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2008 Arkansas Football Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

Razorbacks fans will likely see your pride and joy in an unfamiliar spot this season – last place in the SEC West. It doesn’t appear that the Razors will be able to make up for the losses of their top three offensive players: Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, and Marcus Monk. With the hiring of head coach Bobby Petrino, you can be assured that offensive production will soon be on the way. Find out how Jimmy Boyd sees this rebuilding season shaking out in his 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks predictions and season preview.

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.

Prediction – 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 and LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss are all going to be better.

Jimmy Boyd’s 2008 college football predictions will give you the skinny on all of the major conference football programs prior to the start of the season so that you can get your futures wagers in and win more with your football betting. You’ll want to be sure to play Jimmy’s college football picks this year so that you can rely on his steady stream of winners weak in and weak out. Hope to have you on board.

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