The first full slate of the season can be a mixed bag of emotions for many teams across the country. While teams like LSU and Florida scheduled heavy-hitters for their season-openers, most of the country’s top teams will make up a slate of FCS matchups and tune-up competitions.
No matter what happens, we can always count on the fans to display the full range of emotional responses. Some fanbases will crown their team national champions following a week 1 win. Others will throw the season out the window following a loss.
So, for the Arkansas Razorbacks, what should we expect to see in a week 1 matchup against FCS opponent Western Carolina? Let’s talk about that, then look at a dream and disaster scenario for the Hogs.
Week 1 Expectations
Arkansas has opened each of its seasons under Sam Pittman with a tick in the win column. Interestingly enough, though, each of those wins were closer than the typical week 1 beatdowns we might see. After matchups against Rice and Cincinnati, this should be a friendlier start for Hog fans.
We should expect to see Senior QB KJ Jefferson and Junior RB Rocket Sanders put up a few quick scores, then assume their spots on the sidelines for the remainder of the game. Beyond that, this will serve as a prime opportunity for backup QB transfer Jacolby Criswell to assume control over the offense.
On the defensive side of things, there might be a few more question marks. Following a campaign in which the Hogs secondary ranked dead-last in the entirety of FBS football, we’re all hoping to see improvement from that squad, in whatever form that takes. Fans will also be eager to see the effectiveness of the Razorbacks new defensive schemes under their new co-defensive coordinators.
Things could be rough from drive-to-drive as the team works out the kinks and builds some rapport, but fans should feel secure in the Hogs ability to pull out to a comfortable lead early and hold onto it. It should go without saying, but the biggest enemy the Arkansas Razorbacks could face this weekend are injuries. Coming out of this game, and their early out-of-conference slate, healthy is imperative to any success the Hogs are hoping for.
Week 1 Dream Scenario
Secondary get some stops and force turnovers
After the injury-ravaged season we saw last season, depth was a problem that the staff set out to fix this offseason, especially in the team’s secondary. Led by a handful of seasoned transfers, the defensive backs will look to make a jump from the atrocity that was on the field last year.
Nothing would be a jump in the right direction more than to start the season by not just seeing the secondary survive, but actually create some serious noise in week 1. We know the front 7 will force the Catamounts playmakers to be uncomfortable in the backfield, so we’ll be watching to see when the secondary can start making some plays and forcing turnovers.
Some key stops and big plays could be all this squad needs to build some momentum and confidence going into the next few weeks. All eyes will be on them to step up.
Week 1 Disaster Scenario
Hogs have a repeat performance of their 2022 matchup against Missouri State
The Razorbacks last game against an FCS opponent was more than uncomfortable. Bobby Petrino capitalized on some early hiccups by the Hogs in his return to Fayetteville, which had Arkansas standing face-to-face with a 17-0 deficit midway through the second quarter. Had it not been for the heroic performances of Bryce Stephens, Rocket Sanders, and the Arkansas pass rush, the 2022 Hogs legacy may have been very different.
The worst thing the Arkansas Razorbacks could do is start their 2023 season in the same boat. While nobody expects this game to be anything less than a blowout, the beauty of college football is the “any given Saturday” aspect to the game. That is, unless you’re on the receiving end of one of those losses (looking at you, Texas A&M vs Appalachian State).
Anything that could force the Hogs hand in playing their key playmakers in a close scenario should make fans uncomfortable. The Catamounts have never beaten an FBS team, but the Razorbacks have experienced it once before… an opening week loss to the Citadel in 1992. They should do what they can to make sure there isn’t a repeat performance to start their 2023 season.
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