Though many assume Arkansas football will experience growing pains and adversity due to all the transition in 2018, Phil Steele expects the Razorbacks to be one of the most improved teams in the nation next season, ranking them No. 12 in his ‘2018 Most Improved Teams’ list as part of his annual college football preview magazine.

“I’ve actually got Arkansas on my most improved list this year. To make the most improved list you have to have a losing record last year, and I project you to get to a bowl game this year. I’m thinking things will turn around,” Steele said in a recent interview on SportsTalk with Bo Mattingly. “Generally, you know, when a new head coach comes in, there’s a rebuilding year. Especially thinking that Chad Morris is a completely different offensive system from what Bielema ran. They’re also switching up the defensive system as well, but a lot of talent too, there. And a lot of experience, 17 returning starters coming back. They only lose 18 lettermen from last year.”



Despite multiple question marks, returning talent and a lightened load as far as scheduling goes should allow new head coach Chad Morris to improve upon last season’s results. In Bret Bielema’s final season, the Hogs ended the year with tight home losses to Mississippi State and Missouri, finishing 4-8 (1-7 SEC). Morris is coming off a 7-5 season and a bowl appearance at SMU after taking over a program that finished 1-11 in the year prior to his hiring. His program showed gradual improvement each season, something he hopes to carry over in Fayetteville.



Steele believes a recently porous Arkansas defense should show improvement under the tutelage of a new defensive coordinator. The college football writer mentioned the presence of a pair of defensive linemen as well as two All-SEC caliber linebackers. On the offensive side of the football, Steele says that Cole Kelley getting baptized by fire last season will prove valuable in 2018. Maligned by many the last few years, Steele even claimed the Razorback offensive line looks competent heading into this season.



“Defensively, they bring in ‘The Chief,’ John Chavis as the defensive coordinator. After the defense has been sort of sliding back every single year, I like some of the talent. You look at defensive end Randy Ramsey up front. Agim at the nose guard spot. The linebacking corps with Greenlaw and Harris looks solid, and the secondary looks good,” Steele said. “Offensively, you have to like Whaley at running back, Cole Kelley got some experience - unexpected experience last year when Austin Allen got injured. That’s going to help them out this year, and the offensive front looks solid.”



Since Arkansas is scheduled to play Colorado State instead of Michigan this season, the Hogs don’t have a single Power 5 non-conference opponent on this year’s slate. Within the SEC, the Razorbacks host Alabama, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and LSU. Going into the season, Steele already has Arkansas favored in enough games to make a bowl appearance in Morris’ inaugural season.



“I think they open up 3-0. If you open up 3-0 under a new coach, a lot of times that gets the players buying in, buying into the new systems and really believing in themselves. Later they’ve got a stretch where they host Ole Miss, Tulsa and Vandy, so I have them favored in six games right out of the box, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they won a game or two after that,” Steele said. “That’s why I put them on my most improved list. I don’t think they’re going to contend for the SEC West title this year, but I think Arkansas fans will be pleased in the first year of a new head coach. Just getting back to a bowl game is a good first goal.”

