Bet Arkansas Razorbacks – Can Petrino, Mallett Bring An SEC Title?

2009 Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Recap

Veterans of online betting knew Bobby Petrino would bring an explosive, high-scoring offense with him to Arkansas. After a decade of former head coach Houston Nutt’s run-oriented attack, the change was welcome. Saddled with personnel that were better suited for Nutt’s power running attack, the 2008 Razorbacks squad sputtered at times offensively. The 2009 edition, however, lived up to all of the explosive expectations.

NCAA football betting practitioners knew the addition of quarterback Ryan Mallett would make a world of difference in the Razorbacks’ offense. Their intuition was correct as the transfer from Michigan produced more passing yards and touchdowns than in any other season in Arkansas history. Mallett was stellar, passing for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Mallett did not do it alone, however.  The typically balanced Petrino offense saw Arkansas rush for 154 yards per game as well. All in all, the 2009 Razorbacks finished in the top 20 in total offense, clocking in at 427 yards per game.

The downfall for Arkansas lay on the defensive side of the football. For instance, the Razorbacks put up 485 yards of offense and scored 41 points against Georgia. The problem? They allowed 530 yards and 52 points! In fact, the Arkansas defense struggled so often that five of their 13 opponents gained 400 yards or more. If not for the ability of Mallett and the offense to consistently respond, it might have been a very long year in Fayetteville. However, the offense was able to carry the team to a 7-5 regular season and a Liberty Bowl win over East Carolina.

2010 Preview To Bet Arkansas Razorbacks

Sports betting experts suspected there’d be offensive fireworks in 2009. In 2010, they’ll be expecting the grand finale. There’s every reason to expect it. Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino has moved on to try and rescue Ron Zook at Illinois, but the change will have no impact on Arkansas as the offense is and always will be a Bobby Petrino creation. Ten of 11 starters return on the offense including Mallett, four of the top five rushers, and all four for the top receiving targets. Several preseason publications have listed the Arkansas receiving corps of Jarius Wright, Greg Childs, and Joe Adams as one of the top groups in the nation. With Petrino’s playcalling, Mallett’s remarkably strong arm, the skill position weapons, and four of five offensive linemen returning, the Razorbacks will be a matchup nightmare for every opponent.

If experience brings improvement, then the defense that gave up so many yards and points in 2009 can only improve in 2010. Seven starters return including a very talented secondary. While they took their lumps last season, corners Rudell Crim and Ramon Broadway should enable their experience to benefit Petrino and the rest of the UA coaching staff.

The schedule is conducive to a run at the SEC West title in 2010. The Razorbacks don’t draw Florida from the East and only play four true road games. They do play Texas A&M in a neutral site game in Arlington, Texas, which will likely be a home crowd for the Aggies. The two crucial games in the race for the West, Alabama and LSU, are at home. If the defense is only mildly improved, Arkansas may very well book its fourth-ever trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game.