Arkansas Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

Arkansas Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

I’m led to believe that the offense will be a bit better than a season ago. Arkansas’ offense was predicated around Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins in the run game, and didn’t showcase much of a passing game. But this year I think you’ll see a better Razorback offense.

Arkansas’ success all comes down to Brandon Allen and the passing game. He has a few more options this season including 2013 All-SEC Freshman selection Hunter Henry at tight end and an explosive weapon in running back Korliss Marshall. Allen will also have WR Demetrius Wilson back from an ACL injury suffered a season ago.

DEFENSE

Arkansas’ defense is intriguing this season. On the defensive line they return All-SEC selection Trey Flowers, but have to find the pieces to replace three departing seniors, including Chris Smith. Hog fans are optimistic sophomore DE Deatrich Wise can make an impact opposite Flowers on the line. He had five sacks in the spring game. If there is a strength of this defense, it will again be on the line.

But the rest of the defense remains a question mark. With only five linebackers on the roster, depth is a serious issue. And in the secondary, Bret Bielema hopes the upperclassmen can up their game and provide some leadership. Senior Tevin Mitchel has been battling injury this spring, and hopes to return to full strength and make an impact in the back end in his final go around.

I’m optimistic Arkansas’ defense will be better this season. I think the defensive unit is buying in to new defensive coordinator Robb Smith.

Arkansas DE Trey Flowers

Better, worse or about the same in 2014?

It’s interesting, because I believe Arkansas will see improvement on both sides of the football, but also that another 3-9 season is staring them in the face. It has been well noted that the Razorbacks will be playing the toughest schedule in the country next season based on the W-L record of their opponents in 2013.

I think Arkansas will see some improvements on each side of the ball, but I’m afraid another 3-9 season is in the works.

Scottie Bordelon of Arkansas Fight provided the information for our Arkansas Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Arkansas football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Scottie on Twitter @gsbordelon.

Arkansas Football 2014 – Better, Worse or about the Same?

OFFENSE

It’s hard to logically think that the Razorbacks offense can be any worse than they were last year. Even though most Arkansas fans hate it, Brandon Allen will once again be the starting quarterback for the 2014 season. With the loss of Travis Swanson at Center, it will be up to the underclassmen to give Allen the time he needs to find the receiving core, which does not make the fans feel very good, as well.

However, the shining part of the offense will undoubtedly be the triple-attack of running backs including Alex Collins, Jonathan Williams, and Korliss Marshall. With tight ends Hunter Henry and former QB backup, A.J. Derby, there should definitely be plays that make the Hogs more of a contender in games than they were last year.

Arkansas RB Alex Collins

DEFENSE

Much like the offense, the defense must be better this year. How much better is the question? Thankfully, Trey Flowers decided to come back this year, but the loss of Chris Smith at Defensive End will definitely hurt.

I do believe the D-line will be decent, but the big question is still the linebackers. The first game of the season will be against the 2013 NCAA Runners-Up, the Auburn Tigers. Besides the Gus Malzahn/Bret Bielema HUNH storyline, the real thing to look forward to is how the Razorback defense can handle the potential passing game of the Tigers. There’s been big talk from new Defensive Coordinator Robb Smith, but until the Hogs take the field, I’ll wait to see it to believe it. I have a feeling we’ll be more competitive, but that’s not saying much after a winless SEC season last year.

Better, worse or about the same in 2014?

This team HAS to be better overall. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t be. Most fans know this season the team will continue to struggle. However, now that the reality of where this team truly is has settled in, most are only looking for progress. Brandon Allen must show progress with his passing and mental games. The wide-receivers must give Allen a target to throw to. The defense has to get into the backfield and rush the quarterback and cause disruptions. This team needs to feel they can compete with every team. After what this team has been through the past few years, you can give a mulligan for so long. However, this year the only thing on their mind and ours as fans is “progress.”

It’s hard to predict how well this team will do after the Spring game that gave more questions than answers. Plus, with the hardest schedule in all of the NCAA, it’s hard not to predict a win/loss record that’s on point with what the Hogs had last year. However, I think the Hogs can surprise a few teams this year, like we almost did against the LSU Tigers in the final game of the season. My prediction is they will be able to get at least 2 SEC wins and most of their non-conference schedule. I would love to say 6 wins, but I’m sticking with 5-7. Progress.

Adam Peterson of Arkansas Fight provided the information for our Arkansas Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up. For more Arkansas football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Adam on Twitter @HogTroughFC.