Besides one season in 2021, Arkansas has had similar results throughout the 2020s so far during the five-year tenure of Sam Pittman. Now, entering year six for him, and again on a hot seat, in Fayetteville, Phil Steele is expecting similar again from the ‘Hogs. Steele released his annual preview magazine this offseason ahead of […]
Besides one season in 2021, Arkansas has had similar results throughout the 2020s so far during the five-year tenure of Sam Pittman. Now, entering year six for him, and again on a hot seat, in Fayetteville, Phil Steele is expecting similar again from the ‘Hogs.
Steele released his annual preview magazine this offseason ahead of the upcoming season in college football. That included a pair of pages dedicated to a deep dive into the Razorbacks coming into kickoff that’s now officially less than three weeks out.
Here’s how Steele projected Arkansas’ year, on both sides of the ball and overall, coming into 2025:
Offense
While having QB Taylen Green back as well as a reworked, veteran offensive line, Arkansas is going to have to find some new faces as far as weapons with RB Ja’Quinden Jackson and then their top eight pass-catchers in receiving stats, namely WR Andrew Armstrong, all gone. Still, Steele is, based on his statistics, expecting similar offensive output for the Razorbacks in year two under OC/QBC Bobby Petrino.
“This year QB Green is in year two of the offense. While they lose their top seven receivers and top RB those units look solid and the offensive line is improved,” wrote Steele. “This year my computer is calling for 422 ypg and 30.2 ppg.”
Defense
Steele then may be even higher on the defense for the ‘Hogs with two of their top-three tacklers back, in LBs Xavian Sorey Jr. and Stephen Dix Jr., and their eleven additions to that unit from the NCAA Transfer Portal. He specifically mentioned their secondary in bettering the defense as a whole.
“This year 6 starters are back and they loaded up on transfers,” Steele wrote. “This should be an improved defense as they can play more man this year with PS #5, 15, and 18 CB’s and that will help improve the pass rush as well.”
Forecast
That all written, Arkansas is just 30-31 (.492) overall, including 18-20 (.474) since 2022, under Pittman as an average team, if not worse at times, as of late in the Southeastern Conference. Now, with games against six of the eleven teams which he rates ahead of them this season in the SEC as well as two difficult non-conference matchups against Notre Dame and Memphis, Steele, while writing they could surprise, isn’t expecting too much different from Razorbacks, which may not be good enough by season’s end.
“As usual they will be picked low in the SEC but Pittman should have another surprise group this year,” wrote Steele.
Category: General Sports
