Everyone has an opinion when it comes to football, or at least a guess about how a team is going to do.
The opinion here is the Arkansas Razorbacks continue to show improvement and will finish 8-4 in the regular season, but with a lucky bounce or two it could be 9-3 or even 10-2, although 8-4 sounds about right.
Here are the game-by-game predictions:
UTEP This is one of the few major football programs in that state that hasn't passed the University of Texas in national status. The Miners return 11 starters from a 7-6 season, but it wouldn't matter if they returned everyone. Last season's team combined with this season's team couldn't stop Arkansas at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Hogs start slow but score 35 in the second half. Arkansas, 52-10
TOLEDO There may be as many people tailgating and hoping to be a part of Brad Paisley's free concert after the game as there are in the stands at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. The Rockets won nine games last year, including a wild 63-44 victory over Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl. Rockets quarterback Logan Woodside is a talented, multi-dimensional player, but it will take more than him to rain on the parade in the Rock. Arkansas, 63-14
TEXAS TECH The Red Raiders were not very good last year, and there is no reason to believe they will be much improved this season. Like the Miners, they still haven't caught up with Texas football. In the last warmup game before SEC play, the Razorbacks are almost methodical in the destruction of the Red Raiders at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas, 49-7
TEXAS A&M The Aggies return eight starters on defense -- maybe that's a good thing -- and six on offense, and none of them are Johnny Football, who has been irreplaceable so far. John Chavis is A&M's new defensive coordinator. He is considered one of the nation's best, but he might have to squeeze hard to make lemonade out of this defense. Alex Collins rushes for 161 yards and three touchdowns in Irving, Texas. Arkansas, 38-17
TENNESSEE The Vols and the Hogs are the two teams in the SEC looking to make the biggest statement about improvement. It isn't impossible to win in the world of Rocky Top -- ask tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr., who did it as a freshman quarterback in 1992 -- but it is difficult. Tennessee, 33-30, in 2OTs
ALABAMA Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa has become the second-most hostile environment in the SEC, behind only LSU. The Crimson Tide will look to make a statement but end up being lucky. Alabama, 28-21
AUBURN Finally, the Hogs are in Fayetteville for a game, but it is the undefeated Tigers who are putting up impressive numbers with an offense that leads the nation in total yards. Will Muschamp has improved the Tigers' defense. Auburn, 21-17
UT-MARTIN Just what the Hogs need. Arkansas, 63-0
OLE MISS The Rebels will have just fallen out of the Top 10 with a loss at Auburn when they host the Hogs, and it also will be their 10th consecutive game without an off week. At least the Rebels Nation wins the party in Oxford. Arkansas, 24-20
LSU The Tigers finally will have settled on a quarterback, and running back Leonard Fournette is being mentioned for the Heisman Trophy on a regular basis. Death Valley in Baton Rouge is unrelenting. LSU, 28-24
MISSISSIPPI STATE The Bulldogs are putting together a decent season, despite losing most of last season's starters, but the Hogs, playing in Fayetteville, are hacked they let one get away last season. Arkansas, 35-17
MISSOURI A healthy Brandon Allen passes for 311 yards and the running backs combine for more than 200 in Fayetteville, and the Tigers aren't going to the SEC Championship Game again. Arkansas, 35-21
Sports on 08/23/2015