Arkansas Needs To Justify Rank With Blowout In Opener

Arkansas received a boost to their BCS football odds hopes when quarterback Ryan Mallet decided to return for his senior year. They’ll get an even bigger one when they face the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in a layup game that will kick start their SEC Championship hopes.

Mallet’s 2009 campaign was brilliant to say the least. He threw for 3,624 yards and 30 touchdowns while giving up just 7 interceptions. His return to the hyper competitive SEC gives Arkansas the odds on chance of repeating as the scoring leaders in the conference, which they accomplished last year with 35.8 points per game.

The entire offensive unit has returned this year alongside Mallet, including his four best receivers. That’s a huge boost for Arkansas since they’re primarily a passing team. Last year they were the 10th best passing school in the nation, notching 308.7 yards per game through the air.

It may be a sharp departure from the days of Felix Jones and Darren McFadden way back when, but it’s a welcome one. You can’t win in the SEC without a capable quarterback, and Mallet is in a position to make a strong Heisman run considering that fellow SEC star Mark Ingram is injured already.

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (0-0) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (0-0)

Saturday, September 4th — Razorbacks Stadium — 7:00pm EST

SEC Football Championship Odds: Arkansas +800

Mallet is in the top-5 for 2010 Heisman Trophy odds right behind quarterbacks Terrelle Pryor and Jake Locker. Though he’s listed right behind Ingram in the adjusted odds, Mallet can sneak ahead of Locker because – let’s face facts – the Washington Huskies are a horrible football team.

What gives Mallet an even better chance in 2010 to go toe-to-toe with Pryor is that his backfield has also remained intact. Broderick Green led the team with 442 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, but all the tailbacks in Arkansas are entrusted with pass protection and blocking to secure their football odds in each game.

The Razorbacks went 8-4 SU last season while posting and overcame the spread with a 7-5 ATS record as well. They’ll look to carry the momentum they gained in a 20-17 victory over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl towards SEC glory.

It’s no secret in college football that the SEC is the best division there is. Florida, Alabama, Georgia, LSU and South Carolina will all be trying to make bids for the Conference Championship. At the very least, the Razorbacks have the tools to overcome the football odds. Whether they can use them to become champions remains to be seen.

Bet on Conference Champions in college football here!