Here's the thing about Arkansas...

[bulldogbaja]

I'm not sure who thought they were going to be that good (top 10 good) anyway. They went through this huge controversy, lost their coach unexpectedly during spring conditioning, and for a while I don't think there was anyone running the shop. Now they have a first-year head coach. Has a team with a first year coach ever started the season preseason top 10 before?
Here's the other thing about Arkansas, though. By the end of the season, they may be a very good team. Even if Wilson is hurt now, he's not likely to be out the whole season. I think their defense really is weak, but make no mistake, the offense will be full throttle by the time they come here.

 

[lazlow]

I'm not sure who thought they were going to be that good (top 10 good) anyway. They went through this huge controversy, lost their coach unexpectedly during spring conditioning, and for a while I don't think there was anyone running the shop. Now they have a first-year head coach. Has a team with a first year coach ever started the season preseason top 10 before?
Here's the other thing about Arkansas, though. By the end of the season, they may be a very good team. Even if Wilson is hurt now, he's not likely to be out the whole season. I think their defense really is weak, but make no mistake, the offense will be full throttle by the time they come here.

Arkansas can't 17'n tackle. It's amazing how a top 10 ten team loses its HC along with its ability to break down and make a routine tackle. Arkansas is Auburn (17ers can't tackle either) with a much better offense even w/o Wilson.

 

[chew1095]

Here is another thing about Arkansas: their OL got ***** slapped by ULM. Let that sink in for a minute. Arkansas, with Knile Davis, had less than 100 yards rushing against ULM.

 

[missouridawg]

I'm not sure who thought they were going to be that good (top 10 good) anyway. They went through this huge controversy, lost their coach unexpectedly during spring conditioning, and for a while I don't think there was anyone running the shop. Now they have a first-year head coach. Has a team with a first year coach ever started the season preseason top 10 before?
Here's the other thing about Arkansas, though. By the end of the season, they may be a very good team. Even if Wilson is hurt now, he's not likely to be out the whole season. I think their defense really is weak, but make no mistake, the offense will be full throttle by the time they come here.

A couple of fallacies...

First, everyone in the country thought Arkansas was a top 10 team. Everyone. They bring back one of the best QBs in the country and NCAAF is driven by great QBs. Lets not forget that Tyler Wilson left this game. Regardless, Arkansas should win by 20.

Second, John L. Smith has not only head coached before, he's headcoached 4 different teams besides Arkansas (Idaho, Utah State, Louisville, and Michigan State). He might not be a great head coach, but he SHOULD be more than capable of keeping a good ship going in the right direction.

Thirdly, no one predicted their defense to be as bad as what it appears to be.

 

[chew1095]

And fourth (again), Arkansas' OL got taken behind the woodhsed by ULM.

 

[tenureplan]

^^This and this^^ - Not only could they not run the ball, don't forget the beating Wilson took even before he left the game.

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

i didn't think arkansas was a top 10 team. i state multiple times here and elsewhere that i think they'd be 7-5 or 8-4 this year. they lost more talent than anyone admitted. they had wilson and a healthy knile davis and that's about it. they also didn't just have an offseason controversy, but it cost them a top 5 offensive HC in the country. petrino is in the class with chip kelly and a mentally into it urban. you don't lose guys like that without taking steps backwards.

 

[bulldogbaja]

Fixed it for you...

A couple of fallacies...

First, everyone in the country thought Arkansas was a top 10 team. Everyone. They bring back one of the best QBs in the country and NCAAF is driven by Defense. Lets not forget that Tyler Wilson left this game. Regardless, Arkansas should win by 20.

Second, John L. Smith has not only head coached before, he's headcoached 4 different teams besides Arkansas (Idaho, Utah State, Louisville, and Michigan State). He might not be a great head coach, but he SHOULD be more than capable of keeping a good ship going in the right direction.

Thirdly, no one predicted their defense to be as bad as what it appears to be.

But regardless, they went through 17ing spring training with a different head coach. Teams can't recover from that. Pull out Nick Saban in April and replace him with Urban Meyer, and there are going to be some issues, and Arkansas ain't Alabama. I think you're drastically underestimating the change that comes with a new coach.
Some of their problems on the Oline and defense appeared to be conditioning and knowing the plays- both things that will improve as the season goes on.