Who Could Be Sleeper Team on Razorbacks' Schedule?

Texas A&M has built quality depth, especially in defensive line that could show up this year

(Walt Beazley / Arkansas Communications)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Projections by everybody are coming out ahead of Arkansas' football season, and an awful lot of them are thinking the Hogs will handle Texas A&M this year. The Aggies weren't even a pushover for the Razorbacks in a season where even FCS schools ran through Texas A&M, so expect a strong test come late September.

Talent has been piling up in College Station for a couple of years now. Yeah, they lost a lot of those talented players, but that goes on just about everywhere these days with the transfer portal. It was interesting listening to Nasvhille Sports Radio's Bill King on Halftime on ESPN Arkansas with Phil Elson and Matt Jones earlier this week.

"Man, just loaded on the d-line," King said. "Loaded with NFL dudes."

After land a commitment from top rated 2024 wide receiver Cameron Coleman, they are also putting together an offense that, assuming new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is allowed to work his usual formula, could jump into the top tier of teams where Alabama and LSU currently sit in the SEC West. Jones thinks they could go from sixth to first in the division.

"They've got the talent to do that," King said. "Alabama has to answer questions at quarterback, o-line, wide receiver, defensive back and interior defensive line. They've got players and probably have answers to all of them, but it's gettin' it right time."

Last year's problems in College Station have nothing to do with this year. The Razorbacks aren't the only team in the league to make improvements from last season and the bottom line is we don't really know what anybody is going to have this year. The transfer portal has thrown all that up in the air, but you can usually count on teams that have been at the top somehow find a way to stay there.

The Aggies could be ready to get close to that level or they may be hiring a new coach. After last year's crash and burn, Jimbo Fisher may be at that point. A&M has figured out ways to beat the Razorbacks since joining the league in 2012, some of them absolutely goofy (like last year).

It does make for good speculation at this time of the year. Everyone likes to take a hack at guessing and most get it absolutely wrong. Hardly anybody picks the sleeper that could jump up and play a role. Like LSU did last year.

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