2013 was a fun year with Pregame. Hope for another good year in 2014.
I would like to share with all of Pregamers my thoughts on the Razorbacks. As always your inputs or comments are highly appreciated.
Arkansas Razorbacks Football 2014 Preview
LAST YEAR RECAP:
Arkansas 2013 Record: 3-9 Overall and 0-8 SEC
I had predicted, here in Pregame, the Hogs would go 4-8 with a possibility of 3-9 and 0-8 SEC.
As it turned out I was sadly right. New HC Bret Bielema had ruined the Hogs to a new low in more
than half of a century. The Hogs last conference winless season was in 1942. The conference losing
streak is now at 12 games dating back to 2012 season. The sad fact is that horrible record does not
even reflect how bad the team really was. The Hogs struggled mightily against some of the worst
teams in the nation (i.e. Southern Miss, trailing FCS of Samford in 4th quarter) and was never in
a game vs better competition (Lost 0-52 to Alabama, 7-52 to South Carolina, and even lost 10-30 to
a horrible 4-8 Florida Gators)
With the exception of a good Running game, ranked #17 on Yards Per Rush, the Hogs were ranked
near or worse than 80th in the nation in just about every major categories on both sides of the ball.
However there was some light at the end of the tunnel as the Hogs competed very well in the
last 3 games vs Ole Miss and LSU, both on the road, and Miss. St ( 17-24 OT) at home . As a matter
of fact the Hogs could/should have won the last 2 games.
Offense Defense
Scoring 20.7 ppg 30.8 ppg
Total Offense 357 ypg 413 ypg
Rushing 209 ypg 178 ypg
Passing 148 ypg 235 ypg
COACHING CHANGES:
Former DC Chris Ash left and went back to B10 as Ohio State co-DC. DL coach Charlie Partridge
has accepted the HC job with Florida Atlantic. DB coach Taver Johnson went to Purdue for the
same position.
Robb Smith, a fast rising star in the coaching rank, took over as the Hogs DC. Coach Smith spent
last season as Tampa Bay linebackers coach, and was instrumental in leading Rutgers defense
to one of the top defenses in the nation during 2012 season.
Rory Segrest, with NFL coaching background and was an assistant coach with Samford, is the new
DL coach, and also added the Special Team coordinator duty
Clay Jennings, last 6 years with TCU as DB coach, has assumed the same position with the Hogs
2014 OUTLOOK:
It's still a mystery on how well (or bad) the Hogs will do this year. Everything depends on B. Bielema.
If Bielema continues his dumb, ultra conservative plays-calling… a 4-8 or worse season is assured.
If Bielema let OC Jim Chaney do what Chaney does best, a balanced and quick strike offense,
coupled with a better Defense, there is hope the Hogs can improve to 5-7 or even a 6-6 dream season
with some lucky breaks.
OFFENSE:
Returning starters (7): QB Brandon Allen, RB Jonathan Williams, Keon Hatcher, TE Hunter Henry,
OL Brey Cook, Denver Kirkland and Dan Skipper.
Last year underclassmen made 98 starts and accounted for 90% of the Hogs' total offense.
A very young and inexperienced offense in 2013 could pave the way for a better showing in 2014.
Arkansas returns virtually all of its production on offense. Returning players accounted for 95%
of the Razorbacks' total offense in 2013; 91% of rushing yards, 99% of passing yards, 80% of
all-purpose yards, 60% of receiving yards and 63% touchdowns. How much better it will improve
from a group that ranked #106th in Scoring Offense and 100th in Total Offense depends solely
on HC Bielema's abiltiy to develop skill players, and to implement a better offensive plan than
what was (ridiculously) seen on the field last year. Here hoping Bielema has learned the hard way that
1st down -run, 2nd down- run, 3rd-and-long throw-a-prayer to the sideline will not cut it in the SEC.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
The line should be solid this year even with the losses of C Travis Swanson and LT David Hurd.
RT Brey Cook is 1 of 3 returning starters, along with LT Dan Skipper (who started at guard LY) and
RG Denver Kirkland; Luke Charpentier at LG and Mitch Smothers at Center.
2013 4-stars Reeve Koehler who redshirted LY will be in the mix for playing time and even some start
Newcomers like senior transfer Cameron Jefferson, junior transfer Sebatian Tretola and freshmen
Brian Wallace and Frank Ragnow are expected to push for playing time. Depth is fortified with
veterans like Austin Beck, Marcus Danenhauer and Chris Stringer having multiple years experience
With one more year on the job, OL coach Sam Pittman who is considered one of the best in the
business can certainly improve an already above average line. Expect good thing this year with OL
Key Losses: Center T. Swanson (50 starts) Tackle David Hurd (23 starts)
Proj. lineup: Brey Cook, Dan Skipper, Mitch Smothers, Denver Kirkland, Luke Charpentier
Quarterback:
Brandon Allen returns after a horrid season in which he completed worse than 50% for 1552 yds,
13 TD and 10 Int. The problems can be attributed to bad plays-calling by Bielema and a shoulder
injury in the 3rd game that hindered his accuracy. He later admitted that he only practiced one
day a week and suffered pain in games. Brandon Allen , however, has shown some improvement
in the last 3 games in which he completed more than 60%, but TD/Interceptions ratio (4/3) and Yards
per attempt (6.2 ypa) were still far from adequate. The Spring and Fall scrimmage results were
inconsistent and did not provide any indication of solid improvement.
RS freshman Austin Allen has earned the backup QB after the Fall 2nd Scrimmage.
Despite all the negative criticisms I still feel Brandon Allen is at least a decent or good QB. He just
needs a little more coaching and especially a better game-plan where he does not have to face
3rd-and-long all the times. Brandon Allen certainly holds the key to the Hogs success this year
Key Losses: None
Proj. Starters: RS Jr. Brandon Allen/Backup QB RS Fr. Austin Allen/3rd-string Fr. QB Rafe Peavey
RUNNING BACKS:
Hogs' trio of RB Johnathan Williams (900 yds), Alex Collins (1026 yds) and Korliss Marshall can be
the best trio in the nation. The trio features physicallity, field vision, and ellusiveness needed
to compete in the tough SEC. Fullback Kody Walker and Patrick Arinze will provide critical blocking
in place of departed Kiero Small who was considered one of the best FB at Arkansas.
K. Marshall really shined in camp, hoping for a great year in helping a stagnant offense
Key Losses: FB Kiero Small (151 rush yds, 19 receptions)
Proj. Starters: RB J. Williams/A. Collins
WR/TE:
The Hogs lost top WR Javontee Herdon (437 yds) and Julian Horton (141 yards) to graduation.
SR Demetrius Wilson is back after a serious injury, TE Hunter Henry (408 yds) and Jr. Keon Hatcher
(346 yds) will be the go-to guys, and provide solid veteran leadership to a young receiving corp.
Keep eyes on Jr. college transfer Kody Hollister and freshmen Jared Cornelius, JoJo Robinson and
Kendrick Edwards, as well as sophomore speedster Eric Hawkins and WR Drew Morgan. TE position
is loaded with 5 players on scholarship but not much experience to count on besides Hunter Henry
though TE Jeremy Sprinkler did well in the Fall Scrimmage catching 3 passes, 91 yds and a TD
Note: Former QB AJ Derby converted to TE and QB Damon Mitchell converted to WR
Key Losses: Javontee Herdon (31 rec., 437 yds and 4 TD)
Proj. Starters: K. Hatcher, D. Wilson, Hunter Henry
DEFENSE:
Returning starters (8): DE Trey Flowers and DT Darius Philon, LB Braylon Mitchell and Brooks Ellis,
and DBs Rohan Gaines, Will Hines, Tevin Mitchel and Alan Turner.
There was something significantly wrong with Chris Ash who has a good record as a DC at Wisconsin.
He totally bombed in his first stint at Arkansas. Besides a decent DL plays, his uninspired defense
constantly missed assignments, lined-up wrong, was so passive and loose on pass coverage.
His defense ranked #89th in the nation on Scoring Defense allowing almost 31 ppg, and ranked
#76th in Total Defense, #79th against the Rush and #73rd against the Pass.
Coming in 2014, the Hogs defense lost about a third of its defensive production, most notably the loss
of sack-specialist Chris Smith on the edge, and most of its interior run defense.
This year the Defense is more experienced and eager to capitalize on a more aggressive defensive
approach under new coordinator Robb Smith. If Spring or Fall scrimmage is any indication, expect Hogs
Defense to be much more disciplined, aggressive and much better under Smith's leadership.
DEFENSIVE LINE:
The losses of DE Chris Smith, DT Byran Jones, and DT Robert Thomas will certainly hurt the line
more than it appears, especially the interior where the Hogs was shredded by power-running teams.
DE Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise, Brandon Lewis and JaMichael Winston, should be ready to man
the outside and provide some run support. Keep eyes on Trey Flowers who has been named
to 4 different preseason watch lists.
DT Darius Philon could be on the brink for a break-out season. So. Taiwan Johnson, a DE, has been
moved to Nose Guard (at 270 lbs weight might be a concern) Jr. Demarcus Hodge 6'1"-330 lbs
will make his presence felt in the inside where it is critical in stopping the running game
Depth is provided by Tevin Beanum, Ke'Tyrus Marks and converted offensive players Grady
Ollison, Cordale Boyd, and Mitchell Loewen. Highly recruited Bijhon Jackson could be in the mix for playing time as do Fr. Anthony Brown and Armon Watts.
New DL coach Rory Segrest will be scrutinized this season as the hire was not highly rated
Key Losses: C. Smith (27.5 tackles and 8.5 sacks) R. Thomas & B. Jones (44.5 tackles and 4.5 sacks)
Proj. Starters: T. Flowers and D. Wise at Ends, D. Philon D. Hodge/T. Johnson at Tackles
LINE BACKERS:
Randy Shannon did not quite live up to the hype surrounding his hire last year. Though lack of
real talents, Randy was given quite a bit of veterans, 6 juniors and seniors, to work with but
the unit seemed to be out of place in many plays and did not provide adequate pass support.
Sr. Braylon Mitchell and Mattrell Spaight will man the outside while So. Brook Ellis, a rising star,
will be the MLB with Daunte Carr, TQ Coleman as backup.
Incoming Josh Williams, Khalia Hackett, Randy Ramsey and Dwayne Eugene will vie for backup role
The unit certainly lacks big star names but in Shannon's second year, expectation is high for the LB
to play a much more role in defending the inside run and in 3rd down passing situations.
Key Losses: Jarrett Lake (53 tackles and 1 sack) and Otha Peters to transfer
Proj. Starters: B. Ellis at MLB, B. Mitchell and M. Spaight at OLB
SECONDARY:
In 2013, Secondary played very loose, 5 to 10 yards off the receivers, sometimes even on 3rd-and-short.
They frequently allowed big chunk of yardage and never seemed to make any in-game adjustment.
All of that are going to change this year with Clay Jennings, the new Secondary coach from TCU.
Coach Jennings should have plenty to work with. The Secondary is loaded with experience this year.
Sr. Cornerback Tevin Mitchel is looking to be a leader in the group, while Sr. Carroll Washington,
Jr. Will Hines and So. Jared Collins, DJ Dean all have lot of real game experience.
Sr. Alan Turner, whose 97 tackles led the team in 2013, and junior Rohan Gaines have played together
extensively at Safety. RS freshman De'Andre Coley is being counted on for impact play, while
Jr. Davyon McKinney and Fr. Josh Liddell are among those vying for a spot in the 2-deep.
Key Losses: Eric Bennett (54 tackles and 1 interception)
Proj. Starters: T. Mitchell and Will Hines at Corner/A. Turner and R. Gaines at Safety
SPECIAL TEAM:
Special team was not very special last year, ranked #87th in the nation, even with one of the best
kickers in Zach Hocker who nailed two thirds of his Kickoffs into the end zone. The opponent's
Kickoff return ranked #111st and the Opponent's Punt return ranked #113rd in the nation.
Coach Rory Segrest is tasked with the mission to improve these poor performances, critical to
Field positions which were amplified with the Hogs' pedestrian offense.
Henson and Hedlun are battling for the Kicker position
Punting should be fine with Sr. Sam Irwin-Hill (avg. 44.3 yds per Punt)
Key Losses: Kicker Zach Hocker
SCHEDULE:
The Hogs is facing another killer schedule this year. Per Phil Steele the Hogs' schedule is ranked #3
in the nation in difficulty. Ten out of Hogs' twelve opponents this year were bowl-teams in 2013.
Hogs plays 5 road games: at Auburn/Tex Tech/Tex AM*/Miss St./ and Missouri. Four of these 5 teams
are projected in the top-30, and Texas Tech is a very high octane offense and probably underrated
Four of the 7 home games are against top-25 teams: Alabama/Georgia/LSU/and Ole Miss
PREDICTION:
An experienced and healthy QB, solid OL, great Running game, play-makers at receiving corp..,
the offense has all the pieces to be at least above average. However, no offense is going to be
thrived under Bielema until he changes his ultra-conservative, too predictable plays-calling.
The defense is going to be much better than last year under Robb Smith's leadership, and he does
have the right players for the defense to be at least average. Season-opener at Auburn will not tell
a lot about the team as Bielema will try to pull all the tricks and be very unlike-Bielema in a perceived
blow-out loss. Game at Texas Tech will certainly define the Hogs' season and true team ability/identity
Until Bielema can convince that he can win in the SEC, the Hogs is going to see another losing season
finishing 4-8 and 1-7 SEC.
at Auburn ----------- Loss
Nichol St. ----------- Win
at Tex Tech -------- Toss-Up
NIU ----------------- Win (Lost QB Jordan Lynch/top RB Cameron Stingily injury)
Tex AM* ------------ Toss-Up (Hogs always plays tough vs Tex AM/* Neutral site)
Alabama ----------- Loss
Georgia ------------ Loss
UAB ---------------- Win
at Miss St. -------- Loss
LSU ----------------- Toss-Up (Hogs always plays tough vs LSU esp. at Home)
Ole Miss ----------- Loss
at Missouri --------- Loss