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RazorbacksWire editor E. Wayne picks Arkansas’ football season, game-by-game

E Wayne
·4 min read
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Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

As Arkansas opens its 2023 football season Saturday against Western Carolina, there are high hopes for the Razorbacks in coach Sam Pittman’s fourth years. Most significantly, Arkansas finally doesn’t have a ridiculously hard schedule.

More like a regularly hard schedule. The Hogs play in the SEC, after all.

Editor E. Wayne has come within one game each of the last four years of picking Arkansas’ end-of-regular-season record. But the difficulty was amped this year for two reasons.

One, the aforementioned schedule. Two, who knows what Arkansas’ wide receivers and revamped defense will do. If it’s on the positive, those nine wins the Hogs homers have could happen. If it’s on the negative, hello five-win season.

Well, turns out, Wayne is leaning in one direction more strongly than the other. Here are his game-by-game picks for the season.

Western Carolina - September 2 (home)

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Sam Pittman of the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/arkansas/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Arkansas Razorbacks;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Arkansas Razorbacks</a> stand with his team before taking to the field for a game against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/missouri/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Missouri Tigers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Missouri Tigers</a> in the first half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Sam Pittman of the Arkansas Razorbacks stand with his team before taking to the field for a game against the Missouri Tigers in the first half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Arkansas 52, Western Carolina 7

Arkansas WIN

Record: 1-0

Kent State - September 9 (home)

Dec 28, 2022; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (16) during the fourth quarter against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/kansas/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Kansas Jayhawks;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Kansas Jayhawks</a> in the 2022 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 55-53. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2022; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (16) during the fourth quarter against the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2022 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Arkansas won 55-53. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas 45, Kent State 10

Arkansas WIN

Record: 2-0

Brigham Young - September 16 (home)

Oct 15, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fans celebrate after a play in the first half as the Razorbacks face the Brigham Young University Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Provo, Utah, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks fans celebrate after a play in the first half as the Razorbacks face the Brigham Young University Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gabriel Mayberry-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas 34, BYU 31

Arkansas WIN

Record: 3-0

LSU - September 23 (away)

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – NOVEMBER 12: Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers is sacked in the first half by <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40109" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Drew Sanders;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Drew Sanders</a> #42 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – NOVEMBER 12: Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers is sacked in the first half by Drew Sanders #42 of the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 12, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

LSU 27, Arkansas 13

Arkansas LOSS

Record: 3-1, 0-1 SEC

Texas A&M - September 30 (neutral)

Sep 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/40118" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Devon Achane;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Devon Achane</a> (6) is tackled by Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Bumper Pool (10) during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Devon Achane (6) is tackled by Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Bumper Pool (10) during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M 27, Arkansas 24

Arkansas LOSS

Record: 3-2, 0-2 SEC

Ole Miss - October 7 (away)

Nov 19, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks to Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman prior to the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2022; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin talks to Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman prior to the game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 28

Arkansas LOSS

Record: 3-3, 0-3 SEC

Alabama - October 14 (away)

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – OCTOBER 01: Raheim Sanders #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/alabama/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Alabama Crimson Tide;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Alabama Crimson Tide</a> at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 01, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 49-26. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – OCTOBER 01: Raheim Sanders #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of a game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 01, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks 49-26. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Alabama 38, Arkansas 14

Arkansas LOSS

Record: 3-4, 0-3 SEC

Mississippi State - October 21 (home)

Oct 8, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Dwight McGlothern (3) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Lideatrick Griffin (5) during a play that would result in a pass interference penalty against Arkansas in the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Dwight McGlothern (3) breaks up a pass intended for Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Lideatrick Griffin (5) during a play that would result in a pass interference penalty against Arkansas in the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas 31, Mississippi State 17

Arkansas WIN

Record: 4-4, 1-3 SEC

Florida - November 4 (away)

Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/florida/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Florida Gators;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Florida Gators</a> head coach Billy Napier during the first quarter against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/tennessee/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Tennessee Volunteers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Tennessee Volunteers</a> at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier during the first quarter against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas 24, Florida 23

Arkansas WIN

Record: 5-4, 2-3 SEC

Auburn - November 11 (home)

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – OCTOBER 16: Raheim Sanders #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the second half during a game against the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaw/teams/auburn/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Auburn Tigers;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0">Auburn Tigers</a> at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 38-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS – OCTOBER 16: Raheim Sanders #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball in the second half during a game against the Auburn Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Tigers defeated the Razorbacks 38-23. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Arkansas 24, Auburn 14

Arkansas WIN

Record: 6-4, 3-4 SEC

Florida International - November 18 (home)

Sep 18, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks mascots during the second quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks mascots during the second quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas 49, Florida International 7

Arkansas WIN

Record: 7-4

Missouri - November 24 (home)

Nov 25, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman, left, talks with Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz prior to a game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman, left, talks with Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz prior to a game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Arkansas 27, Missouri 21

Arkansas WIN

Record: 8-4, 4-4 SEC

Story originally appeared on Razorbacks Wire