Despite a horrific start, the Razorbacks have a chance to get on track and have a meaningful season. Let’s face it. The season couldn’t have started out much worse, considering the Hogs started ranked in the top 10. Coming off an eleven-win season that was good enough for a top five finish, and returning the conference’s best QB/RB tandem, a 1-2 start was the last thing on the mind of players and fans.
Well, the reality is the Hogs are 1-2, and a loss today could send the team into a tailspin from which it may not recover. A win today could put the Hogs in a familiar position: going into SEC play down a game. The Razorbacks have started conference play with a loss since Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, so the Hogs are in the same position as they were last season as far as conference aspirations are concerned. The Louisiana-Monroe loss did kill Arkansas’ national title hopes, but a run like the Hogs have put together the last several years down the stretch could end the season on a respectable note.
Granted, the entire team will have to play better to make that happen, but the team returns its unquestioned leader Tyler Wilson today. The Razorbacks have been a completely different team with Wilson at QB this year. He gives them a chance to beat any team in the country just by stepping on the field.
My picks have been more hopeful than accurate so far this season, so I’m going to try to turn it around today and be realistic. The Razorbacks will be a much better offense with Wilson at QB, but anything is better than 0. This isn’t a mid-major defense the Hogs are facing today. The Scarlet Knights are ranked in the top 10 in most defensive categories, but face their first real test today.
It will be hard for Rutgers to dominate on their first ever trip to Fayetteville, and the Hogs should have a chip on their shoulder today. There has been nothing but negative attention surrounding the team the last few weeks, and I’m sure they are ready to get that bad taste out of their mouths. Hogs win, but not in a blowout.
Arkansas 31
Rutgers 24