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LoftisIt’s a little more than three weeks now until the University of Arkansas kicks off its 2024 football season.
Probably, Sam Pittman’s professional future hangs in the balance as the Razorbacks take on a rugged — isn’t it always? — 12-game schedule.
I tend to be optimistic in assessing Arkansas’ chances each preseason. Some of that, honestly, is understanding my audience. A bunch of rabid Hog fans don’t want me to say they’re going to be 4-8 — even if I suspect they might be, which I really didn’t at this time a year ago. I tend to give Arkansas the benefit of the doubt, which is why I predicted a 7-5 finish last season, with the hope that they’d somehow get over the Texas A&M jinx and go 8-4.
The Hogs have some new faces this year — most notably transfer quarterback Taylen Green — and one familiar face that’s returning from exile — offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Anyone who really knows football, though, will tell you that games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and that is mostly an unknown commodity for these Razorbacks. Arkansas’ offensive line was awful last year, so the departure of three full-time and one part-time starter isn’t necessarily bad news.
Landon Jackson returns to anchor Arkansas’ defensive front, but the transfer portal hurt the Razorbacks on that side of the ball.
Arkansas lost five games by seven points or less last fall. That’s not great luck, but good teams find a way to win close games.
Arkansas opens the season Aug. 29 against UAPine Bluff in Little Rock. In a former life, I covered the Golden Lions (who played for a national championship 30 years ago) and I still hope they do well. But Arkansas should win that game in a rout. They also should be too much for Alabama-Birmingham too weeks later in Fayetteville. A Sept. 7 game at Oklahoma State will tell us a lot.
After UAB, it’s time for the SEC schedule. I’m going to pick Arkansas to beat Texas A&M — because it has to happen one of these years — Mississippi State and Missouri. Throw in a win over Louisiana Tech in a Nov. 23 nonconference game and the Hogs close on a two-game winning streak to get to 6-6 and a bowl game. But remember, I said I’m always optimistic. If things so sideways, this might be Pittman’s last year in Fayetteville.
On a side note, watch out for Ole Miss. That team is loaded, and it isn’t just hype.
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