HOG BLOG PREVIEW SPECIAL: Can Pittman keep up the momentum?
After a 9-4 breakthrough year in 2021, the Fayetteville faithful hope the Hogs can build on that special season.
By: Wild Hog
Sam Pittman watches on during an Arkansas practice (Courtesy SI All Hogs News)
We are inside two weeks out from the most glorious time of the year, and let me tell ya, oh lord it’s hard to be humble. After coming off the best two-season stretch the Hogs have known since 2015/16, the Razorbacks are reloading for Sam Pittman’s third season, and everyone is wondering:
In all seriousness, Razorback fans have a lot to be happy about, and that feeling has been in short supply prior to last season. The Hogs even made the preseason coaches top-25 poll, coming in at #23, and came in at #16 on the CBS preseason poll.
Closing with a dominant win in the Outback Bowl (now renamed the Reliaquest Bowl, R.I.P. mate) against Penn State, the Razorbacks finished the 2021 season at 9-4, their best finish since 2011 when the Hogs finished 11-2 and won the Cotton Bowl.
So what does that mean for Pittman’s team heading into 2022? It means expectations are high, and rightfully so. This fanbase is ready to be hurt again, and while everyone is mentally prepping for that possibility, I’m confident there are plenty of reasons not to fret.
First and foremost, the stability at QB is a blessing that cannot be overstated. Redshirt junior KJ Jefferson is back, and he’s got a chip on his shoulder. Backed by an O-Line returning 4 starters, including senior center Ricky Stromberg, KJ should be more than ready to tear up opposing defenses this season.
Somehow, the Razorback signal caller was left off the All-SEC preseason teams. To slight one of the SEC’s best returning QBs like that is laughable, but, as KJ said himself, “it’s pretty normal now” for Razorbacks to be overlooked. In fact, KJ is one of several key players who got snubbed by the All-SEC team selections.
Me trying to find KJ on the All-SEC Preseason Teams.
While there’s no cause for concern at QB, plenty of fans are asking the next question: who’s he going to throw it to?
First off, congratulations to star WR Treylon Burks for getting drafted in the first round to the Tennessee Titans. He’s got some big shoes to fill after the departure of AJ Brown. Thankfully, Pittman and Co. were able to clean up in the transfer portal, adding 5-star from OU Jadon Haselwood and 3-star Matt Landers to the WR corps.
Outside of WR additions, Pittman was able to get several other strong transfers to Fayetteville, including much-needed bolsters on defense: CB Dwight McGlothern and EDGE Landon Jackson from LSU, and standout LB Drew Sanders from Alabama.
These guys will be key additions to a defense that is facing a lot of turnover after last year’s super seniors left. With leadership from Jalen Catalon and Bumper Pool, this defense could be dangerous again and cause lots of problems in the backfield.
Back on offense, we’re looking at Raheim “Rocket” Sanders taking the starting role, with Dominique Johnson and AJ Green likely sitting behind him on the depth chart. This may change as we move into the season, as Johnson suffered an injury last season, but Coach Pittman is confident we’ll get him for most of the season.
At TE, the Razorbacks suffered a tough blow, losing highly-touted prospect Dax Courtney, who unfortunately has retired from football for health concerns. Obviously, we wish the best for Dax and always support players making tough decisions regarding their health. On the bright side, former-WR Trey Knox has moved to TE, and according to Coach Pittman could be an NFL-caliber prospect at the position.
And how could we forget the most important returning player, the cornerstone of this team, GOAT kicker Cam Little? The man who hit the griddy after drilling the game-winner for the Battle of the Boot. As a freshman. In Death Valley. In a night game. Ice in his veins. And he just started his own NIL merch line.
Regarding the Razorback schedule this year, stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Arkansas draws the toughest schedule in the country.
This comes in as year three in a row of having one of the toughest schedules, if not the toughest schedule in the country. In fact, Arkansas is the only team in the country whose entire list of 2022 FBS opponents for the season made the 2021 postseason. Talk about getting put through the wringer. Here’s the full schedule, with my predictions below.
2022 Schedule
Sept. 3 - Cincinnati W
Sept. 10 - South Carolina W
Sept. 17 - Missouri State W
Sept. 24 - Texas A&M (Neutral Site) L
Oct. 1 - Alabama L
Oct. 8 - @ Mississippi State W
Oct. 15 - @ BYU W
Oct. 29 - @ Auburn L
Nov. 5 - Liberty W
Nov. 12 - LSU W
Nov. 19 - Ole Miss W
Nov. 25 - @ Mizzou W
Looking at that list though, there’s less cause for concern than you’d think. People might worry about the opener against Cincinnati, but I’d like to refer to exhibit A from last season, where Alabama beat them 27-6 in the first round of the CFP, and exhibit B, where the Razorbacks kept it close and lost to Bama 25-42. While the transitive property doesn’t always work in CFB, I’d like to think we’ve got a good shot. Not to mention they lost many of their stars from last year’s playoff team, like QB Desmond Ritter. Moving down the line, there’s a tough slate from 9/24 to 10/19, where the Hogs play 4 out of 5 on the road, including BYU and TAMU.
As always in the SEC West, there’s bound to be lots of variances. This Hog team has a legitimate path to finishing 10-2, but a couple of slip-ups could easily land them at 7-5 given this gauntlet of a schedule. Another 8-4 or even 9-3 season would be huge for this program, and proof that Pittman’s got the Hogs on the right track.
Either way, I’m looking forward to calling the Hogs this fall and TURNIN’ THAT DAMN JUKEBOX UP!