Over the next several weeks, many of the College Football pre-season publications will be hitting the newsstands, making their selections for conference and national champions. No doubt guys like Phil Steele and others look for who’s got the best players and team, but they also put a lot of stock into who has the “most manageable” schedule.
Last season, the Hogs had arguably one of the toughest road schedules in the country. At Alabama, at Florida, at Ole Miss, and at LSU usually gets the coach fired.
This season, trading Florida for Vanderbilt, catching Georgia early as they break in a new quarterback, and getting to host Alabama and LSU gives the Hogs a chance to make some noise in 2010. The “tide has turned”….in more ways than one.
Much was made earlier this spring when Alabama first realized that six of their eight SEC opponents had a bye week the week before they played the Tide. How could this be? I mean, it’s Alabama after all. Did Commissioner Mike Slive and Associate Commissioner Charles Bloom forget who’s in charge???
Especially as the season wears on, bye weeks are big. A chance to heal, rest, and spend more time preparing for your opponent are just a few of the advantages bye weeks bring. For example, while the Hogs get their legs back in Week 5, Texas A&M has to tangle with Oklahoma State before travelling to Dallas to face the Razorbacks on October 9.
There’s no guarantees that these teams coming off byes will perform better. Bama was going to get everybody’s best shot this year anyway. That “bulls eye” comes with winning the National Championship. But still – as far as schedule goes – advantage Arkansas.
It’s funny, and forgive us if we chuckle a bit, when we see even Georgia State, who is starting their inaugural season playing football in 2010, scheduled a bye just before the Crimson Tide too!!!
Despite the SEC’s recent statement on the matter, they continue to try and finagle something for the Crimson Tide. It’s unlikely that anything can be shuffled around at this late date, but we bet this never happens again.
So for those of you looking for the stars to align when it comes to the Razorbacks 2010 chances, here’s some ammunition for you. As far as the schedule goes…you couldn’t lay it out much better than this.
wah! Cry me a river, bama. I know they'll get at least one conference win in that stretch as everyone knows that the coach at mississippi can't win the game following an open date…and I don't think there's much to worry about with Georgia State having an open date prior to playing the crying tide.
Wow Sunshine, this might be the year to earn that nickname. I had no idea it worked out so well.
We have labored up hill for two years, playing youngsters against the toughest schedule in America. Hard to believe it can all change in one year. Not only does our schedule set up beautifully, our main rival is behind the eight ball. I have to admit, I am very curious to see what Saban can do to repeat. They are loaded. I just hope they don't lose to Penn St.
How can Vandy and SCar be previous weeks opponents each way? Doesn't the next game take place one week later?
I think SCar plays Tenn, which is even better.
GolfHog, South Carolina plays Tennessee prior to Arkanas.
Bottom line in this whole discussion is that Alabama's schedule has almost ZERO impact to Arkansas. Why? The Arkansas/Alabama game is too early in the schedule to assist us at all. If we don't be Alabama, we can forget about playing for an SEC championship. I don't see Alabama losing 2 games so the head-to-head will be the key!
Obviously the Bama game is critical for our SEC hopes. However, Bama has a legitimate chance to lose 3 games – against us, LSU and Auburn. Playing Auburn at the end of the season will be incredibly tough for Bama, even at home.
The other critical game for us is Auburn. With what they have coming back and us going to their house may be our toughest game of the season. Our defense will have to really step it up for us to have any chance…or maybe it will be a shootout
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I think a 1 or 2 loss team could win the West this year.
No doubt. And, Bama plays Florida. I know Saban will have a field day with freshman QB.
It should be noted that Auburn's schedule is favorable like ours. The Auburn game will be as important to our Championship chances as Alabama. I would disagree with Owasso that if you lose to Bama, you're done. I think this 'bye week problem' is a big deal…and I think Bama knows it.
What are the chances that Alabama beats Arkansas and then loses TWO other non-conference games??? All I'm saying is that it's close (if not) 0% chance. I just don't see it happening (with the information we have today). Now… as the season begins… with injuries and such, I could change my perspectivve but right now… it's ALL about the Alabama game for both us and them.
Owasso, I think the chances are definintely there.
Alabama may be very overrated going into the season. They lost A LOT of talent on the defensive side. If they have underclassmen that can step up, they'll be in great shape with a prolific offense. If not, as we personally found out last year you can have a fantastic offense but defense wins championships. If Bama can't put an effective defense on the field they will have big problems with us, LSU, Auburn, and potentially South Carolina and Miss State (yes I went there).
The same can be said for us and Auburn. If our defense can improve more than Auburn and Bama, I like our chances.
This should be a nailbiting season, as it appears there will be more parity in the SEC – particularly in the West – than we have seen in a long time. Hopefully that will mean a 1 loss SEC champion will be in the Nat'l Championship.
Soupdhog, that's exactly why we actually play the games. I can totally see a one loss team winning a championship… but if we lose to Alabama, I just don't see it being us.
This should be a fun season to watch out this plays out.
No doubt, 'Bama is still the team to beat, but with the losses on defense, leadership is key, especially on the road, which doesn't bode well for a team with a great big target on their chest.
Talent will only go so far without leadership IMO.
Another thing that has to be figured in here is Auburn's chances in the West and SC's in the East. If you look at their schedules, hypothetically, with how improved both of those squads could end up being, they both have a good shot in their respective divisions.
Look at their schedules and I think you will see most of their toughest games are at home.
Auburn has to travel to Miss. St. early in the season, which may be a better time to catch those guys than when the UofA will later in the season.
That game has letdown written all over it for the Hogs.
SC catches Georgia early on like the Hogs and the rest of their schedule is favorable.
I think we catch Auburn on the road at a very bad time. We've had some luck down there in past years, both with HDN and CBP, but like the Hogs, this could very well be their year to shine. I sure do hope i'm wrong about those guys.
Our biggest SEC game of the year (IMO) is the Georgia game. Why?
Because it's our first real test of the season and it's in Athens.
If we win that one, confidence will be sky high coming back home for 'Bama.
If we lose, i'm afraid the confidence level could suffer a bit and cause us to lose focus before that very important clash with the Tide.
I would much rather go into that 2 week layoff before the A&M game at either 4-0 or 3-1, compared to 2-2.
That would cause the Auburn game to put that much more pressure on our kids to win.
Does anyone else see were i'm going with this? Yes, that's right, IMO the Georgia game is the big one!
Gonzo, great analysis. I agree with you – the Georgia game is a big one for us to set the tone for our SEC season. It won't be an easy game down in Athens.
You can bet CBP has this one circled and is driving this point home to the players.
BTW, I just reserved 2 rooms at the Marriott near the Georgia Dome Dec 3-5. Hope I didn't jinx us….