| College Football Predictions 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks |
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| Written by Jeff Alexander | |||||||
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Wednesday, 02 July 2008
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 Razorbacks fans will likely see their pride and joy in an unfamiliar spot this season – last place in the SEC West. It doesn't appear that the Hogs will be able to make up for the losses of their top three offensive players: Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Marcus Monk. SportsBetting.com has the Arkansas Razorbacks listed at 100 to 1 odds to win the 2009 BCS Championship. With the hiring of head coach Bobby Petrino, you can be assured that offensive production will soon be on the way. Find out how College Football Predictions Expert Jeff Alexander sees this rebuilding season shaking out in his 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks predictions for Point-Spreads.com.Offense - Arkansas' offense is going to look completely different under Bobby Petrino than it did under Houston Nutt as Petrino is a pass first guy. Petrino is convinced that his proven passing attack will work in the SEC. The problem is that it likely can't work well this year because the talent is down after losing three key offensive players. Receivers London Crawford, Carlton Salters, Marques Wade, and Lucas Miller have not proven themselves as big play guys, but they certainly will get more opportunities under Petrino. Senior Casey Dick will be the starting QB, but Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett is talented and will be waiting to step in next year. Dick will be asked to do much more than hand the ball off in Petrino's offense so it will be interesting to see how he does. There will undoubtedly be growing pains attached. Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett are both quick scat backs, but Petrino thinks that their size and durability could be problems. Rimington Award winning center Jonathan Luigs and guard Michael Petrus anchor the line. Defense - The Razorbacks lost all four of their starting defensive backs so there is going to be an adjustment period for the replacements. The linebacker corps of Jerry Franklin, Elston Forte, and Ryan Powers must prove itself as well. Arkansas does have speed up front and that will help out its inexperienced defensive backfield. Defensive ends Adrian Davis and Damario Ambrose are one of the better duos in the conference. Malcolm Sheppard is a player that never takes a snap off in the inside. Starting tackles Ernest Mitchell and Marcus Shavers both missed spring drills due to injury rehabilitation but they should be ready to go this fall. Special Teams - Alex Tejada was very good for the Razors last season making 17 of 23 field goals with his longest at 47 yards. He'll take over the kickoff duties as well this season. The kick return spot will go to Michael Smith and punt return duties could go to Jerell Norton who missed spring practice with a hamstring injury. College Football Predictions for the 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks – 6th in SEC West Two years ago the Razorbacks were among the best teams in the nation. Last year, they were still explosive offensively and very competitive. This year, the rebuilding project begins under a new head man. With players asked to learn such a different offensive system and with so many new players being asked to step into expanded rolls, growing pains are inevitable. SportsBetting.com has posted football betting odds on various 2008 College Football Predictions: Alabama 60 - 1 Arizona 100 - 1 Arizona St 100 - 1 Arkansas 100 - 1 Auburn 40 - 1 Boise St 100 - 1 Boston College 100 - 1 California 100 - 1 Clemson 30 - 1 Florida 6 - 1 Florida St 60 - 1 Georgia 6 - 1 Georgia Tech 100 - 1 Illinois 50 - 1 Iowa 100 - 1 Kansas 75 - 1 Kansas St 100 - 1 Kentucky 100 - 1 LSU 12 - 1 Louisville 100 - 1 Maryland 100 - 1 Miami FL 100 - 1 Michigan 30 - 1 Michigan St 100 - 1 Missouri 15 - 1 Nebraska 75 - 1 North Carolina 100 - 1 North Carolina St 100 - 1 Notre Dame 100 - 1 Ohio St 6 - 1 Oklahoma 6 - 1 Oklahoma St 100 - 1 Oregon 100 - 1 Oregon St 100 - 1 Penn St 50 - 1 Rutgers 100 - 1 South Carolina 75 - 1 South Florida 100 - 1 Tennessee 100 - 1 Texas 30 - 1 Texas A&M 100 - 1 Texas Tech 75 - 1 UCLA 75 - 1 USC 3 - 1 Virginia 100 - 1 Virginia Tech 40 - 1 Wake Forest 100 - 1 West Virginia 20 - 1 Wisconsin 50 - 1 Field (Any Other Team) 25 - 1                        |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 ) | |||||||