As we sit here in June, how many of you would be happy with six wins, and the extra practice time that comes with going to any bowl?  I hate to say it, but my hand is raised too.  Just like in craps though, rolling six the hard way isn’t easy.

Anytime you start over, put in new schemes, throw in a rookie quarterback, there’s going to be a learning curve filled with growing pains.  And sometimes that’s tough to watch.  But Bret Bielema is approaching it the right way – win one day, one practice, one game, one play at a time.  There is something greater out there — it just may take him a while to get there.

“I can’t wait to stand in front of you and be the favorite.  Right now we’re going to embrace being the underdog.” — Bret Bielema at his introductory press conference December 5, 2012.

According to Phil Steele, Bielema will get plenty of chances to play that underdog role in 2013.  Steele has the Hogs playing the second toughest schedule in the country — mostly a by-product of playing in the SEC West.

Even in the down years in the SEC, though, Arkansas has always found a way to win two conference games.  With home games against Auburn and Mississippi State being the two best opportunities, that trend has a chance to continue.  Two non-conference games versus Southern Miss (0-12 last season) and Samford should be walks.  Louisiana-Lafayette and star quarterback Terrance Broadway will not be an easy out (think Kolton Browning and ULM last year), but the Hogs should be favored to win that one at home.

That leaves us with Rutgers on September 21 — an early season road contest that, barring an upset in October, likely will be the swing game between five and six wins.

The Scarlet Knights return only 10 starters from a team that finished 9-4 in 2012.  Their 35-26 win in Fayetteville last year made it clear how competitive the Hogs would be the rest of the way.

On offense, Rutgers returns quarterback Gary Nova (2,695 PaYds, 22 TDs in 2012) and 6-6 All-American candidate Brandon Coleman (718 RecYds, 10TDs in 2012) at wide receiver.  Both torched the Razorbacks last year, as Nova tossed for career highs (397 PaYds and 5TDs), while Coleman caught six for 89 yards and 2 TDs.

Coleman, who’s size makes him a tough target to defend in the red zone, decided to return for one more year with Nova and is hoping a healthy season will boost his draft stock for 2014.

On defense, though, it’s a different story.  Only four starters return as the Scarlet Knights find themselves starting over a bit.  Stud linebacker Khaseem Greene is gone to the NFL — drafted in the 4th round by the Bears.  In fact, Rutgers had 5 players off that defense get drafted:  two linebackers and three from the secondary.  They will be not look the same on that side of the ball in 2013.

Keep a close eye on RU and see how they start the season.  If the Hogs are to have a legitimate shot at a bowl, that game in Piscataway, New Jersey might be the one that swings the pendulum for Bielema’s first squad.

Over the next couple of weeks as we approach SEC Media Days (July 16-18), we thought we’d take a quick look at the SEC’s best when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.  Solid quarterback play was one of the reasons Alabama was able to capture back-to-back National Championships — the league’s seventh straight.

While the Hogs are starting over at quarterback, most SEC teams are not searching for their man at the position.  Nine of the fourteen teams have last year’s starter returning, two more (Arkansas and Vanderbilt) named a starter after spring ball.  The other three (Auburn, Kentucky and Tennessee) have quarterback battles that will carry over into fall camp.

Here’s the RBN take on how the SEC’s 2013 trigger men stack up.

1.  Johnny Manziel, Sophomore, Texas A&M (3,706 PaYds, 26 TDs, 1,410 RuYds, 21 TDs in 2012) – Wow…what a season.  Manziel emerged as the starter in fall camp and took the college football world by storm.  His 5,116 total yards and 47 touchdowns set SEC records and were enough to make him the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.  With key losses in the Aggie offensive line, can ‘Johnny Football’ give an encore performance in 2013?

2.  A.J. McCarron, Senior, Alabama (2,933 PaYds, 30 TDs, 3 Ints in 2012) – The most important stat for McCarron are those two National Championship trophies he has helped bring to Tuscaloosa.  McCarron is the perfect quarterback for Saban, as he will not beat his team by turning the ball over – only three interceptions in 2012.  Last year he was asked to do more and he delivered, raising his TDs from 16 to 30.  With talented wide receivers like Amari Cooper and Chris Black, he might top those numbers in 2013.

3.  Aaron Murray, Senior, Georgia (3,893 PaYds, 36 TDs, 10 Ints in 2012) – We had Murray and McCarron flipped-flopped in this list last year.  Back-to-back BCS championships will do that.  Experts will tell you Murray made a mistake coming back for his senior year, as he would have been the number one quarterback taken in the draft.  Stud running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall should help take the heat off of Murray and give the Bulldogs an explosive offense again.

4.  Bo Wallace, Junior, Ole Miss (2,994 PaYds, 22 TDs, 17 Ints in 2012) – Wallace had his ups and downs in his first journey through an SEC schedule.  Head coach Hugh Freeze’s offense proved to be high octane when Wallace was throwing it to Rebels.  With the signing of 5-star wide receiver Laquon Treadwell to go along with All-SEC receiver Donte Moncrief (979 yards, 10 TDs in 2012), we think Wallace will improve incrementally in 2013.

5.  Connor Shaw, Senior (1,956 PaYds, 17 TDs in 2012) and Dylan Thompson, Junior (1,027 PaYds, 10 TDs in 2012), South Carolina – With Connor Shaw being dinged up virtually the whole season last year, Dylan Thompson showed to be a more than adequate backup.  Combined the two threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns.  And if reports out of Columbia this spring are true, we will likely see a two-headed QB for 2013.

6.  Tyler Russell, Senior, Mississippi State (2,897 PaYds, 24 TDs, 10 Ints in 2012) – Russell thrived in Dan Mullen’s system last year, setting career highs across the board.  After the Cowbells started 7-0, hopes were high in Starkville.  Losing five of their last six though — including to Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl — left a bad taste for Bulldog fans.  The lack of an elite supporting cast will likely put a ceiling on Russell’s numbers in his final campaign.

7.  Jeff Driskel, Junior, Florida (1,646 PaYds, 12 TDs, 5 Ints in 2012) – Driskel struggled to put it all together in 2012.  While he proved to be a dangerous runner, the former number one ranked high school quarterback failed to threaten defenses with his arm.  With former Gator QB Jacoby Brissett transferring to North Carolina State, Driskel won’t have to look over his shoulder anymore.  2,400+ yards and 20 TDs aren’t out of reach in 2013.

8.  Zach Mettenberger, Senior, LSU (2,609 PaYds, 12 TDs, 7 Ints in 2012) – We thought Mettenberger would have shown a little better last year, but like most quarterbacks the first time through the SEC slate, it wasn’t all roses.  Les Miles seemed reluctant to put the game into Mettenberger’s hands, choosing to ‘ground and pound’ instead.  Look for more of the same this season.

9.  James Franklin, Senior, Missouri (1,562 PaYds, 10 TDs in 2012) – Franklin fought injuries during Mizzou’s first year in the SEC.  The dual-threat playmaker found SEC defenses not as forgiving as the Big 12, and managed to play in only nine games as a result.  With the freak WR Dorial Green-Beckham (6-6, 220. 4.5) primed for a breakout sophomore season, the Tigers and Franklin need to show improvement or Gary Pinkel may be the first ex-coach analyst on the new SEC Network.

10. Austyn Carta-Samuels, Senior, Vanderbilt (208 PaYds, TD in 2012) – After racking up 3,655 passing yards and 19 TDs in his first two years at Wyoming, Carta-Samuels transferred to Vandy and backed up Jordan Rodgers last season.  ACS is a scrambler that can extend plays.  He is a career 60 percent passer that should fare well with James Franklin’s unpredictable approach.

11. Brandon Allen, Sophomore, Arkansas (186 PaYds, TD, 3 Ints in 2012) – Given Allen’s shaky performances when given a chance last year, some may be surprised to see him this high on our list.  Had the previous regime had the good sense to give him some game experience in lopsided losses, we might be feeling better about Allen’s learning curve in 2013.  In the spring, Allen showed average arm strength, but proved accurate in the short passing game.  Can he throw the ball downfield well enough to keep defenses from loading the box to stop Bret Bielema’s rushing attack?  To be determined.

12. Max Smith (975 PaYds, 8 TDs in 2012) or Jalen Whitlow (801 PaYds, 3 TDs) or Patrick Towles (233 PaYds, TD), Kentucky – One of the three quarterback battles going into the fall, new coach Mark Stoops will have to decide how he wants to go.  Smith is a pure passer that has proven to be accurate when healthy.  Whitlow has great athleticism and can make plays with his feet.  Given a suspect offensive line, Whitlow is the early line favorite to win the job.

13. Kiehl Frazier, Junior (753 PaYds, 2 TDs, 8 Ints in 2012) or Jonathan Wallace, Sophomore (720 PaYds, 4 TDs, 4 Ints), Auburn – Frazier has the inside track to win this job in the fall, as the former Shiloh Christian quarterback reunites with new head coach Gus Malzahn.  Frazier was just plain awful a year ago, losing playing time to then true freshman Wallace.  If Gus can turn either of these guys into a serviceable starter, we’ll be impressed.

14. Justin Worley, Junior (134 PaYds, 2 Ints in 2012) or Nathan Peterman, Freshman, Tennessee – Worley looks to be the guy here after subbing in for an injured Tyler Bray for three games in 2011.  He saw little action last season, but by all accounts had a good spring.  It wasn’t good enough to be named the starter by new head coach Butch Jones, though.  Regardless, Worley and Peterman are just keeping the seat warm until incoming freshmen Joshua Dobbs or Riley Ferguson are ready.

Next time, we’ll take a look at the SEC’s best running backs for 2013.

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas falls to Kansas State, 4-3

The No. 15 Arkansas baseball team saw its season come to an end on Sunday night as the Razorbacks dropped a 4-3 decision to No. 17 Kansas State in the regional final of the Manhattan Regional at Tointon Family Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas downs Bryant to reach regional final, Box Score (PDF) – Bryant, Kansas State; Post-game Press Conference (Video) - Bryant, Kansas State
• WholeHogSports.com: Arkansas tosses away final game, Arkansas scores 12, avoids elimination

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas stays alive with 3-1 win

The 15th-ranked Arkansas baseball team eliminated Wichita State from the NCAA Tournament on Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 victory in the Manhattan Regional.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Post-game Press Conference (Video)
• WholeHogSports.com: Stanek, Arkansas top Wichita State 3-1
• Robbie Neiswanger: Arkansas Avoids Elimination Behind Stanek’s Strong Start, Lineup Shuffle Pays Off; Suggs Sets New Saves Mark

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas drops NCAA Tourney opener to Bryant

The 15th-ranked Arkansas baseball team dropped a 4-1 decision to Bryant on Friday night in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament at Tointon Family Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Post-game Press Conference (Video)
• WholeHogSports.com: Bryant beats Arkansas in first round
• Robbie Neiswanger: Offensive Woes Prove Costly In Opening-Round Loss, Wildcats Batter Shockers; No Support For Astin

The 15th-ranked University of Arkansas baseball team has been selected as the No. 2 seed in the Manhattan Regional and will face No. 3 seed Bryant on Friday, May 31, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Seeding

1. Kansas State (41-17)
2. Arkansas (37-20)
3. Bryant (44-16-1)
4. Wichita State (39-26)

Also:

• NCAA.com: DI field of 64 announced for regional play, Interactive Bracket, Printable Bracket (PDF)
• Matt Jones: Arkansas heading to Kansas State for NCAA Regional

This is a developing story that will be updated soon.  You can also get the latest breaking Razorback news by following @RazorBloggers on Twitter.

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas eliminated from SEC Tournament

Christian Ibarra went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while five LSU pitchers combined to allow one unearned run and one hit as No. 2 LSU defeated No. 15 Arkansas, 3-1, in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament.

Also:

•  ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video), Post-game Press Conference (Video)
• SEC Digital Network: LSU 1-Hitter Propels Tigers Into Championship Game, Game Highlights (Video)
• WholeHogSports.com: LSU one-hits, eliminates Arkansas

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas downs LSU to advance to semifinals

Arkansas starting pitcher Ryne Stanek allowed one unearned run and struck out four over eight strong innings, while Tyler Spoon and Matt Vinson each had three hits as No. 15 Arkansas defeated No. 2 LSU, 4-1, on Thursday night at the SEC Baseball Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF)
• SEC Digital Network: Arkansas Advances To SEC Tournament Semifinals, Game Highlights (Video)
• WholeHogSports.com: Arkansas advances to semifinals

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas Opens SEC Tournament With 2-1 Win

The 15th-ranked Arkansas baseball team used a walk off wild pitch in the 10th inning to defeat No. 21 Ole Miss, 2-1, on Wednesday morning in the Razorbacks’ first game of the 2013 Southeastern Conference Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video), Post-game Press Conference (Video)
• SEC Digital Network: Arkansas Eases Past Ole Miss In 10th Inning, Game Highlights (Video)
• WholeHogSports.com: Hogs top Rebels in 10 innings

Blake Austin drove in three runs, while Jordan Ebert went 3-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored as Auburn defeated No. 13 Arkansas, 11-6, in the regular season finale on Saturday afternoon at Plainsman Park.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF)

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas evens series with 1-0 shutout win

Ryne Stanek, Jalen Beeks and Colby Suggs combined on a six-hit shutout as No. 13 Arkansas evened its series at Auburn with a 1-0 win on Friday night at Plainsman Park.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video), Post-game Press Conference (Video)

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas falls in series opener at Auburn

Conner Kendrick and Terrance Dedrick combined on a five-hit shutout as Auburn defeated No. 13 Arkansas, 3-0, in the series opener on Thursday night at Plainsman Park.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video), Post-game Press Conference (Video)

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas clinches series with Senior Day win

Seniors Randall Fant and Matt Vinson made their last regular season start at Baum Stadium a memorable one on Sunday as the two seniors led No. 14 Arkansas to a series-clinching 10-2 win over Tennessee at Baum Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video)
• Matt Jones: Big inning propels Hogs’ rout
• Logan Wilson: Arkansas Secures Weekend Series With Senior Day Win

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Razorbacks even series with 11-1 win

Brian Anderson went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a homer and three RBI, while Ryne Stanek worked seven shutout innings as No. 14 Arkansas evened its series against Tennessee with an 11-1 win on Saturday night at Baum Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video)
• Logan Wilson: Hogs score in every inning to even series
• Robbie Neiswanger: Stanek, Anderson Help Razorbacks Even Series

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas drops series opener to Tennessee

Ethan Bennett had three hits and drove in five runs, while Zack Godley struck out eight and allowed three runs in his fifth complete game of the series as Tennessee defeated No. 14 Arkansas, 8-3, in the series opener on Friday night at Baum Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Game Stats (PDF), Game Highlights (Video), Post-game Press Conference (Video)
• Logan Wilson: Hogs allow season-high 8 runs in loss to Vols
• Robbie Neiswanger: Vols Batter Arkansas Staff In Game One Win

With just two conference series remaining (Tennessee, at Auburn), the Razorbacks (32-16 overall, 15-8 SEC) have a chance to finish strong, and might just grab one of the last couple of Regional host sites in the NCAA tournament.

The Razorbacks have won seven of their last eight games and the main reason, without a doubt, is their bullpen.  The relievers have been almost untouchable over that stretch, giving up only three earned runs in the last 26.2 innings of work (1.01 ERA).

Left-hander Jalen Beeks (5-1, 1.87 ERA, 2 Saves) has been stellar all year, but the mid-season surge made by fellow left-hander Michael Gunn (1-0, 0.37, 1 Save) has been amazing.

Gunn’s velocity and control have been tremendous.  Hitters have not been able to touch his hard breaking stuff for the last month.  His strikeouts (30) to innings pitched (24.1) ratio is the best on the team.

Those two, coupled with veterans Brandon Moore (1.36 ERA, 39.2 IP) and Trent Daniel (1.29 ERA, 21 IP, 21 Ks) have been plenty to set the table for closer Colby Suggs (1.72 ERA, 10 Saves).

“We have experienced pitching and experienced players, guys who went through it last year in our run at the end all the way to the World Series.  Almost every game we won was a one-run game, especially in the regional and super regional.  I think they were all one-run games except for maybe one.  We’re used to it.” – Dave Van Horn

Without question this Razorback team, more than any other Van Horn team, is built for the postseason.  You take that pitching staff into a three or four-game weekend tournament, and they will be lights out.

And while we continue to think that hitting coach Todd Butler is a boat anchor around Van Horn’s neck, nobody is hitting the ball in college baseball these days — the NCAA has made sure to legislate that out of the game.  The nationwide batting average is down roughly 30 points from last year.

The Hogs are hitting .263 (11th in the SEC), but somehow average 5.0 runs per game.  Van Horn can play small ball with the best of them and manufacture enough runs by bunting, hitting-and-running, stealing a base, or squeezing a run home every once in a while.

Bottom line — if nobody can hit, the team with the best pitching has a great shot to win and advance.  And this year, my friends, that’s the Razorbacks.  Enjoy the ride.  See you at the Baum!

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas clinches series with 5-3 win

Brian Anderson and Tyler Spoon each hit a two-run homer as No. 14 Arkansas defeated No. 23 Kentucky 5-3 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas drops finale to Kentucky, 4-3, Box Score (PDF) — Game 1, Game 2; Game Highlights (Video) — Game 1, Game 2; Post-game Press Conference (Video)

ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Arkansas downs Kentucky in series opener, 2-1

Jake Wise hit his third home run of the season, while five Arkansas pitchers combined to hold Kentucky to one run as the No. 14 Razorbacks defeated the 23rd-ranked Wildcats, 2-1, in the series opener on Friday night at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF), Game Highlights (Video), Post-game Press Conference (Video)

The No. 14 Arkansas baseball team concluded nonconference play on Tuesday night at Baum Stadium with a 6-3 win over Missouri State.

Also:

• ArkansasRazorbacks.com: Box Score (PDF)
• Logan Wilson: Diamond Hogs win nonconference finale 6-3
• Robbie Neiswanger: Eight Pitchers Help Arkansas To Midweek Win

Four former Razorbacks and 13 players coached by current members of the Arkansas coaching staff were drafted during the 2013 NFL Draft, held over a three-day period at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Also:

• Logan Wilson: Four Hogs selected in 2013 NFL draft, Davis drafted by Chiefs in the third round
• Robbie Neiswanger: Kansas City Grabs Davis In Third Round, KC Coach Andy Reid on Knile Davis
• Robbie Neiswanger: Wilson Selected By Oakland In Fourth Round, Wilson Speaks With Oakland Media, Gragg On Being Drafted By Buffalo, Bengals Grab Hamilton In Sixth Round