You know how much the Razorbacks seem to be embracing the expectations heaped upon them?

It was one of the biggest stories at Southeastern Conference Media Days. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino knows prognosticators are pointing to his team as one that could challenge Alabama in the SEC’s Western Division. The Razorbacks like the notoriety. They’re relishing it.

“I think we’re to the point where we know we have the chance to be special,” Arkansas tight end D.J. Williams said at SEC Media Days.

It wasn’t the normal message from teams typically saddled with preseason hype. Downplaying expectations and side-stepping unnecessary pressure is usually the goal.

Well, Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long was at SEC Media Days listening to all of this confidence exuded from Petrino and his players in attendance. After Petrino and Mallett finished their time behind the microphone Thursday, Long was asked what he thought of the confidence seeping from the football program.

Long made it clear he approaches the expectations a little differently than Petrino. Not that he has a problem with his coach’s approach.

“I think it’s great that coach approaches it the way he does,” Long said. “That’s why he’s a successful coach. I’m a little more cautious in my optimism. That’s my nature.

“But I think it says a lot about coach Petrino and the way he approaches the game with our student-athletes. He welcomes those high expectations. And uses it to motivate his young people, our staff, and certainly it has motivated our fans as well.”