Arkansas Razorbacks Preview | Expert Predictions & Best Bets for 2024

Arkansas Razorbacks Preview, Predictions & Season Win Total Pick

After two good seasons in 2021 and 2022, the Razorbacks took a nose dive off a cliff in 2023 and posted a 4-8 record. The expectation is that things will get worse before they get better with Arkansas, highlighted by another lowly win total of just 4.5 in 2024. Led by head coach Sam Pittman, the Razorbacks have some talent on defense, but question marks remain on offense if they can realistically score with the top dogs in the SEC. 

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Arkansas Razorbacks Preview

2023 Record: 4-8 (1-7); SEC Finish: 7th in SEC West 
AP Poll: NA | Coaches Poll: NA | PFF: No. 56
Head Coach: Sam Pittman 23-25 (11-23) | 5th Season | Overall: 23-25
Co-Defensive Coordinator: Travis Williams/Marcus Woodson | Offensive Coordinator: Bobby Petrino

Arkansas Razorbacks Futures Odds (FanDuel)

National Championship Odds: +40000 | CFB Playoff Odds: +5000
SEC Championship Odds: +25000 
Regular Season Wins: OVER 4.5 -122 | UNDER 4.5 +100

Arkansas Preview: Why You Should Be Bullish

There’s a lot of interesting talent on defense for the 2024 version of the Razorbacks. The most significant question mark is how the talent will fit together on the field. It’s nice that there’s something to go off of on paper, but they’ll need to shut down some of the top programs in the country, which could be problematic. Teams won’t want to run the football on the Razorbacks, and if their secondary improves like many expect, there’s some real potential here. 

Arkansas Preview: Why You Should Be Bearish

The offense has issues all over the field. The Razorbacks couldn’t move the football in 2023, and new starting quarterback Taylen Green will be tasked with figuring out a solution in 2024. Green’s game has some admirable traits but also some significant flaws. It will be difficult for the Razorbacks to keep up on that side of the football. 

Breakout Player: RB Ja’Quinden Jackson

Not only will Green have to take a step forward on offense for the Razorbacks to find success, but they’ll also need other weapons to do the same. Transfer running back Ja’Quinden Jackson has plenty of solid tools after coming from Utah. He must work with an offensive line that could take some time to gel. Still, the talent is there for Jackson to make a difference in 2024. 

Arkansas X-Factor: QB Taylen Green

We mentioned above that Green will need to transition to the SEC after spending the last two years as the starting quarterback for Boise State. It’s no secret that the SEC is an entirely different beast, meaning it might take some time to adjust. Green can scramble, but he’s also been prone to some turnovers throughout his collegiate tenure. The transition might be more seamless if Green can cut down the turnovers and create with his legs. 

Arkansas Schedule Analysis

Although it’s not the death row run that some other teams will have to face in the SEC, it certainly won’t be easy for a program of Arkansas’s stature in 2024. The Razorbacks don’t have the most challenging start to the year with Arkansas-Pine Bluff in their opener, followed by No. 17-ranked Oklahoma and UAB. The ending is where things get almost unbearable, which will feature the Razorbacks taking on No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 4 Texas, and No. 11 Missouri in four weeks. 

Arkansas Prediction: OVER/UNDER 4.5 Wins

Although the Razorbacks have some bright spots on defense to look forward to, the offense has multiple new parts that will take time to find cohesion. The issue for the Razorbacks is that they don’t have that time to exceed their win total this year. With a daunting end of the year and more questions than answers on offense, we’ll ride with the plus-money value of the under 4.5 wins at +100. 

Arkansas Preseason Pick

UNDER 4.5 (+100) (FanDuel Sportsbook)

Arkansas Best Bets

The new additions to the SEC have added another layer of difficulty for teams like the Razorbacks. Even if we’re bullish on parts of their roster, we’re not sold that they’ll figure it out in time to make a real difference. 

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