Phil Steele is considered by many to be the top pre-season prognosticator in college football. One only has to look at his prediction for the Hogs coming off a 4-7 season in 2005 to see he’s on to something with all his gadgets and computer ranking systems.
Steele, unlike many experts, slotted the Hogs 13th nationally in his pre-season poll in 2006.
And, for the most part, Steele was right in picking the Hogs that high. After all, Arkansas rose as high as No. 5 in the Associated Press poll and played in the SEC Championship as Darren McFadden razzle-dazzled the country on his way to his first of two runner-up finishes in the Heisman Trophy race.
So what does Steele have to say about the Hogs in 2010? Well, he’s ranked Arkansas 17th nationally in his pre-season poll and believes the Razorbacks are contenders for the SEC West crown. That seems to be the common belief nationally. But what else? Well, the Bobby Petrino‘s third Arkansas team could be better than advertised. Here’s more from Steele:
Two of my 9 sets of power ratings actually call for a 12 win season!
Steele also believes Ryan Mallett is a frontrunner for the Heisman, saying the key is improving his passing numbers on the road (42.9 completion percentage) from last season. (We’ve written about Mallett’s road struggles plenty here and here and here in the Slophouse and the turnaround he made at LSU in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette).
I expect big-time improvement from Mallett on the road and he is clearly one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy after turning down a shot at the NFL.
Steele ranks the Arkansas receivers tops in the NCAA and also believes the Hogs’ defensive backs will have a “large climb” in his PDR statistical category. Don’t ask me what “PDR” stands for as I do not speak Steele’s language laden with acronyms and statistics. I won’t be mad if you explain this category in the comments below, however.
Steele’s Arkansas preview is available on his website, but make sure to hurry and download the PDF as it won’t be available after today. If you miss out, you can pick up a copy of Steele’s magazine at your local retailer June 8.
RELATED: Steele names Williams, Mallett to All-America teams
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.
Positive Defensive Results?
Public Display of Redemption?
Projective Defense Rank?
This year is harder to predict than most because our year revolves around one question: Did our defense improve? This question cannot be answered until we travel to Georgia. In addition, I counted 5 games (UGA,AU,USCE,LSU,TAMU) that I think we will win, but we could also lose–I say this not because I doubt our team, but because I respect these five teams. Thus, I think we could win as many as 12 games, but we could also end up at 8 again.
I totally agree, Skez. There are a number of games that could flip either way, starting with UGA on the road, which will be huge.
I believe the defense will be better to a degree, given the ability of Arkansas to [hopefully] run out of the “Shot” formation and the new kid on the way to handle kick off assignments.
Nonetheless, the question, in my opinion, is whether Willy is a capable SEC defensive coordinator, and if so, will the D bring it each and every Saturday?
The answer to the question will be the difference between winning or losing 4 to 5 games.
I agree that our mighty Pigs will be much improved – but our win total may not show it. @ UGA, Bama home, @ Aub, @ SC, LSU home.
Starting with UGA – I think UGA will also be improved – Their entire Offense returns with the exception of a medicore QB. New QB A. Murray will be an upgrade. Their Defense will improve with leadership – but so will ours. This will be a GREAT game and look forward to this matchup. This is a 50/50 game at best.
Sidenote – been to Athens – as well as all SEC schools except MS State. Fans were great to tailgate with – and while all schools have obnoxious fans – for the most part – they were class act. Wish we played UGA more – very healthy competition.
2. Alabama – will be a tough game – we should be underdogs – tough, physical – well coached. Another Awesome SEC challange
3. TX AM – should win this one – however, TXAM will be improved this year – expect a good fight!
4. @ Auburn – similar to UGA – I expect Auburn to be even better this year – can’t wait to make this trip to Auburn. Fans were pretty good to us last time.
5. @ SC – like TX AM – we should win this game – SC plays better at the front end of the year – but never seems to improve during the season.
6. LSU – we will nail them again this year – but it will be a tough game. I see LSU being about the same this year as last – while ARKANSAS will be improved.
So there you have it – I think we win 8 games minimal – but could easily win 10. Biggest concerns are Bama, UGA – then Auburn. Love being in the SEC!!!
LSU
PDR stands for Pass Defense Rating.
I agree with him that our secondary is going to be much improved. Just stopping all the homeruns that were tossed on us last year would give have made us a 10 win team last year.