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No. 20(AP) Arkansas Razorbacks, head coach Houston Nutt, SEC, futures betting odds from online sportsbook SBG Global SEC +650, BCS +3000. Total wins OVER 8 1/2 (+155) UNDER ( -185).

With most of the major offensive weapons in place from last years West Division championship including Heisman Trophy favorite Darren McFadden, the Arkansas Razorbacks could be poised for another  run at the SEC championship game if they can get consistent quarterback play from returning starter, junior Casey Dick. Armed with a new play-book introduced by new offensive coordinator David Lee, Dick will be expected to execute a philosophy aimed at creating balance between the passing and running games, something the Hogs have not seen in Dick’s two years on the Fayetteville campus.

The Razorbacks led the SEC in rushing last year (228.5 ypg) with All America running back McFadden and Felix Jones carrying most of the load but the team finished 11th in passing offense in the 12 team league. Their error prone play at quarterback and the inability to get receivers open enabled opposing defenses to strictly focus on the run. With a more balanced attack in 2007, coach Houston Nutt looks to see a big overall improvement in the teams offensive production.

Marcus Monk, the Hogs ’ career leader in touchdown receptions with 24, will be the Hogs’ primary receiver once he recovers from a knee injury sustained the first day of full pads workouts during fall camp. Last year Monk caught 50 passes for 962 yards and 11 touchdowns. Monk is expected to be out four-weeks and will miss the home opener with Troy.

There is a battle for the number one flanker spot between converted quarterback Robert Johnson and junior Reggie Fish. Sophomores London Crawford and Rod Coleman are also challenging for the position. Word out of fall camp is that Reggie Fish has taken the lead overall for the position.

Offensive line coach Mike Markuson has a solid nucleus returning in the trenches with junior preseason All-American center Jonathan Luigs (6-4, 307 ) and senior preseason second-team All-SEC right guard Robert Felton (6-4, 328 ).

Sophomore Mitch Petrus (6-4, 295 ) played reserve fullback in a pinch last season, but is back in his natural spot at left guard. Markuson is looking to senior Nate Garner (6-6, 325 ), and junior Jose Valdez (6-6, 310 ) as starters.

The Arkansas defense was hit hard by injuries (mostly torn ACL) in 2006 and will welcome three main cogs from the unit in tackle Marcus Harrison, linebacker Freddie Fairchild, and safety Michael Grant.

One of Arkansas’ better stories of 2006 was the emergence of junior tackle Ernest Mitchell (6-2, 296 ) in the absence of Harrison, whose knee injury last season limited him to five starts and 42 tackles with 3. 5 stops for 21 yards in losses. Currently, senior Fred Bledsoe (6-3, 314 ), Wynne junior Cord Gray (6-1, 292 ) and Lucas, Texas junior Marcus Shavers (6-3, 280 ) are the backups at tackle. Freshmen Brandon Lampkin (6-5, 255 ) of Tucker, Ga., and Patrick Jones (6-2, 280 ) of Hampton, Ga., joined the team in August and will get a look.

The ends look solid with the return of junior second team All-SEC Antwain Robinson (6-2, 255 and sophomore Malcolm Sheppard (6-3, 272 ) has emerged from the spring as defensive coordinator Reggie Herring’s new bell cow.

Sophomore Adrian Davis (6-4, 235 ) moved from linebacker to back Sheppard on the left side, while senior Chris Wade (6-5, 258 ) has added upperbody strength and should factor into a rotation with Robinson and Sheppard this season. Freshman Damario Ambrose (6-5, 255 ) could add to that rotation

At linebacker, Herring is comfortable with his starting three of sophomore Fairchild (6-3, 220 ) on the strong side, Weston Dacus (6-2, 230 ) in the middle and redshirt freshman Ryan Powers (6-1, 210 ) on the weak side.

In the secondary safety will be improved. Grant (5-11, 182 ) has moved back to corner and converted linebacker Matt Hewitt (6-3, 215 ) has moved back to safety a position he started at in 2005 before moving to linebacker last year.  The other sore spot on defense is at cornerback where senior Matterral Richardson (6-0, 195 ) returns as a solid starter on the right side. With the addition of Grant back at the corners will give the Hogs good experience but thin at the position.

 There is a new sheriff in town on special teams with true freshman Alex Tejada from nearby Springdale High. Tejada, one of the most sought after prep kickers in the nation, decided on the home team and has been dazzling during fall scrimmages with consistent kicking beyond the 50 yard mark something the Razorbacks have lacked in recent years.

The prognosis for Arkansas is good providing they can avoid injury on an already thin defense and the quarterback play is improved enough to keep opposing SEC defenses guessing. Providing they answer those questions, Arkansas could find itself back in the SEC Championship Game in December. 

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