2012 Arkansas Razorbacks Season Preview and Predictions

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There is just 15 days till the Razorbacks kickoff against Jacksonville State in Fayetteville. This past off-season has been one of the wildest in recent memory. Former Coach Bobby Petrino was involved in a motorcycle wreck that led to the discovery of infidelity and illegal hiring practices. He was let go mostly due to the illegal hiring of the women that he had the infidelity with. He also lied to his boss Athletic Director Jeff Long. With the timing of the incident there weren't many coaches available to take over the talented Razorbacks. Jeff Long reached out to former assistant coach John L. Smith. Smith had just left the Hogs to take over the Head Coach job at his alma mater Weber State. Smith knows the system and knows the players and the other coaches. He is the perfect fit for a rent-a-coach. Smith was given a 10 month contract. Most including myself don't think there is a thing he can do to remain the Head Coach of the Hogs including winning a National Championship. Also during the spring there were some issues with players. Andrew Peterson, Maudrecus Humphrey, and Marquel Wade were arrested and later removed from the team. But there is good news on the season. Knile Davis is back and says he is back to full strength. Tyler Wilson also returned to the team rather than make a run for the NFL. Paul Petrino also returned to the Hogs to take over for Garrick McGee who left to become the UAB Head Coach. Right before the Cotton Bowl two new defensive coaches were brought in after Willie Robinson was not retained. Taver Johnson and Paul Haynes both previously at Ohio State showed the upgrade they will bring during the Cotton Bowl.  This years Razorback team is one of the most talent from top to bottom in a long time.

Arkansas Razorback Schedule
9-1 Jacksonville State----------------------------------------------------------------W
9-8 Louisiana-Monroe @WarMemorialStadium in Little Rock------------W
9-15 Alabama--------------------------------------------------------------------------W
9-22 Rutgers---------------------------------------------------------------------------W
9-29 @Texas A&M-------------------------------------------------------------------W
10-6 @Auburn------------------------------------------------------------------------W
10-13 Kentucky----------------------------------------------------------------------W
10-27 Ole Miss @WarMemorialStadium in Little Rock------------------W
11-3 Tulsa (Homecoming)-------------------------------------------------------W
11-10 @South Carolina----------------------------------------------------------W
11-17 @Mississippi State--------------------------------------------------------W
11-23 LSU--------------------------------------------------------------------------W

I am drinking the kool-aid as they say. This team is very talented and very motivated. The schedule sets them up for lots of success. The only losses I could see possible happening would be to Alabama or LSU. Both of those teams did lose a lot last year and LSU just lost their special team beast the Honey Badger. With the games being at home I have to give the edge to the Razorbacks. Texas A&M at College Station could be a tough task. Miss State is always tough at home. South Carolina wont be an easy win but should be a competitive game.

This should be a very special year for the Hogs. Some National Media pundits have mentioned thier prediction for the National Championship game would be the Hogs vs Southern Cal. As a die-hard Razorback fan that sounds good to me. I could really care less who the Hogs played if they were to win a SEC and National Title. Recruiting is ahead of schedule at this point and that is a good thing considering the coaching situation. Even if the Hogs stumble a little this year they are positioning themselves to be a major player in the years to come.

How you do you see the season turning out?

2012: Year of the Hog

The stars seem to be aligning for the Arkansas Razorbacks to make a run at a SEC title and National Championship. Knile Davis has decided to stay at Arkansas at least one more year to give his all to Razorback Nation. Knile could have left for the NFL and started his career but choose to return to see how he could help the Hogs. Another piece of the puzzle decided to stay at Arkansas as well. Tyler Wilson will return to lead the Hogs. Colbi Hamilton and Chris Gragg also decided to stay. The offensive line should only improve. The defense showed promise in the short time with new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes. The Hogs are losing a lot at the wide out spot. All world receiver Joe Adams, Greg Childs, and Jaruis Wright all are gone to the NFL. Even with all those losses the Razorbacks have the players ready to step up in their place. Hogs are also chasing a major recruit in DGB. He is a guy that would be able to come in and play immediately as a freshman in the SEC. Even if DGB doesn't choose the Hogs they still have the weapons compete for the SEC and National Titles. 2012 should be the Year of the Hog. I am going to start a twitter campaign using the hash tag #2012YearoftheHog. If you agree use the hashtag to get the word out.

No Knile, No Problem

When Knile Davis went down with his injury everyone in attendance was breathless. Knile is a Heisman worthy running back. He means a lot to the Razorbacks. What people need to understand is the season is not lost now that Knile is lost for the season. Knile was not the starter at the beginning of the season last year. He burst on the season after Dennis Johnson got injured. Dennis Johnson is back from injury and he and Ronnie Wingo will battle for that starting spot. The offensive line will have 3 games to get some experience and gel before going to Alabama for the first test of the season. Knile will be missed as a locker room presence. However his talent wont be missed much. Wingo and Johnson are very talented and one of those guys will step up and provide that run game relief that Tyler Wilson will need to succeed this year. Not many people expect a 1000 yard rusher but the run game should still be good. The Razorbacks are very talented this year and one player going down doesn't change the fact that the Hogs are loaded and poised to still have a great season.