, I do not know enough about new Aggies coach Mike Elko to know if he can turn around the disappointment the program experienced under Jimbo Fisher. I do know Bobby Petrino might have a touch more fire in his belly against his former team. Unless the Razorbacks are down from the loss at Auburn, this could be an easy victory.
Winnable? Yes
Result: Win

Week 6: Tennessee: The Vols are firing on a good number of cylinders over the past few seasons under Josh Heupel… but they are not firing on all cylinders. In fact, they seem to be over-hyped a lot since coming under the leadership of (dare I say it) “Hypel”. Yes, I know he had some success in 2022, but, hey, who didn’t, right, Sam? This game may come down to how many fans pack Donald W Reynolds Razorback Stadium as well as if it ends up being an afternoon or a night game.
Winnable? Yes
Result? Win

Week 8: LSU: Speaking of night games, here is one the fans will love if the Hogs are at least two games over .500 after a bye week. The Tigers will most likely acquire a Top 10 ranking by mid-October if they can handle their business against two of California’s finest and fend off Ole Miss at home. They may be too strong for Arkansas to beat, even on campus.
Winnable? For certain
Result? Loss

Week 9: Mississippi State: Unless something drastic happened in Starkville during the offseason, this may be the best shot the Hogs have at winning an SEC road game.
Winnable? Yes
Result? Win

Week 10: Ole Miss: For the past five seasons, this game seems to favor to the home team. Lane Kiffin brings his Rebels to Fayetteville after barely holding us off in Oxford 27 – 20 last season. Ole Miss may have added too much talent to beat them even within our friendly confines.
Winnable: Yes
Result? Loss

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Week 12: Texas: Time to welcome Texas to the SEC after a bye week. We got them last time they came to The Hill. I will admit, the banter between Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and Arkansas coach Sam Pittman was pretty comical and respectful. There might have been a mild slight from Sark, but who cares? This one should be fun.
Winnable? Yes
Result? Win

Week 13: Louisiana Tech: A late season softball? Let’s not forget no team out of Louisiana should ever be overlooked. Depending upon team morale at this point, it should be a cakewalk for the Razorbacks.
Winnable? Without a doubt.
Result: Win

Week 14: Missouri: Can we officially say our native son Eli Drinkwitz is a traitor? He and his Tigers were successful last year, but I feel they are overrated this year. Regardless, Eli’s ego hopefully gets the better of him in the week leading up to the game. This might inspire some late season motivation for a Razorbacks team on the cusp of a decent bowl game.
Winnable? Yes
Result: Loss

Non-conference: 3 – 1
SEC: 4 – 4
Overall: 7 – 5

Bowl Projection: TransPerfect Music City Bowl

Anyone want to place bets now? Each game this season is winnable for Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks. It is not as brutal as what we have experienced in the recent history. Maybe this will keep the team inspired to play their best and to not check-out early in the same manner they did in 2023. I have a good feeling about the comradery in this group which will translate to more victories.

Also, isn’t it just the Arkansas way to have Nick Saban finally retire, and we do not have Alabama on the schedule for the first time since 1992, the first year Arkansas played in the SEC?

Two things to remember. One, things can always change. Two, there is always next year. Well, this is “next year”, and for Sam Pittman, as much as I love the guy, he probably knows it had better be “the year”, or Arkansas will be seeing a whole lot of change before 2025. Let’s not forget, there were a lot of close ballgames against some of the top-ranked opponents in the SEC. There were also some gamedays where even the most loyal Hogs fans found other things to do. Perhaps the reports of locker room drama and the instigators no longer being on the roster will provide a spark to prove me wrong on some of the predicted losses above.

Prayers out to Sandy.