Hog Wild: St. Francisco's Arkansas Razorbacks

[St. Francisco]

Gonna update this franchise in more...popular areas.

[St. Francisco]

THE WINDS OF CHANGE
IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE BCS BUSTERS, THE NCAA SHUFFLED 12 TEAMS

Every year, it seems as though there are a host of non-BCS teams in weak conferences who finish the season either undefeated or with one loss, and look to gain a BCS bowl bid at the end of the year...but it's always filled with controversy. Should an undefeated non-BCS team get in over a one-loss BCS team? How important is each team's strength of schedule? Is the non-BCS team really as good as everyone thinks they are, or are they simply the benefactors of a weak conference? This year, the NCAA took steps to reduce the end-of-season controversy by making changes to a total of five conferences.

In the Big Ten, Notre Dame will join the fray in 2010 after years of speculation that the Fighting Irish would eventually join the conference. Notre Dame joins Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan as the cream of the crap in what some refer to as one of the weaker BCS conferences in the nation alongside the Big East. The Fighting Irish will replace Indiana, who will look to rebuild their football program as an independent school this season. The freedom of not being locked into a conference schedule will allow the Hoosiers to schedule weaker opponents, which should lead to better records, and brighter recruiting classes.

In the Pac-10, perennial BCS buster Boise State joins the west coast powerhouse teams of USC, UCLA, Cal, and Oregon. For years, the Broncos have been a yearly favorite to gain a BCS bowl bid at the end of the season, but their weak conference schedule has always been a major point of discussion. If Boise St. can continue their success in the Pac-10, they'll gain the respect of the entire country, and finally get a shot at appearing in a national title game. Washington State will replace the Broncos in the WAC. The Cougars will have a good shot at competing in the weaker conference, with teams like Fresno St. and Hawaii sitting atop the WAC.

The Big XII got the biggest conference makeover, moving a total of three teams from the Mountain West. TCU joins perennial national title favorites Texas and Oklahoma in the Big XII South, while Baylor will now become perhaps the best team in the Mountain West. In the north, Utah and BYU will replace Colorado and Iowa State, adding some firepower to the traditionally weaker division of the Big XII.

Finally, the UCF Golden Knights joined in-state rivals Florida in the SEC East, while mediocre Vanderbilt will have a chance to excel in the C-USA.

With the new conference alignment set, the BCS action is sure to be intense in 2010.

[St. Francisco]

HOGS PRIMED FOR BREAKOUT SEASON
AFTER TWO DISAPPOINTING SEASONS, HEAD COACH BOBBY PETRINO HOPES THAT THE THIRD YEAR IS THE CHARM

When Arkansas introduced Bobby Petrino as the team's new head coach in 2008, fans began to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After winning thirteen conference championships and a national title as a member of the Southwest Conference from 1915 to 1991, the Razorbacks have been mediocre at best in their 17 years as a member of the SEC East. They have appeared in the conference championship game three times, but have come out on the losing side in all of those contests. Petrino's first season ended with a disappointing 5-7 (2-5) record, but the team showed improvement in 2009 behind the strong arm of recent Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett at quarterback, putting up a 7-5 (3-4) record, and earning a 20-17 Liberty Bowl victory against East Carolina to cap their season. With most of their starters returning for 2010, the team looks primed to make some waves in the ultra-competitive SEC.

The Razorbacks will most certainly rely on their passing game, led by fourth-year junior Ryan Mallett at quarterback. With juniors Greg Childs and Joe Adams lined up at wide receiver, and senior D.J. Williams (TE) creating mismatches in the middle of the field, Mallett will have no shortage of targets. Protecting the team's most valuable asset is a solid offensive line anchored by seniors DeMarcus Love and Ray Dominguez at the tackle positions, and junior Seth Oxner (C). Meanwhile, sophomore Ronnie Wingo and junior Broderick Green will provide a solid change of pace out of the backfield. Defensively, Arkansas isn't as talented as they would like, but the team will field a solid set of starters that should manage to keep the ball in the offense's hands for the majority of the game.

"I can honestly say that this is one of the most talented offenses I've ever had the pleasure of coaching," said Petrino in a recent press conference. "If we go out there and execute, and manage to stay healthy, we have a legitimate shot at competing for the SEC title."

Hope is high in Arkansas, but most fans remain guarded in their enthusiasm. After all, the Razorbacks compete in what many regard as the toughest conference in college football, so they'll have no shortage of obstacles on the way to the top. But the pieces are certainly in place for Arkansas to make a statement in 2010.

[Hasselbeck]

If Mallett connects on more than 40% of his passes, I'm calling shenanigans :D

[St. Francisco]

Thanks guys, gonna try and get the roster and schedule up tonight.

[Rudi]

Ill follow this shit, tear up the SEC bro

[Justo]

following

[St. Francisco]

2010 TEAM ROSTER


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[St. Francisco]

Removed -- messing with the layout.