Looking at characteristics of good team

By Jerry Meadows

FAYETTEVILLE — What are some of the characteristics of a successful football team?

In analyzing the potential of a football team there are several factors to consider.

What is the talent level on both sides of the ball?

Is the coaching staff respected by the players?

Can the offense produce the necessary points to win games?

Can the defense stop a running team? or a passing team?

Will the offensive line be able to protect the QB?

Are there skilled players at every position on offense?

Will the defensive line be able to put pressure on the opposing QB?

Is there a developed leadership among the players for this year?

Is there a sense of brotherhood among the players?

How tough is the Strength of the schedule?

Will they be able to avoid injuries to key players on the team?

The first thing that pops out about the offense is they have talented players at every position that score points. On defense, over 18 players beginning their third to sixth year in college football are competing for a starting position. So, the talent level is significant this year.

At every press conference with the players, there is nothing less than respect and admiration for their coaches. From the offense led by Coach (Bobby) Petrino to the defense overseen by Coach (Travis) Williams, the players have voiced their belief in their coaches to guide them to what they want to achieve this year.

Will the offense be explosive? Today’s scrimmage would indicate that, but a scrimmage cannot be compared with game-type experience. Will the defense dominate the opposing teams? Again, these are the unknowns during pre-season. The personal suggests that defensively Arkansas could be very good this year.

There has been plenty written about the woes of the offensive line for Arkansas last year. To address that problem (Sam) Pittman recruited Fernando Carmona of San Jose St, Keyshawn Blackstock of Michigan St, and Addison Nichols of Tennessee. The offensive line should average about 6’5″ and 316 lbs. To mold this new unit into shape, Pittman hired Eric Mateos as offensive line coach. I have been told that Mateos may prove to be another brilliant hire by Pittman in righting the ship for this year. If the offensive line is as improved as some suggest, Scoring points will not be a problem for Arkansas in 2024.

One thing is obviously clear. Arkansas is practically 2-deep in all the skilled positions on offense of QB, RB, TE, and WRs. If Petrino can consistently get the ball in the hands of his stable of thoroughbred receivers and running backs the guys over the fireworks may need to bring more explosives to the home games.

Last year Arkansas had some success in rushing the QB. Will this ability improve? This is another question that cannot be answered with a definite answer. Did Coach Williams bring pressure last year? Yes! Has the defense improved? There are signs that it has, but in the SEC the pressure of playing elite teams almost every week back-to-back will be one of the greatest challenges for the Razorbacks to be successful. Last year the defense allowed 100 yards less per game than the previous year. If Williams can duplicate such success again, Arkansas is going to win a lot of games.

Early in the spring, Landon Jackson spoke with Taylen Green about their leadership on the team. Although Landon was vocal on defense last year, he said he realized he needed to be more connected with the BDs and not just the front seven. He also saw where he could become a voice in encouraging the offensive line. Taylen has likewise been an inspiration to the defense. Such leadership should yield dividends on both sides of the ball in the upcoming season.

By getting the opportunity to listen to the players interact with each other, you can get the feel that whether it is the DBs, QBs, WRs, DLs, OLs, or LBs there is unity within each group. Constantly, it is said that each group eats together and plays video games together which helps in building a closeness among the players even though they are competing for the same positions. The less they are distracted the more focused they will be on the field.

Now, in addressing the strength of the schedule, we have to remember this is the SEC. However, this year could be the most favorable schedule in the Pittman era. UAPB will be a game to fine-tune both the offense and defense. Oklahoma State will be the game that may cause the rest of the conference to pause and take another look at Arkansas. UAB in Fayetteville should be either the second or third win of the season. Arkansas may hit a bump in the road at Auburn, but I would never count the Razorbacks out of that game. Arkansas will win the final Southwest Classic against A&M and will be either 4-1 or 5-0.

Then the meat of the season begins with Tennessee, LSU, at Mississippi State, Ole Miss, and Texas. Fortunately, Arkansas will have only two away games out of the final seven, Mississippi State and Missouri. There will be two bye weeks before the LSU and Texas games which sets up for a perfect storm to occur in Fayetteville from October to mid-November. If for some reason Arkansas finds itself in the final stretch of the greatest turnaround season in Arkansas football history, Louisiana Tech and Missouri will become the final victims in Pittman’s bid to become Coach of the Year in the SEC.

Of course, the fly in the ointment to every promising season is the unforeseen injuries that affect every football season.

Many are calling for much less from the football team this year. Another 4-8 season has been the prediction by many. I guess they have not seen what Pittman has done to correct last year’s disappointment, but I have and another 4-8 season makes no sense at all. Most likely Arkansas will finish 9-4 including a bowl win, but if they live up to their potential a 10-2 record is not out of the picture, and maybe even a ranking in the top 12 getting into the first National Championship Playoffs.