2013 Arkansas Razorbacks Season Prediction

credit: ArkansasRazorbacks.com

It's finally game week. That time of year that all football fans desperately look forward to all winter and summer long. Last season was a major disaster. No one can deny the Razorbacks had talent last year. The biggest thing they didn't have was leadership on and off the field. The players flat out gave up especially after the loss to Louisiana Monroe. You have to go back a few years to win the Razorbacks lost all games at War Memorial like they did last season. Most people would say that the Arkansas Razorbacks are in rebuilding mode. I personally would say the Razorbacks are in redemption mode. The Hogs made a big splash hiring Bret Bielema (Pronounced Bee-la-muh). He hired a top notch staff and even grabbed some big recruits at the end of the recruitment period. It will take a few years to get the players that Coach Bielema and his staff need to fit the style they are bringing to Arkansas. Fans will need to be patient and realize their will be growing pains. But fans can take solace in the fact that along the way there will be things to be very excited and happy about. Last year the Razorbacks won only 4 games but with a better coach they could have easily won 6 to 7 games.

1. Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns-------------------------------W
2. Samford Bulldogs--------------------------------------------------------W
3. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles-----------------------------W
4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights-----------------------------------------------W
5. Texas A&M Aggies -------------------------------------------------------L
6. Florida Gators---------------------------------------------------------------L
7. South Carolina Gamecocks------------------------------------------W
8. Alabama Crimson Tide------------------------------------------------- L
9. Auburn Tigers--------------------------------------------------------------W
10. Ole Miss Rebels------------------------------------------------------------L
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs--------------------------------------------W
12. LSU Tigers--------------------------------------------------------------------L

                I see the Razorbacks going 7-5 and pulling an upset on South Carolina. I can't quite put my finger on why but I feel like the Hogs can get it done against the Gamecocks in Fayetteville. There are other games that really could be a lot closer than people think. If the Aggies don't have Johnny Football then that could be a winnable game. Also Florida at the Swamp has the potential to be an upset. If the Hogs were to get a few upsets along the way I completely feel like it will balance out with a few let downs as that is just a fact of history with the Razorbacks. In my opinion the Razorbacks have the talent to be at least a 6-6 team and go on to a bowl game and likely win it making them just over .500 for the season. 

Is Alabama the True National Champion?

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The Alabama Crimson Tide won the BCS Championship Monday night 21-0 over the LSU Tigers. LSU won the first meeting 9-6 in overtime. The Tide missed 4 field goals in that first meeting. If the Tide make just one or two of those field goals the season changes for many teams at the top of the polls at the end of the season. OSU is trying to lay claim that they would have gave the Tide or the Tigers a better game. OSU barely survived past Stanford. The BCS system is BS but the system did was it was designed to do gave football fans the two best teams in the country. Alabama dominated LSU on Monday night. If someone saw the score their first thought would have been that the Tide won by three touchdowns. That was not the case. The Tide scored one touchdown with less than five minutes left in the game. Just like the first time it was all field goals to that point. One stat that really sticks out and has been made fun of plenty by LSU haters, is that LSU only advanced past the 50 yard line once in the game. LSU also only managed 92 yards of offense. LSU did win the first matchup but in my opinion Alabama beat themselves in the first matchup and proved Monday night that  they were the superior team in the SEC and thus the Country.

Arkansas at Alabama Prediction

Week 4:

According to EA Sports this is how the game will turn out.

Final Score: Hogs 17   Alabama 10

EA Sports Record: 4-0
Hogs Rank after game: 8
Total Offense: 355
Passing Yards: 214
Rushing Yards: 141
Total Yards: 469
Player of the Game: Knile Davis, 19 Car, 80 Yds, TD
Heisman Leader: Andrew Luck-Stanford

My prediction:
This is a huge game with possible SEC West Championship implications on the line. Alabama will be the first true test of the season. The Hogs defense will be the key for this game. Hogs passing game should be clicking pretty good by this game. If the o-line and the run game is clicking then there could be some big yardage and points put up. Even if the o-line and the run game is not on point, the defense will be the heroes of the game and keep the Crimson Tide offense out of the endzone much. The excitement over this years Hog  team makes me think that they will get the job done and beat the Tide.

My score:
Hogs 20 Alabama 14

Next Opponent:

Texas A&M Aggies

Troy at Arkansas Prediction

Week 3:

According to EA Sports this is how the game will turn out.

Final Score: Hogs  44 Troy 17
Hogs Rank after game: 13
Total Offense: 469
Passing Yards: 352
Rushing Yards: 117
Total Yards: 570
Player of the Game: Jericho Nelson, Tkl, TFL, 4 ATK
Heisman Leader: Andrew Luck-Stanford

My prediction:
This game will be the first real test of the season. Troy isn't a scrub but they are no powerhouse either. Hogs should cruise comfortable in this game. Get a little more tuned up for the big match-up next week with the Crimson Tide. The important thing for the Hogs in this game is not completely overlook Troy. They are good enough that they could surprise the Hogs if they are not ready. With that said this is a Bobby Petrino coached team and he always has his teams ready for that weeks opponent. Probably see the starters go a little longer to make sure they are in football shape for the next game. 

My score:
Hogs 35 Troy 7

Next Game:

at #2 Alabama