Best, Worst Scenarios for Razorbacks with Difficult Schedule

On team that may have more questions than answers it could go either way, both disappointing some

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman working with the offensive line in a spring practice on April 4 at the indoor facility in Fayetteville, Ark. / Andy Hodges-HogsSI

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don't expect emotion to be part of this projection of Arkansas' football season.

It's simply a view of the ways it could go this year with a schedule that could be absolutely brutal. The Razorbacks didn't get any breaks the way it falls, especially according preseason projections and where they're picked to land in the SEC.

If there are bright spots, it's the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and playing Mississippi State a few days before Halloween. At least nobody should expect a massacre on that day, much like last year.

UAPB had better not be a problem. If the coaches aren't at least discussing running the second half on a mercy-rule like they did in 2021 against the Golden Lions, there's a four-alarm problem. As for the Bulldogs, they were on the only team on the Hogs' schedule ranked below them by the media last week.

Best-case Scenario

All of this is based on the premise the Hogs beat UAPB into submission, then two weeks laterhandle UAB in the first game in Razorback Stadium. To get to what could be a best-case situation, Arkansas will also have to figure out a way to get by Oklahoma State on the road in Week 2.

The Cowboys are ranked in the Top 25 by the national magazines in the grocery stores. It won't be an easy task after they play a possible trap opener against FCS champion South Dakota State.

They also get another ranked team against Texas A&M in what is likely the last trip to Arlington for a game that has done little to help either team the past couple of decades. The Razorbacks have also only beaten the Aggies a couple of times in that span while inventing new ways to lose the game.

Predicting a 4-1 record through the first five games is probably a little over-optimistic. They can't go below 3-2 in that stretch and have a shot at getting the best-case scenario.

Right now the best chances for wins in a brutal final stretch of seven games will have to come against Tennessee, LSU, Louisiana Tech while relying on the hope that Ole Miss, Texas or Missouri is in the process of falling apart by November.

Best-case number of wins: 7
Wins: UAPB, UAB, Louisiana Tech, Auburn, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Missouri
Losses: Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Texas

Worst-case Scenario

Just have the most gruesome nightmare about the Razorbacks' season and that's what's happening here. The Hogs' fan base will be up in arms like hasn't seen since the previous coaching staff was around.

There's already a tremendous amount of apathy. People are already asking when basketball season starts.

Best-case number of wins: 4
Wins: UAPB, UAB, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State
Losses: Oklahoma State, Auburn, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas

The thing about guessing is being able to account for all the variables. That means how other teams have developed, injuries or officials' decisions.

What do the fans think? Comment on how many you think the Razorbacks will win or lose this year on our social media pages.

HOGS FEED:

• Petrino getting Green like overcoming objection for second date

• Apparently, Calipari's relationship with Stoops not that bad

• Razorbacks' Pittman a different man this season

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