2009 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Preview
2009 Arkansas Razorbacks season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Arkansas Razorbacks football preview as well as the 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule. We also offer a free odds comparison service of lines and totals on the NCAA football odds page.
Coach: Bobby Petrino (2nd year at Arkansas)
Team Name: Razorbacks
2008 Overall Record: 5-7
Returning Starters: 18
Over the past five years, the Razorbacks of Arkansas (5- 7 overall, 2- 6 SEC) have been inconsistent, putting up just five wins in 2004 and four in 2005 and then 10 and eight in 2006 and 2007. Last year, they were back down to five wins. The team finished tied with two other teams for fourth in the SEC West and did not earn an invite to a bowl game.
The Arkansas offense struggled last season, putting just 21.9 PPG on the scoreboard. That should change as sophomore QB Ryan Mallett, a Michigan transfer, steps up to rifle passes downfield with his powerful arm. He’ll have a slew of fine receivers to throw to, including junior tight end D.J. Williams (61 REC, 723 YDs, 3 TDs) and sophomore wideout Jarius Wright (19 REC, 348 YDs, 2 TDs). RB Michael Smith (207 ATT, 1,072 YDs, 8 TDs) is an able rusher. The offensive line, which was ranked 118th in the nation allowing 46 sacks, has to improve if the Razorbacks hope to churn out more points.
Nine starters are back on defense, four of whom are now sophomores. Last season, this side of the ball allowed an average of 31.2 PPG. Senior DT Malcolm Sheppard (68 TKLs, 6.5 SKs, 8 TFL) and DE Adrian Davis (43 TKLs, 5 SKs, 3 TFL, 1 INT) anchor the frontline. This should be a decent unit. The linebacking squad looks good too. WLB Jerry Franklin (87 TKLs, 1.5 SKs, 2 TFL, 2 INTs), now a sophomore, led the club in tackles last season. Although the secondary was especially deficient in 2008, the corners and safeties should be more accomplished. Junior corner Isaac Madison (38 TKLs, 1 INT) looked especially good in spring practices. If the secondary can step up, the Razorbacks will have a chance at winning some tough games.
New special teams’ coach John L. Smith has some work to do. Junior Briton Forester takes over the punting duties for the departed Jeremy Davis. Junior Alex Tejada (20- 21 Extra Pts, 4- 9 FG) had a bad season last year. His longest kick was just 30 yards. Massive improvement is needed. The kick return game is headed by Dennis Johnson, who averaged 22.1 yards per kick return and Smith who earned 8.8 yards per punt return.
Bobby Petrino (5- 7 in one year with Arkansas) starts his first full year as the Razorbacks’ head coach. In his first recruiting season, he’s done a good job of signing some fine recruits, including five-star corner Darius Winston and offensive lineman Colby Berna. Last season, the Razorbacks had a tough time beating teams like Western Illinois and UL Monroe, and they were hammered by clubs such as Alabama, Texas and Florida. This season, they open on the road versus Missouri State (L.R.). That may be their easiest road trip of 2009. Other away games include tough stints versus Alabama (September 26), Florida (October 17) and Ole Miss (October 24). This is a better and more experienced team than the one that took the field in 2008. They should win more than last season. A fourth place finish in the SEC West and a low tier bowl bid look to be in this team’s near future.
Arkansas Razorbacks Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Arkansas | Missouri St. | home | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Arkansas | Georgia | home | ||||
| 9/26/2009 | Arkansas | Alabama | away | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Arkansas | Texas A&M | neutral | ||||
| 10/10/2009 | Arkansas | Auburn | home | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Arkansas | Florida | away | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Arkansas | Mississippi | away | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Arkansas | East. Michigan | home | ||||
| 11/7/2009 | Arkansas | South Carolina | home | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Arkansas | Troy | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Arkansas | Mississippi St. | home | ||||
| 11/28/2009 | Arkansas | LSU | away |
For more info on the 2009 Arkansas Razorbacks football program, view the Razorbacks official website or scroll down below to read up on the rest of the SEC competition.
