In the past, the Southeastern Conference Western Division has been a wide-open race right down to the finish. This year holds more of the same with five of the six teams receiving first place votes at SEC Media Days in Birmingham. The Arkansas Razorbacks, with an improved offense along with a proven defense, are within the grasp of the SEC Western Division title this year. Head coach Houston Nutt’s Hogs return five offensive starters and seven defensive starters from the 2001 campaign.
Senior tailback Fred Talley will assume the starting job but will receive help from juniors Brandon Holmes and Cedric Cobbs and redshirt freshman, De’Arrius Howard. Another offensive threat for the Hogs is sophomore quarterback Matt Jones. Jones stepped into the starting role midway through the season and shared time at the helm for the Razorbacks.
The Arkansas defense returns the No. 4 defensive back core in the nation, in some eyes this year. The Razorbacks return three of the 2001 starters in the secondary. Junior free safety Ken Hamlin and cornerback Lawrence Richardson, both named to the SEC Pre-season teams, will anchor the defensive backfield for the Hogs.
Also in favor of Arkansas is this year’s schedule. Under Nutt, the Razorbacks have seemed to be almost unbeatable at home and in the state of Arkansas. Last season, the Hogs were 6-1 in the state with wins over SEC foes South Carolina, Auburn and Mississippi State. The only loss came to Tennessee (13-3) in Fayetteville.
This season the Razorbacks will host eight games in the state, three of these played in Little Rock. SEC foes that will make the trip to Arkansas this year include Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Louisiana State, with the Tigers making the trip to Little Rock.
With factors going their way in a division and conference that seems wide open every year, it is not hard to see that the Razorbacks could make a run for the West title and a trip to Atlanta.
The Razorbacks will pay a visit to Mississippi State and Davis Wade Stadium five days before the Egg Bowl on November 23.