I'm not an expert by any means, but here are my predictions for the 2014 Arkansas football season.
Aug.
30 – @ Auburn
For
the first time since joining the conference in 1992, Arkansas will open the
season against an SEC opponent – a very good SEC opponent at that. Auburn,
fresh off an SEC Championship and loss in the BCS National Championship game,
is favored by three touchdowns.
While
quarterback Nick Marshall won’t start for the Tigers, I expect him to play all
but the first series. That said, I believe Arkansas will play Auburn much
closer than fans and odds makers think. Brandon Allen will have more touchdown
passes than interceptions and one of the Razorbacks’ freshman wide receivers –
JoJo Robinson or Jared Cornelius – will have a breakout game.
However,
I think the Tigers will be too much for Arkansas to handle and will eventually
win by two touchdowns
Auburn
38, Arkansas 24
Sept.
6 – vs. Nicholls State
Coming
off a touch loss at Auburn, the Razorbacks will come out firing against FCS
opponent Nicholls State. Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams will probably not
play much in the second half, giving fans a chance to see what Korliss Marshall
can do.
When
it’s all set and done, Arkansas could legitimately have three 100-yard rushers
in this game. Allen will look sharp, but with the Razorbacks dominating the run
game (and the time of possession), he won’t have to throw it that much.
Fans
will be leaving Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium early, but with smiles on
their faces.
Arkansas
49, Nicholls State 7
Sept.
13 – @ Texas Tech
Auburn
will have a wide-open offense in week one, but Texas Tech will be Arkansas’
first true pass-happy offense to go up against this season.
The
Razorbacks’ secondary will be tested and while I think it will be improved, I
don’t see it stopping the Red Raiders. It would not surprise me if Arkansas
gives up 400 yards through the air.
Brandon
Allen and company won’t be able to keep up with the scoring.
Texas
Tech 52, Arkansas 24
Sept.
20 – vs. Northern Illinois
Last
year, Northern Illinois rattled off 12 straight wins before losing its last two
games – in the MAC Championship and Poinsettia Bowl – but the Huskies will be
without Heisman Trophy candidate Jordan Lynch at quarterback.
More
importantly to Arkansas, however, is the fact that Northern Illinois will have
to replace its entire front four, which should allow the Razorbacks to move the
ball on the ground. Collins, Williams and Marshall will pile up big yards
again.
The
perennial MAC powerhouse should give Arkansas a good game, but the Razorbacks
will rebound from the Texas Tech game with a win.
Arkansas
31, Northern Illinois 17
Sept.
27 – vs. Texas A&M (Arlington, Texas)
When
Arkansas and Texas A&M met in Arlington as non-conference opponents
2009-2011, the Razorbacks won all three games by an average score of 37.7-24.7,
but the last two were decided by a touchdown or less.
I
expect this year’s matchup in Jerry World to be another tight one. Allen will
have a career day, throwing for over 300 yards and three touchdowns. The loss
of Johnny Football will hurt the Aggies, but being in the state of Texas will
help them reload opposed to rebuild.
Arkansas
will pull the upset and put itself in the driver’s seat to NOT finish last in
the SEC West.
Arkansas
41, Texas A&M 35
Oct.
11 – vs. Alabama
No
more shutouts. No more 52-0 scores. But still no win.
The
Razorbacks are much better in 2014 than in the previous two years, but still
aren’t ready to hang with Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide. In two starts
against Alabama, Allen has completed fewer than 40 percent of his passes and
thrown four interceptions and no touchdowns.
That
number should increase this season and I think Allen will manage to complete
half of his passes and cross the 100-yard threshold, but the Razorbacks will
still struggle.
Alabama
45, Arkansas 13
Oct.
18 – vs. Georgia (Little Rock)
When
Georgia visits War Memorial Stadium, it will bring along All-SEC running back
and Heisman Trophy candidate Todd Gurley.
The
Bulldogs also have a very strong defense that includes All-SEC Ramik Wilson, as
well as three other players selected to the preseason All-SEC teams at SEC
Media Days. That means it will be a long day for Collins, Williams, Marshall
and Allen.
Barring
injuries or several more arrests, Georgia should beat the Razorbacks handedly.
Georgia
38, Arkansas 10
Oct.
25 – vs. UAB
After
back-to-back games against SEC powers Alabama and Georgia, UAB will be a breath
of fresh air for Arkansas.
The
Blazers’ 2013 season ended in a 62-27 loss to a Southern Miss team that had
lost its previous 23 games. Allen and the three-headed attack at running back
will have a chance to break records in their final non-conference game of the
season.
The
Razorbacks should cruise to an easy victory and possibly post their first
shutout since a 20-0 win over Utah State in 2006.
Arkansas
38, UAB 0
Nov.
1 – @ Mississippi State
The
Bulldogs are a very experienced team with a Heisman Trophy dark-horse candidate
at quarterback, Dak Prescott.
Last
year, Arkansas had a chance to beat Mississippi State in regulation, but a
Collins fumble allowed the game to go to overtime and the rest is history. I
think Collins redeems himself with one of his best games of the season, with
150-plus yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Collins
won’t be able to do it all by himself, though, and the Razorbacks lose a tough
one.
Mississippi
State 28, Arkansas 24
Nov.
15 – vs. LSU
The
schedule lines up nicely for the Razorbacks this game. LSU will be coming off
of its game against Alabama, while Arkansas will be coming off of a bye week.
Leonard
Fournette has been hyped as a super star running back, but I think the true
freshman will be a little roughed up after playing the Crimson Tide. Trey
Flowers, Darius Philon and the rest of Arkansas’ defensive line will do its
part to put the freshman in his place.
Of
course, the Tigers always have a great defense, so fans could be in for a
defensive struggle. I think LSU will eventually prevail.
LSU
24, Arkansas 13
Nov.
22 – vs. Ole Miss
With
bowl eligibility on the line, the Razorbacks will be fired up to play the
Rebels.
However,
Ole Miss could be in the same position and will also be ready to play, meaning
fans could be in for a classic shootout. I see at least one special teams
touchdown and another good performance from Allen. Ole Miss quarterback Bo
Wallace will also having a good game.
I
doubt this game will be decided in four quarters, but Arkansas will pull out
the win in overtime.
Arkansas
41, Ole Miss 38 (OT)
Nov.
28 – @ Missouri
Arkansas
will need a win at Missouri the day after Thanksgiving to earn a bowl berth.
The Tigers surprised the country with their breakout season in 2013 and will
take a step back in 2014, but will still be a contender in the SEC East.
Maty
Mauk will be a full-time starting quarterback for the first time, but he got
plenty of experience because of James Franklin’s injury last year. Allen will
end the season on a high note, with 250 yards and two touchdowns through the
air, but it won’t be enough for Arkansas.
No
bowl game for the third straight year.
Missouri
31, Arkansas 24
RECORD:
5-7 (2-6)
Stats
(difference from last year)
Points
per game (based on predictions): 27.7 (+7)
Points
allowed per game (based on predictions): 29.4 (-1.4)
Brandon
Allen: 55% completion percentage (+5.4%), 2,250 yards (+698), 20 TD (+7), 12
int. (+2)
Alex
Collins: 1,225 yards (+199), 11 TD (+7)
Jonathan
Williams: 975 yards (+75), 8 TD (+4)
Korliss
Marshall: 650 yards (+504), 4 TD (+4)
Receiving:
Four players will have 400+ receiving yards (+2)
Total
yards per game: 425 (+67.8)
Total
yards allowed per game: 395 (-18.4)
Postseason
recognition
All-SEC
(as I voted at media days): Alex Collins (second team), Hunter Henry (first
team), Trey Flowers (first team), Darius Philon (second team), Sam Irwin-Hill
(first team)*
*I
only voted for two teams, while three teams are recognized. My guess is that
Philon will actually be third team All-SEC.
Freshman
All-SEC: Jared Cornelius, Cole Hedlund, Bijhon Jackson, Frank Ragnow
Breakout
player
Enrolling
for the spring semester has proven to help college football players
tremendously when it comes to learning the playbook and adjusting to college
life.
I
believe that is especially true for Jared Cornelius. While JoJo Robinson,
Kendrick Edwards and Cody Hollister have received a lot of praise as incoming
wide receivers, I think Cornelius will have the best year.
During
spring practice, I noticed him hanging around Keon Hatcher, the veteran leader
of the wide receivers. He would stretch with Hatcher and make sure he was near
the front of lines with Hatcher. These seem like small things, but they are
small things coaches love.
That’s
why, in my opinion, Cornelius is primed for a breakout year for the Razorbacks.
