Arkansas Razorbacks Football

     What a great season for the Arkansas Razorbacks football team this year.  Personally, I have been waiting for this time since I started my love affair with the Razorbacks in about 1999.  I know many people have waited longer than that but it seemed to me like Arkansas was destined for mediocrity and would never be a top tier SEC team.  Well we finally got the problem fixed (TCTWF).  Bobby Petrino took the head coaching job, and in three short years has the Hogs looking like a national championship contender for the 2011 season.
     After coming off of their first BCS bowl in school history, the Hogs have many key parts coming back next season.  They lose Ryan Mallett, who will be missed, D.J. Williams, three offensive lineman, and three defensive starters in Crim, Leon, and Broadway.  That leaves the best wide receiving corp in school history, an emerging star in Knile Davis, and a defense that Bobby Petrino says will be better than the 2010 defense.  The QB position will be questioned throughout the offseason but Tyler Wilson came in against Auburn on the road in relief for the injured Ryan Mallett and played like a seasoned veteran except for the fourth quarter.  Brandon Mitchell and Jacoby Walker, both having outstanding athletic ability, will also push for the starting gig.  I feel that the offense will not lose a beat next year with any of these three at the QB position.  The defense will also be a question mark as it was last offseason.  I just have a feeling that the 2011 squad will be a top 20 defense.  With the experience at corner, depth on the defensive line, some JUCO help for the linebackers in Alonzo Highsmith and Tyler Gilbert, and redshirt freshman Darrell Smith and Daunte Carr looking to impress at the safety position I feel that the defense will be just as strong as the offense has been the past couple of years.  Special teams cannot be forgotten.   The special teams squad next year should be special.  Dennis Johnson looks to come back from injury and help the kick return team that had trouble getting back to the 20 yard line in 2010.  Joe Adams and possibly explosive incoming freshman Marquel Wade look to continue to improve the punt return game for the Hogs.  Dylan Breeding and Zach Hocker return at punter and place kicker and did a superb job in 2010 at their respective positions.  One question will be who will kick off next year.
     With all that said, I feel that the Hogs have a great chance for a national championship run in 2011.  The Razorbacks will play Alabama and LSU on the road which seem to be the toughest road games for the 2011 season.  The Hogs will play a Texas A&M team in Dallas which could possibly be a top 10 match-up at kickoff.  Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi State will all come to Arkansas next year to play.  I will not predict the season yet, but this could be a special season for the Hogs.  The 2010 Razorbacks had me cheering all season long and very excited to be an Arkansan.  We will see in about eight months what the 2011 Hogs will bring.