As a fan of both Bama and Arkansas, I know it is a big hill to climb to beat the defending SEC Champs (spit... they were a few miracles away from a mediocre season). Barn wasn't nearly as good as their record indicated last year and Arkansas wasn't as bad as their record. No doubt, Arkansas was terrible last year in certain phases of the game (Secondary, LB's and overall QB play) and was still reeling from the Petrino disaster. Brandon Allen played hurt most of the year and there was zero depth at QB to step in. He is healthy and the Offense has a much better grasp of Chaney's playbook.
The primary reason I think this game COULD be a win for the Hogs is that Defensively they are going to be much improved. The back 7 was horrendus and the one strength of the team (D-line) was the victim of a weak D-Coordinator last year. Adding a much more aggressive philosophy with a new coordinator and some actual linebackers will pay dividends. Still not up to SEC par on the 2-deep, so injuries will play a big role.
Not many teams were able to keep Auburn from moving the ball last year and I don't think Arkansas will completely stop them this year. My view is that this game will be very close with one team (hopefully the Hogs) winning by no more than 3 points.
The primary reason I think this game COULD be a win for the Hogs is that Defensively they are going to be much improved. The back 7 was horrendus and the one strength of the team (D-line) was the victim of a weak D-Coordinator last year. Adding a much more aggressive philosophy with a new coordinator and some actual linebackers will pay dividends. Still not up to SEC par on the 2-deep, so injuries will play a big role.
Not many teams were able to keep Auburn from moving the ball last year and I don't think Arkansas will completely stop them this year. My view is that this game will be very close with one team (hopefully the Hogs) winning by no more than 3 points.