Game by Game Breakdown of the Arkansas Razorbacks 2015 Schedule

Written by Ryan Wright

When the SEC Media Days concluded in mid-July, the Arkansas Razorbacks were picked to finish fourth in the SEC West behind perennial favorites Alabama, Auburn, and LSU. The Hogs 7-6 finish in 2014 was impressive enough to the voting media members, along with 17 returning starters, to place Arkansas ahead of Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State in a predicted order of finish.

The media also voted Arkansas as the fifth most likely team to win the SEC Championship (No. 1 Auburn, No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Georgia, and No. 4 LSU). Should the Razorbacks claim a victory in Atlanta on Dec. 5, and more than likely make an appearance in the College Football Playoffs, they must first navigate a tough 2015 schedule.

Managing this year’s lineup may prove to be challenging but for a maturing team that concluded the NCAA’s toughest ranked schedule in the nation last year, these Hogs should be battle ready.

Arkansas’ 2015 Football Schedule
Week 1: UTEP vs. Arkansas
Arkansas kicks off the season at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Sept. 5 against UTEP. The Miners finished the 2014 season 7-6 and on a down note losing 21-6 to Utah State in the New Mexico Bowl. The Aggies held UTEP to 275 total yards of offense giving confidence as a “give-me win” for Arkansas. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Toledo vs. Arkansas in Little Rock
The Rockets open up their season on Sept. 3 at home against Stony Brook. After playing the Hogs, Toledo gets Iowa State and Arkansas State at home. Toledo was 10-3 last year finishing on a high-note against Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl. The Rockets downed the Red Wolves 63-44 in their biggest win of the year.

Arkansas’ run defense will be tested by 1,600-yard rusher Kareem Hunt. In 2014 Hunt did not shy away from the big games collecting 148 yards on 15 carries with three scores in a 49-24 loss to Missouri. Hunt played in 10 of the Rockets’ 13 games last year topping the 100-yard mark all 10 times twice going over the 200 yard mark; Bowling Green (265) and Arkansas State (271).

Could the Rockets look past the Hogs for a more favorable matchup in Week 3 or Week 4?

Count another win for the Hogs. Record: 2-0.

Week 3: Texas Tech vs. Arkansas
Last season Arkansas’ coming out party was in Week 3 against the Red Raiders. The Hogs racked up 499 yards of offense, 438 on the ground seeing Alex Collins go for 212 yards on 27 carries with two touchdowns and Jonathan Williams hit 145 on 22 carries with four scores.

Kliff Kingsbury’s passing attack was kept in relative check tallying 252 yards in the air, nearly 100 yards below their end of the season average of 351.1 (No. 5 in the nation).

When Texas Tech plays Arkansas they will already have a common opponent on the docket, UTEP. The Red Raiders open with San Houston State then play UTEP before traveling to Fayetteville to face the Hogs.

Add another win for the Razorbacks. Record: 3-0

Week 4: Texas A&M vs. Arkansas in Arlington Texas
Technically a home game for Arkansas but the two former Southwest Conference foes have agreed to play their annual SEC West contest in Dallas Cowboy Stadium going forward.

Last season the two teams met in Week 5 with the No. 6 Aggies managing a 35-28 come from behind win in overtime. The Hogs had the game in check in the third quarter up 28-14 before allowing two big plays, an 86-yard Kenny Hill to Edward Pope touchdown and a 59-yard Hill to Josh Reynolds score. In overtime Hill scorched the Razorbacks again hitting Malcome Kennedy on a 25 yard touchdown pass.

The Aggies passed for 386 yards in 2014. Can Arkansas stop presumed starter Kyle Allen in 2015? How quickly can new defensive coordinator John Chavis, formerly at LSU, make a difference with the Aggies defense?

Arkansas takes care of unfinished business. Record: 4-0

Week 5: Arkansas at Tennessee
If Arkansas is one of the up-and-coming teams no one wants to play in 2015 then the Tennessee Volunteers are a tight second. The Volunteers finished 7-6 last season playing one of the youngest squads in the nation. Head coach Butch Jones has 18 starters returning, counting quarterback Joshua Dobbs.

Dobbs took over for Justin Worley in Week 8 against Alabama going 4-2 down the stretch including a decisive 45-28 win over Iowa in the TaxSlayer Bowl. The 6’3”, 210 pound, junior is a dual-threat quarterback that gives all SEC defenses trouble.

Tennessee opens against Bowling Green in Nashville then return home to face Oklahoma before getting a warm-up game against Western Carolina. Tennessee’s first true road game of the year comes in Week 4 against Florida. If Florida can be physical at home against the Vols, perhaps Arkansas can have an easier go in Neyland Stadium?

Tough call, would be Bret Bielema’s first true road SEC win. Arkansas wins 38 – Tennessee 28. Record: 5-0

Week 6: Arkansas at Alabama
Alabama could be a team influx by Week 6 or could be a team honed in and ready to go. The Crimson Tide open with a neutral site game against Wisconsin then take on Middle Tennessee before welcoming Ole Miss and Louisiana-Monroe. Three of Alabama’s first four games could be a decent test for head coach Nick Saban and staff as they put their offense back together with a new starting quarterback under center.

While Arkansas is coming off a road contest against Tennessee, Alabama will not have a give-me game in Week 5 having to travel to Athens to face Georgia. The Bulldogs’ offensive line is very good and sophomore running back Nick Chubb is elite. A second straight game against a run heavy team could favor the Hogs in the second half.

Another close game. Alabama’s front seven returns five starters from the No. 12 ranked defense in the nation. The offense, while talented is very inexperienced.

Arkansas slips by 21-17. Record: 6-0

Week 7: Bye
Thank God!

Week 8: Auburn at Arkansas
Arkansas opened the 2014 season on the road at Auburn losing 45-21. The final score does not tell the tale of the game. The Hogs and Tigers were tied 21-all going into the locker room at halftime. Nick Marshall pushed the score to 28-21 early in the third quarter and then the “old” Hogs showed up. With 3:30 to go before the fourth quarter Brandon Allen threw a 33-yard pick-six to Jermaine Whitehead putting Auburn up 35-21. After the interception return for a touchdown the Razorbacks looked defeated.

A 1 hour, 28 minute game delay due to inclement weather did nothing to help lift Arkansas’ spirits in the fourth quarter. Auburn closed out the game scoring the final 24 points.

The game seemed to serve as a wakeup call for Bret Bielema’s players. Arkansas did not carry a defeated attitude in any of their other games the entire season.

As for 2015, how big of an impact can new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, former Florida head coach, make on the Tigers? Statistically Auburn was middle of the pack last year finishing No. 64 in total defense allowing 398.8 yards per game.

If Arkansas is 5-1 at this point in the season, watch out Auburn. Arkansas will be coming off a bye while Auburn will be wrapping up the second part of a two-game road trip that starts with Kentucky. Early season games against Louisville, LSU, and Mississippi State will either have Auburn headed in the right direction or in the process of finding the right pieces to salvage the season.

New Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson is the real deal. Auburn’s offensive line has a lot of experience and welcomes back 2013 starter Alex Kozan and gets former Ole Miss starter Austin Golson, who could win the job at center replacing four-year starter Reese Dismukes.

If Arkansas can split Alabama and Auburn, this team is legitimate contender for the SEC West. The Tigers seem beatable but the odds of Arkansas beating both Alabama and Auburn in back-to-back games seems tough to imagine.

Auburn leaves town with a win 28-24. Record: 6-1

Week 9: Tennessee-Martin at Arkansas
A needed “easy” game for the Hogs before going on a brutal but possibly season defining four-game swing in November.

Record: 7-1

Week 10: Arkansas at Ole Miss
All things being equal, Ole Miss has a relatively easy schedule in 2015. Rebel fans are screaming right now, but as bad as road games are against Alabama, Florida, and Auburn, the Rebels game against Auburn is the only back-to-back tough game having played Texas A&M the week prior.

Arkansas embarrassed No. 8 Ole Miss last year winning 30-0. Expect the Rebels to be fired up for the Hogs in 2015.

If Memphis continues on their upward trend towards being one of the most improved teams in the nation, Ole Miss could be a ragtag bunch by the time they face Arkansas. At Memphis (Oct. 17), vs. Texas A&M (Oct. 24), and at Auburn (Oct. 31) could have the Rebels gassed for the Hogs. Doubtful, but Arkansas could catch Mississippi looking ahead with the final two games of the season coming against LSU and Mississippi State.

Arkansas gets another road win 31-17. Record: 8-1

Week 11: Arkansas at LSU
Whoever put together Arkansas’ schedule does not like Arkansas. The Hogs could be a seven-win team by the time they face LSU, an eight-win team, or could also be a five or six-win team struggling to turn things around down the back stretch.

If possible, Arkansas gets LSU at a good time, coming home from Alabama. LSU has enough talent they could be undefeated going into the Bama game. Like Arkansas they could be a five or six-win team as well. If the Crimson Tide can hold home field advantage, LSU might be wobbly ready for a knockout punch or they could be fire eaters ready for anyone.

One thing that might not be in Arkansas’ favor, a night game in Death Valley. If both squads are ranked high enough this will be a mid-day game. If either team has slipped, the night game favors LSU slightly.

The game of mirror image type of teams could go either way, but the Hogs have a much better offensive line. Arkansas sneaks out of Baton Rouge with a 28-21 win. Record: 9-1

Week 12: Mississippi State at Arkansas
The Bulldogs could very easily pickup the Rodney Dangerfield mantra of “no respect” and few would argue. In 2014 MSU won their first nine games holding the No. 1 spot in the AP Rankings for four weeks. Bryant-Denny Stadium coupled with 100,000-plus screaming fans have been the end of a good many young men’s dreams.

Mississippi State is void of returning talent with just four on offense and three on defense. The one good thing for head coach Dan Mullen, senior quarterback Dak Prescott returns.

The Bulldogs could very easily be limping into Fayetteville in Week 12. The four games prior are vs. Louisiana Tech, vs. Kentucky, at Missouri, vs. Alabama, and then the Hogs. At this point MSU could be fighting to be bowl eligible or be one of the bigger surprise teams in the nation.

If Arkansas falls to LSU, they pick it back up against MSU winning 38-21. Record: 10-1

Week 13: Missouri at Arkansas
In 2014 Arkansas let games against Auburn, Texas A&M, Alabama, Mississippi State, and Missouri get away from them in the second half. When the Razorbacks traveled to Columbia last year they had all the momentum in the world after being the first team in the modern era to blank ranked teams in back-to-back games without being ranked.

Redemption is at hand in the new border rivalry between the Razorbacks and Tigers.

Arkansas held a 14-6 lead going into the fourth quarter against Missouri before, again, allowing two scores in the fourth quarter. The Razorbacks offense was stumped against the Tigers defensive line and Brandon Allen could only complete 13 of 30 passes for 133 yards, although he did throw two touchdown passes.

What to think of Mizzou? Missouri has found a way to win, and win big, in 2013 and 2014 finishing with 12 and 11-wins respectively. Head coach Gary Pinkel has three returning offensive linemen, 1,000 yard rusher in Russell Hansbrough, and an up-and-down but talented quarterback in Maty Mauk.

What has made Missouri exceptional in each of their last two years has been their play at defensive end, and arguably at wide receiver.

On defense, ends Markus Golden and Shane Ray are gone along with strong safety Braylon Webb. Linebackers Kentrell Brothers and Michael Scherer will be forced to increase their production in 2015, something both are capable of doing as long as a legitimate tackle is found to pair with Harold Brantley. Does new defensive coordinator Barry Odom (Memphis) have another Golden or Ray on the team with Marcus Loud or Charles Harris?

On offense wide receivers Bud Sasser and Jimmie Hunt are gone. The returning wide receiver corps of Nate Brown, Wesley Leftwich, and J’Mon Moore has 10 receptions!

Arkansas notches another SEC win, 28-14. Record: 11-1

Prediction
Non-Arkansas fans have stopped reading a couple of scenarios ago, it’s just us now. The reality is the Razorbacks could be an 11-1 team if really lucky, a 9-3 team by season’s end, or a victim to three SEC road games plus a home loss finishing 8-4 at worst optimistically. Any of the three scenarios is an improvement over the last three seasons. The swing games are Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, and LSU, not that Texas A&M or Ole Miss are give-me wins.

The time is now for Bret Bielema. When the 2015 season is finished most of the offense will be early NFL entries or graduating seniors preparing for the NFL Draft. WR Keon Hatcher, LG Sebastian Tretola, OC Mitch Smothers, QB Brandon Allen, and RB Jonathan Williams are all seniors. Early draft candidates could include RB Alex Collins, LT Denver Kirkland, and RT Dan Skipper.

When the 2016 season begins Arkansas fans will be asking each other “who is that on offense?” The one positive, the Hogs defense should be really salty in 2016!

Photo credit: pennlive.com; Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema.