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.
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 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 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
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 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
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
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)
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
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 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)
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
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
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