Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going around the landscape of the SEC, team by team, previewing the upcoming American tackle football season. Up next, our 2022 Arkansas preview!
2022 ARKANSAS PREVIEW
I honestly don’t know if I’m higher on any coaching staff in the SEC than what the Arkansas Razorbacks have in-house heading into 2022. Sam Pittman has done a tremendous job in coming in, building out the roster in his big, physical image, and changing the culture right off the bat. But, I don’t know if there was a more important coordinating hire than bringing in former Mizzou head coach Barry Odom to serve as defensive coordinator. That unit was seemingly transformed overnight. Kendal Briles is back on the offensive side of the ball, giving the Razorbacks a triumvirate of coaches that have been able to pull them out of the basement of the SEC West and the darkness that was the Chad Morris era quickly. I don’t know that anyone expected them to turn it around like this, but that’s why expectations are going to be high heading into 2022. Can they take the next step as a program?
Let’s start with the offense, because that’s where they have a foundational piece to build around in quarterback KJ Jefferson. Jefferson posted 27 total touchdowns in 2021, completed 67.3% of his passes, and led the team in rushing with 664 yards. He’s a bona fide weapon and a franchise quarterback that could transcend to “special player” territory (dark horse Heisman candidate, anyone?). I don’t have my SEC quarterback rankings ready yet, but Jefferson is among the conference’s elite. Arkansas lost Treylon Burks to the Tennessee Titans this offseason, and that presents a gaping hole in the receiving corps to fill. Oklahoma transfer Jadon Haselwood, Jr. is generating some hype as the guy to follow in Burks’ footsteps. But, let’s be real here – the bread and butter of this offense is the run game, and Arkansas is getting its top three running backs back from 2021. This offensive line is a year more experienced, and the identity of the team is still going to trickle out of the run game. The Razorbacks want to line up and pummel you, and it’s hard to believe they won’t do just that on offense in 2022.
On defense, Odom and staff now have to plan for life after the run-stuffing John Ridgeway, but there are pieces in place between veterans and transfers, particularly former LSU DL Landon Jackson. It’s linebacker Bumper Pool‘s time to shine as the leader of this unit, as he’s generating a little preseason love in some of the All-SEC teams, but he certainly looks the part of the captain. Jalen Catalon looks like another all-conference caliber player at safety, giving the Razorbacks talent and experience at all levels of the defense. For Odom, it’s about figuring out how to generate more pressure – it’s the one glaring issue pulling this team’s expectations down a bit. The Razorbacks tallied just 24 sacks in 2021, a metric that put them at 13th in the SEC, just ahead of Vanderbilt’s nine. If he can pull it off, then watch out for Arkansas to not just make the SEC West interesting, but maybe even have a say in how the College Football Playoff race shakes down.
2022 Razorbacks Schedule
Saturday, 9/3: vs. Cincinnati – The Bearcats should absolutely be proud of their run to the CFP a season ago, but it took years for those ingredients to come together. This is a bit of a reset for Cincinnati, and this Arkansas team is going to be good.
Saturday, 9/10: vs. South Carolina – Sure, we can agree that Shane Beamer has the Gamecocks program headed in the right direction, but I don’t see them traveling to Arkansas and winning this one.
Saturday, 9/17: vs. Missouri State – Three weeks into the season before we get the obligatory cupcake tune-up game? Guess they needed this to get ready for the next week…
Saturday, 9/24: vs. Texas A&M (Arlington, TX) – This is going to be a big test in what is technically a neutral site game. If they can start the season 4-0, the season could take on an entirely different complexion. I think it’s certainly possible that we look back on this game as a de facto elimination game in the SEC West.
Saturday, 10/1: vs. Alabama – The Razorbacks gave Alabama fits a season ago in Tuscaloosa. Getting this year’s contest in Fayetteville could prove fruitful. If they can pull off this upset, forget the “make some noise in the SEC” conversation. They’re going to skyrocket to College Football Playoff contender status.
Saturday, 10/8: @ Mississippi State – This one could be tricky. If they get into a shootout with the Bulldogs, do they have the firepower to score with ’em on the road in Starkville? That could be the issue to figure out in this one, but it’s also entirely possible that it doesn’t even devolve into a shootout too.
Saturday, 10/15: @ BYU – BYU is an interesting team this year…I’ve seen some of the discourse on CFB Twitter about them even potentially being a CFP dark horse with a future NFL starter at quarterback. I don’t know that I’m ready to buy in on that quite yet. A potential trap game? Sure. I wouldn’t bet on it, though.
Saturday, 10/22: BYE
Saturday, 10/29: @ Auburn – I have absolutely no idea what to make of Auburn this year, and I feel like that probably says all you need to know about Auburn this year. This one should swing in favor of Arkansas, but I guess you just never know on the road in the SEC.
Saturday, 11/5: vs. Liberty – Folks, I got some news for you. Malik Willis ain’t walkin’ through that door anymore.
Saturday, 11/12: vs. LSU – The Tigers make for one of the most intriguing teams in the SEC under new coach Brian Kelly. For me, LSU is a team that you want to catch early because there’s such a wealth of talent there. Once they get the chance to jell, they could be really good, and unfortunately for the Razorbacks, this game is taking place when LSU should have had ample time to jell. At least Arkansas gets this one at home.
Saturday, 11/19: vs. Ole Miss – It’s a rematch of one of the wildest games of the college football season a year ago, except like the Alabama game, Arkansas is getting this one at home this year. Lane Kiffin will look to reload quickly after what was a special year for Ole Miss, but replacing Matt Corral is going to be hard to do.
Friday, 11/25: @ Missouri – Big Eli Drinkwitz fan, but I don’t know that the Tigers are built to handle this Razorbacks style. Arkansas should beat them up on Black Friday to close their regular season.
Crystal Ball
I love the way this schedule sets up for Arkansas. Outside of what could be a slippery trip to Starkville, they’re drawing Missouri and Auburn as their true SEC road games. Getting Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU at home in the same year feels like winning the lottery. Given what they have in Jefferson and this coaching staff, and with another year of experience together, I would not at all be surprised if the Razorbacks make a major leap in 2022. In fact, since it’s time for my gun-to-my-head prediction anyway, I’ll go ahead and throw this out there now – I think this team gets to at least 10 wins in 2022.
MORE 2022 SEC SEASON PREVIEWS
If you haven’t already, subscribe to the College Football Roundup on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your podcasts.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.