By Harry King
LITTLE ROCK — Confidence built on three years of correctly picking Arkansas’ football record withered when confronted by Jeff Fuller and Uzoma Nwachukwu.
Who? Exactly.
They are Texas A&M receivers and their production against Texas put a whoa on a December projection of the Razorbacks’ record in 2010. Fuller caught six passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns vs. the Longhorns while Nwachukwu contributed four catches for 42 yards.
Several receivers have caught passes against Arkansas since the Razorbacks played A&M two months ago and there are memory lapses at a particular age, but neither of the Aggies did anything memorable in Arlington. Turns out, Fuller didn’t start against Arkansas and neither one of them caught a pass in the 28-point loss. The same Jerrod Johnson who misfired 28 times vs. Arkansas completed 26-of-33 for 342 yards and four touchdowns against the Longhorns.
The offensive line that Jake Bequette and others bypassed in pursuit of Johnson protected the quarterback from Texas.
Such progress while using 18 freshmen gives pause to getting out on a limb for next year and the Aggies are only one of Arkansas’ opponents in a state of flux.
The Razorbacks should defeat non-conference opponents Tennessee Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, and UTEP, and Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt. Alabama, always solid on defense and with its playmakers returning, should beat the Razorbacks.
Other than that, consider some of the unknowns about the other six teams, listed alphabetically:
AUBURN: Highly touted freshman quarterback Tyrik Rollison was suspended this week for violating team rules. The length of his suspension is unknown. He is supposed to have the skills to immediately improve the diversity of Gus Malzahn’s offense.
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs also are looking to replace a quarterback, senior Joe Cox who came close to being benched after throwing three interceptions against Florida. On top of that, coach Mark Richt fired three members of his defensive staff, including coordinator Willie Martinez. The defense that gave up 41 to Arkansas was not typical Georgia.
LSU: The Tigers lose receivers and running backs, but their recruiting classes are so esteemed, they are bound to have replacements available. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson is still shaky.
MISSISSIPPI STATE: Another team that figures to improve with a change at quarterback. Impressive at times against Arkansas, Chris Relf ran for 131 yards and threw two touchdown passes as the Bulldogs ended the season by trouncing Ole Miss. It was the sort of performance that fuels enthusiasm about spring practice.
MISSISSIPPI: Quarterback Jevan Snead might be gone. Running back Dexter McCluster is gone. So is wide receiver Shay Hodge. Other than Vanderbilt, the Rebels could be the Razorbacks’ most vulnerable SEC opponent.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Quarterback Stephen Garcia did enough this year to raise the possibility of a break-through year. Like Mississippi State and Georgia, the Gamecocks finished on a high note.
At this point, Arkansas could finish anywhere from 6-6 to 9-3. Before going on the record, let’s see what comes out of spring practice in Athens, Oxford, and a couple of other places.
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Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.
