Three’s Company

By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Looking ahead to this season, there is a lot to like about the Razorbacks. The return of 13 starters, and both specialists, has to make the Tide and Tigers take note.

Arkansas found themselves in an incredibly-unique position last season. They finished ranked in the national top five, though unfathomably in the middle of the pack of their own division. Despite their successes, the Hogs spent much of the year as a mere afterthought to the ongoing conversation centered around the top of their conference standings. Their 11-2 mark was spoiled only by losses to the two teams who played in the BCS National Championship Game. That indictement limited the Razorbacks to a Cotton Bowl showing against Kansas State.

Such is life in the mighty SEC West, where being great isn't quite good enough. Alabama and LSU are again expected to compete for the top spot this fall. They may, however, need to make room.

Looking ahead to this season, there is a lot to like about the Razorbacks. The return of 13 starters, and both specialists, has to make the Tide and Tigers take note. Alabama and LSU both overwhelmed Arkansas in 2011, but personnel progression isn't the only variable changing in this iron triangle. Nick Saban and Les Miles must both take their teams to "The Natural State" in 2012. The Tigers have lost their last two games played up north, the Tide fell in Fayetteville in 2000, 2004 and 2006.

Arkansas, looking back to last season, led the SEC in both total offense and scoring offense a year ago. The return of first-team All-SEC quarterback Tyler Wilson suggests much more of the same is on the horizon. The rising senior threw for over 3,600 yards and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 24-to-6 in his first year as starter. His signature moment came in a win in Cowboys Stadium against Texas A&M. That afternoon, Wilson threw for a school-record 510 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions.

“It’s about playing one play at a time. It’s not about getting caught up in how many yards you have or what the score is. We just had to chip away a little at a time," the UA signal caller said after leading his team to a 24-3 second half rally. "I knew before halftime that we had success spreading them out and I knew that we’d be successful in the second half if our defense would just hold them a couple of times.”

Wilson, now with experience added to his repertoire, appears poised to contend for All-American honors.

The return of All-SEC tailback Knile Davis from injury is a dynamic that could upset the apple cart in the SEC West. He led all league running backs with 1,322 yards back in 2010 and was the only tailback in college football to average over 6.3 yards per carry with at least 200 attempts. In his last five games, Davis rushed for 770 yards and seven touchdowns. In a regular-season finale triumph over LSU, Davis ran through the Tigers for 152 yards and a score on 30 carries. In a losing effort, he would rush for 139 more yards against Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl.

Overshadowed some by the likes of Heisman Trophy winner Cameron Newton, former Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram and National Rookie of the Year Marcus Lattimore in his own conference, Davis finished the season playing as well as any back in the country. He finished averaging more yards rushing per game than Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers (Atlanta Falcons), scored more rushing touchdowns than Nebraska's Roy Helu, Jr (Washington Redskins) and averaged more yards per carry than Alabama's Trent Richardson and Wisconsin's Montee Ball (2011 Heisman Trophy finalists).

With Wilson, Davis, an emerging Cobi Hamilton at receiver and All-SEC lineman Alvin Bailey back at guard, Arkansas has the potential to have the most balanced offense in the nation in 2012.

A few key veterans must be replaced on defense, but the Razorbacks return more starters than their high-profile division counterparts. After 80 tackles, a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, linebacker Alonzo Highsmith steps into a starring role. Paul Haynes, the unit's new leader, comes over from Ohio State where he was co-defensive coordinator. His expertise will be on display in the secondary, as he tutored the likes of Donte Whitner and Malcolm Jenkins during his time in Columbus.

"This is a competitive conference and we are determined to go head-to-head with the very best. Having Paul join our program will help us as we continue on the path toward our goal of consistently winning championships. He has been a part of a team with a culture of doing just that," explained head coach Bobby Petrino. "Paul has incredibly high standards and the defenses he has built have been challenging to prepare for and have always played with toughness, intensity and desire."

The Petrino era in Fayetteville has been one of guided progression. From just five wins in his debut campaign, Petrino's Hogs have gone on to win eight, ten and 11 games respectively. Last season's total tied Lou Holtz's storied 1977 squad and and Frank Broyles' perfect 1964 championship team for most victories in school history. Getting back to that level is the obvious next step.

Standing in the way is a division that has produced four of the last five BCS National Champions. The logjam atop the SEC West prompted a season-long debate this past fall. This season Arkansas will look to do more than just change the nature of that discussion. They will try to change the status quo.

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