CFN: Point/Counterpoint-Arkansas Razorbacks

POINT


The part of this team that gets all the highlights and press is the high-scoring Arkansas offense. Hm...remind you again of a certain undefeated team from 2010?

Arkansas is returning 77.6% of their offensive touchdowns from 2010: 30 of their 36 receiving touchdowns and 15 of their 22 rushing touchdowns.

Four WRs are on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Four! That is out of 75 total and 12 from the SEC. Joe Adams has caught at least one pass in all 34 games he's played in during his career, and led the team with 813 receiving yards last season to go along with six touchdown catches. Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, and Adams have 324 combined career receptions for 5,404 yards and 41 touchdowns. Cobi Hamilton is the fourth WR in this group, a group that is going to help aid QB Tyler Wilson’s development.


West title could on the line. In a QB battle between Tyler Wilson and Jordan Jefferson, I’m going with Wilson every time. And so are you.

In closing, Arkansas does face a tough schedule, but they only have two tough road games. They avoid Florida and Georgia, while being much more talented than any team they face besides Alabama and LSU. The talent level between those three teams isn’t as great as some would have you believe. They have proven they can beat LSU consistently and are getting closer and closer to beating Alabama. If they win in Tuscaloosa, go ahead and book your rooms in Atlanta, Hog fans.


COUNTERPOINT

Oh wait...we nearly forget. That other team in Arkansas' division, LSU is favored by many to
win the national championship themselves this season. And the Hogs must pack their turkey and stuffing and travel to Red Stick for that affair.

Yes, Arkansas has a reputation for playing the Tigers tough - even in Death Valley. Until last season’s 31-23 Razorback home win, the prior five games had been decided by a total of 13 points, including 5 OTs.

But Petrino has yet to win a game in Baton Rouge, and while Arkansas’s first team is excellent and recruiting has improved, the Razorbacks lack the overall depth of a program like LSU (particularly on defense) - which could be a major factor come the last game of the season.

'nuff said.

As I have written more than most, Arkansas has made significant strides under the watchful eye of Petrino, and things are likely to only get better in Fayetteville. But 2011 is not the season they reach the promised land.
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