Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

11/29/2011 at 3:48pm

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Does the presumed return of Knile Davis and other offensive playmakers in 2012 have you feeling good about next year? Our roundtable discusses.

Former Arkansas All-America defensive end Bruce James and the gang are back for the last roundtable of the regular season, moderated by Jim Harris. Let us know what you think too in the comments section at the end.

Jim Harris: ASU still has to beat Troy Saturday for 10 wins, but could you have imagined before the season that Arkansas and ASU would both win 10 games? With UCA's season still going in the FCS playoffs, has this been the best year in college football for Arkansas in modern times?

Bruce James: Yes, this has been one of the best that I can remember in the last 20-25 years.

Mickey Ryan, Jonesboro sports talk-radio host: Those three teams basically went two months without a loss, which is just unreal. That equals a lot of happy fans over a long period of time. Thirty wins between those three teams is truly something special.

TJ Carpenter, Fayetteville sports talk-radio host: No. The Razorbacks control what does and does not excite for the vast majority of the state. The end of the season was a letdown and unfortunately, even with 10 wins, the Hogs are out of the BCS. I don't think the excitement of seeing some of the smaller institutions succeed outweighs the disappointment many fans have, not in the season, but how hard it is for Arkansas to get out of the shadows of Alabama and LSU.

Chris Bahn: You have to go back to 1975 to get anywhere close to this, right? That year ASU went 11-0, even got votes in the national poll, and Arkansas won a Southwest Conference title and the Cotton Bowl, finishing 10-2. Granted, UCA was only 4-6-1 that year.

Harris: And competing in the old AIC, Chris. You’d have to talk about Henderson State for a third team back then, I think.

CBahn: So, yeah, what a year this has been. Arguably the best ever when looking at all three programs. Unfortunately, I think men’s college basketball in this state is setting up to be the exact opposite.

Harris: Ugh, the long harsh winter comes … let me add that KATV’s Steve Sullivan had an interesting viewpoint Monday. He said this 10-2 Hog season didn’t feel nearly as good as last year’s 10-2 regular season.

Mark Carter, AS360.com weekly predictions guru: The Hogs, frankly, finished where most thought they would. ASU exceeded expectations but not by that much, really, and the same could be said for UCA. This is the best combined year for the "big 3" (why does UAPB get no love?) since ASU and UCA were making deep playoff runs in the ’80s.

Justin Acri, KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz program director: I have been saying it for weeks now. Think about it. There was a 23-0 run at one point for the three teams combined. That will more than likely NEVER EVER HAPPEN AGAIN. Two bowls and a playoff appearance as a reward. Amazing.

Brent Birch, CEO of Flex360 and former Razorback baseball player: No question the best season in modern times. Can't remember one better in my lifetime. Hats off to ASU and UCA for having great seasons. Too bad it’s in the same season the Hogs are doing so well. Hurts their media exposure a little bit.

Jim Harris: Now that the Hogs' regular season is over and the bowl destination is still unknown, we can look at what's coming back for 2012. Do you see enough big-play-potential players outside of Tyler Wilson for the Hogs to contend again?

Bruce: It sort of goes without saying with the personality of what Bobby Petrino wants to do, we’re going to field a good offense. The question is whether we’re going to be good enough defensively to win games in the West. You’re losing your No. 1 tackler [Jerry Franklin] of the last four years. The question mark is still out there. Are the redshirt linebackers good enough? I can’t answer that; I haven’t seen them.

Mickey: I'd say yes. There will be some huge losses on both sides of the ball — but a lot of young guys have stepped up this year and blue-chip recruits will be in the mix too. A healthy Knile Davis and another year of Tyler Wilson certainly won't hurt either.

TJ: Wilson, Knile Davis, Ronnie Wingo, Dennis Johnson, Cobi Hamilton, Marquel Wade, Chris Gragg, Alonzo Highsmith, Tenarius Wright, Tevin Mitchel, most of the defensive interior... stop me when you’re excited about next season.

Harris: You’ve named a bunch of returning starters. But are there enough playmakers? I see Wilson, Davis — if he returns — and Cobi and maybe Chris Gragg on offense, Highsmith, Tenarius and maybe Bennett on defense as guys I saw truly make plays, played like All-SEC players, though I’m basing Wright and Davis on their 2010 seasons.

TJ: The problem is that having playmakers isn't enough. Arkansas contended THIS year. It wasn't enough. The standard for Arkansas to not only contend but to win championships is higher than it is for any other program in the country. Go undefeated in the SEC, beat LSU and Alabama, and MAYBE compete for a national title. The standard isn't even that high for Alabama. They lost to LSU and still get in. OSU lost to Iowa State, and still might get in. Playmakers aren’t enough. They need smothering depth like LSU and Alabama. It’s BCS National Title or bust.

CBahn: Assuming everybody comes back that should come back and nobody gets higher-than-expected draft feedback, there are some playmakers — Knile Davis, Chris Gragg, Cobi Hamilton. Where we really need to cast a critical eye is the front seven on defense and the offensive line. I’m not sure I see enough difference-makers returning there. And as LSU and Alabama reminded folks once again, those are the areas that genuinely matter in football.

Carter: Yes. Petrino has the program poised to contend every year. Yes, we'll have enough coming back (Knile, Cobi, Gragg) plus all the talented redshirt freshmen. Finally, we can afford to redshirt some guys. That's a luxury we couldn't afford when Petrino took over.

Acri: Heck yes IF Knile is back. He is key. Gragg has emerged as maybe the best TE in SEC. I love Cobi Hamilton as No. 1 option and have seen just enough from guys like Herndon and Wade to feel good about it.

Birch: Getting Knile Davis back, hopefully healthy as pre-injury, will be huge. Big stable of receivers waiting in the wings as I suspect someone will emerge to offset Cobi Hamilton. Double-digit wins isn't out of the question given the schedule but there are some big holes to fill.

Jim Harris: What turned out to be the biggest surprise for the Hogs this season?

Bruce: Winning 10 ball games after we lost Knile Davis before the season started. That was a major loss, and even with him I only thought we’d win nine games.

Birch: Probably the emergence of Jarius Wright as a weapon. He was always a reliable, possession-type guy but this year he has broken out as a big-play machine. Seems everyone else played as expected outside of the following biggest disappointment. Tyler Wilson jumping in as a first year starter and having the year he has had is also impressive.

Mickey: The losses to Alabama and LSU were tough, but the stretch in between is what I'll remember most. Whether it was a comeback for the ages (Texas A&M); digging out of a hole (Ole Miss, Vandy); or just taking care of business (Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, Miss State) the team ignored critics and kept believing in itself.

TJ: The emergence of Joe Adams, not just as a good player and punt returner, but the best punt returner and one of the best playmakers in the country. He made a potent offense electric.

CBahn: I’ll be shocked if I’m the only one that says this: I was most surprised by Tyler Wilson’s toughness. He impressed me in a way I wasn’t expecting. Wilson really took a lot of hits, violent hits, and did a nice job delivering the ball. Once he figures out the full command of the offense he’ll be really good.

Carter: For me, Greg Gatson's steady play at corner has stood out. Also, punt coverage notwithstanding, special teams play. Breeding and Hocker have truly been weapons. And, of course, our return game has been, say it Houston, special.

Acri: The surprise for me is that they just aren't there yet from a talent standpoint. Thought after LSU last year they had turned the corner. At least they can see the corner now!

Jim Harris: What was the biggest Hog disappointment?

Bruce: Obviously, the death of Garrett Uekman, that goes without saying, was a huge disappointment for all of us. A tragedy. Beyond that, the defensive line’s play after all that was said about it before the season, and the Petrino incident at the end of the LSU game was a huge disappointment for me because of what it does for our image throughout the South. I know that it hurts us in recruiting outside this state whether people around here believe that or not.

Mickey: Hard to poke many holes in a 10-2 season - but if I picked anything I'd say the defense. They ranked No. 40 in scoring defense in the NCAA and 51st in total D. They were 46th in the nation in allowing third-down conversions and tied for 67th in turnovers gained. They gave up 79 points in the two losses.

TJ: The defensive interior was allegedly the strength of the defense and for most of the season it was their largest weakness. It certainly didn't get the job done in Arkansas' two losses and many times throughout the season Arkansas won in spite of their lackluster play. I don't know if it is coaching or talent but something needs to change and quick there. Their success should not be dependent on whether or not Arkansas can sustain long drives and keep them fresh.

CBahn: It surprised me that the offense disappeared in big games. A lot of criticism gets leveled at the defense and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson, but this offense averaged 240 yards and mustered a combined three touchdowns in its biggest games (LSU/Alabama). I thought the offense really hung the defense out to dry against LSU in the third and fourth quarters.

Harris: I’m disappointed in how I bought in to the hype about the defensive line. I don’t think this defense was any better than last year’s, and at times worse. I didn't like the way the Hogs played on the road all year, either.

Birch: The biggest disappointment was probably the coaches and media for overhyping the defensive front line. Just didn't live up to the preseason billing. Or maybe that falls on the players' shoulders. The defensive front hasn't been near as dominating as fans were led to believe coming into the 2011 season.

Carter: Honestly, the run defense. Going in, I expected the D to finally start winning games for us, especially with our deep front. I know we were hit hard by injuries, but it seems like the DL and LBs were hit and miss, sometimes quite literally.

Acri: LSU for me since I felt like they had a shot and then took a 14-0 lead. I only get emotionally invested once every couple years where I yell at TV. I was there. It was like when Jermain Taylor knocked Pavlik down in the 2nd and then got knocked out. I was numb. That being said, amazing year and record about what I expected.

Jim Harris: OK, let's say Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma Saturday. Justify leaving OSU out of the BCS Championship Game for an LSU-Alabama rematch.

Bruce: I just don’t think they have the football team, and the people understand that the two best football teams are LSU and Alabama. The loss to Iowa State removes them from being considered with Alabama.

Mickey: Oklahoma State had a great year, and their one loss (in this scenario) came during the week their school experienced a terrible tragedy. It did come to Iowa State though. One and two have got to play again. This year, a rematch just feels right.

TJ: Oklahoma State lost to Iowa State. (drops mic and crosses arms).

Harris: I get that, but then we talk about how each week of the regular season is a playoff, per se. Alabama had its chance. We know the Pac-12 and ACC don’t have a team that matches up. Do we know for certain that a Big 12 team can’t hang with LSU, or Bama. I just don’t like a rematch if we don’t have a playoff system and each week is supposed to mean something. If two-loss OU clobbers OSU this week, or just beats them, then I’m fine with it.

Cbahn: That loss to Iowa State looms pretty large in the minds of a lot of people. So if you’re just judging on the one loss for each team, it’s not hard to leave the Cowboys out. When you start comparing wins and strength of schedule, though …

Carter: It's easy to justify because Okie State isn't nor will it be one of the top two best teams even if it beats OU. Clearly, LSU and Bama are a cut above this season.

Acri: There is no argument for anything else. Not even close. Neither team has been challenged by anyone but the other team. OSU lost to ISU and had to pull off two miracles before that. I like Bama in the rematch, but will root for LSU.

Birch: They lost to Iowa State. Period. Teams deserving of a title game shot don't lose those games. Realize tragedy struck that week for the OSU family but the game was right there for OSU to win despite not hitting on all cylinders. Championship teams pull those games out. See a ton of Auburn games last year as an example. ‘Bama has dominated everyone outside the best team in the country. The best two teams need to hook it up for all the marbles. 'Bama and LSU are the best two, and it's not even close.

Jim Harris: For the Hogs, Cotton or Capital One, and why?

Bruce: I’m a player’s guy, and bowl games are supposed to be rewards for players. If you talk to those players, they are going to want to go to Florida. They go to Dallas every year already. They’ll get rewarded more for going to Florida in mileage to travel and see an area of the country they maybe haven’t seen.

Mickey: Capital One all the way! I know there's a ton of tradition with the Cotton Bowl (and I love tradition) but you gotta love a trip to Florida during the winter!

TJ: Cotton. Selfish reasons mainly. It will be a more entertaining matchup (perhaps OU), it's closer, Jerry World is a palace and the Capital One Bowl is a dump.

CBahn: Assure the Razorbacks a matchup with Oklahoma or Oklahoma State and the Cotton Bowl is a no-brainer. Travel is easier for most of the team and fans, the game is in an area the University of Arkansas recruits heavily for football players and students/alumni and the bowl is the only one on TV Jan. 6. People will pay attention. IF – and I can’t stress this enough — the matchup is a good one, Cotton is the way to go. I’m not sure what benefit playing Kansas State in Dallas really has.

Carter: Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho; 40,000 fans as opposed to 10-15,000. While the Cap One maintains status as the top non-BCS bowl, the Cotton is coming on strong, thanks to Jerry Jones. The Cotton could strengthen the perception that we own Dallas as much as any other team. It sure won't hurt Metroplex and Texas recruiting. It's the only game that day. Fox will promo the heck out of it in its NFL coverage. Generally, our brand stands to benefit more from playing in Dallas.

Acri: Cotton. Cap One felt like a BCS last time we went as far as prestige. Thanks to Coach Petrino the feeling for me is BCS bowl and then everything else. If it isn't BCS, I want to see it be affordable and easy to get to for fans. Cotton rules by that rationale. Why is this game not top-tier behind BCS anyway? That bowl needs a new marketing department. It is a great city and destination and started 10 years before the Capital One. I just don't get it.

Harris: I can tell you that, No. 1, and it doesn’t matter to anyone but us, the media are treated as well or better at the Cotton Bowl than anywhere. It used to be one of the Big Four bowl games. I think it lost a lot of luster in that rundown stadium, the Southwest Conference falling apart, the Fiesta Bowl buying its way into the top tier, and so forth. But at Jerry’s stadium, I think the Cotton is having a resurgence. They just don’t need Arkansas vs. Kansas State, though.

Birch: Cotton Bowl is an easier-to-get-to destination, good for recruiting with the game in DFW against a Big 12 opponent. But its very regional in nature. Capital One Bowl against a Big 10 runner up would be a more prestigious game on a bigger stage nationally. With Hogs top 10 BCS, I like the sound of national exposure.

Harris: I’ll say one last thing — Arkansas better win this bowl game, wherever it is. Losing last year to Ohio State didn’t diminish all that was accomplished, but I think fans will start to question things if they are beaten in the bowl this year after reaching No. 3 in the rankings.

What do YOU think? Give us your thoughts in the comments section. Did you enjoy the pressbox roundtable this season? How might we do it differently, or better?

Tagged: Capital One Bowl, AT&T Cotton Bowl, Mickey Ryan, Justin Acri, Brent Birch, Mark Carter, TJ Carpenter, Chris Bahn, Jim Harris, Pressbox Roundtable, Bruce James