I was looking at Arkansas after I heard that Broderick Green will get to play this year and I guess I had just not been paying close enough attention to their upcoming schedule. Look at this ungodly and unbroken stretch of games (USA Coach's Poll preseason ranking):
9/19 Georgia (13)
9/26 @Bama (5)
10/3 @Texas A&M
10/10 Auburn (39)
10/17 @Florida (1)
10/23 @Ole Miss (10)
Arkansas is ranked 44 in that same poll. There is a good chance that a) Arkansas loses at least 4, probably 5, and maybe all 6, and b) Petrino coaches elsewhere next year (but that's always the case, isn't it?)
I know Miami opens tough
9/7 @FSU (19)
9/17 GaTech (15)
9/26 @VaTech (7)
10/3 Oklahoma (3)
but it doesn't look as bad to me since its 2 less games and at least they get OU at home.
I'm not claiming that Arkansas's schedule is the toughest over the course of the whole season (but I'm not saying its not either), but you have to admit that that is one god-awful stretch. I think that this, combined with Green's recent eligibility that isn't reflected in any of the mags/rags, may offer some opportunities taking them and the points. Arkansas's record will look atrocious in spite of them being much improved over last year.
I think the same reasoning may hold for Miami as well. They don't have the recent addition to the roster, but on the other hand, they are probably less likely to end up so physically and mentally beat-up that they pack it in around mid-October.
If anyone knows of any other teams that go through such a stretch, please let me know. I am particularly interested in teams with awful scheduling in September.
9/19 Georgia (13)
9/26 @Bama (5)
10/3 @Texas A&M
10/10 Auburn (39)
10/17 @Florida (1)
10/23 @Ole Miss (10)
Arkansas is ranked 44 in that same poll. There is a good chance that a) Arkansas loses at least 4, probably 5, and maybe all 6, and b) Petrino coaches elsewhere next year (but that's always the case, isn't it?)
I know Miami opens tough
9/7 @FSU (19)
9/17 GaTech (15)
9/26 @VaTech (7)
10/3 Oklahoma (3)
but it doesn't look as bad to me since its 2 less games and at least they get OU at home.
I'm not claiming that Arkansas's schedule is the toughest over the course of the whole season (but I'm not saying its not either), but you have to admit that that is one god-awful stretch. I think that this, combined with Green's recent eligibility that isn't reflected in any of the mags/rags, may offer some opportunities taking them and the points. Arkansas's record will look atrocious in spite of them being much improved over last year.
I think the same reasoning may hold for Miami as well. They don't have the recent addition to the roster, but on the other hand, they are probably less likely to end up so physically and mentally beat-up that they pack it in around mid-October.
If anyone knows of any other teams that go through such a stretch, please let me know. I am particularly interested in teams with awful scheduling in September.
