If you're looking for an off-the-wall pick in the SEC Western Division in 2015, don't look at Arkansas. Find someone else to come out of the woodwork to take the SEC West by storm.

Why aren't the Hogs on my spoiler radar? Well, I think they might deserve more than just dark horse status in 2015.

But Edward, Arkansas won just seven games last season and didn't have an SEC win until Nov. 15 (after 17 straight league losses). The Hogs have sleeper written all over them, right?

Despite some close losses in 2014, Bret Bielema, right, has Arkansas on the rise in the SEC West. Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

True, a 7-6 team isn't exactly the team you pick to be swimming in blue-and-yellow confetti inside the Georgia Dome in early December, but I think we can all agree that the Hogs left a couple more wins on the field last fall -- four losses were by seven points or less. This team lost to Alabama and Mississippi State, which both ranked No. 1 in the nation this season, by a combined eight points. With the way this team bounced back from being so snake-bitten for most of the season, I think it's safe to assume there is a lot of momentum in Fayetteville.

After losing three straight in the middle of the season, Arkansas won four of its last six games, including shutting out No. 17 LSU 17-0 and pummeling No. 8 Ole Miss 30-0. The season culminated with a decisive 31-7 romp of Texas in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

After a very strong finish to 2014, Arkansas should enter the new year oozing the type of confidence exhibited by its head coach. The Bret Bielema tenacity showcased in games and on social media has bled into his players. What was a relatively soft group before he took over has transformed into one of the league's most physical teams on both sides of the ball. Teams hurt and will continue to hurt against Arkansas.

The brawny, pound-you-into-the-ground running style Bielema used at Wisconsin has become a sledgehammer of a tool for the Razorbacks. The Hogs finished the 2014 season averaging 218 rushing yards per game (10 games with 150-plus yards) and 5.1 yards per carry. Running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, who return in 2015, both eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards, and each had 12 touchdowns.

Returning with that dynamic duo are four starting offensive linemen, starting quarterback Brandon Allen, and four of Arkansas' top six receiving targets. That is a lot for a coach going into his third year at a program. And though Allen, who threw for 2,285 and 20 touchdowns this season, absolutely must be more consistent, he has those running backs to lean on, making his job much easier.

It's almost unfair when you consider both backs averaged more than 5.3 yards per carry.

Defensively, please proceed with caution when you play the Hogs. I really can't stress that enough.

Outside of returning four starters along the defensive line and a relatively experienced secondary, Arkansas signed first-year defensive coordinator Robb Smith to an extension. He really was the driving force behind Arkansas' complete defensive transformation in 2014. The Hogs climbed to 10th nationally in total and scoring defense, after finishing the 2013 season ranked 76th in total defense.

Arkansas ranked second in the SEC in total defense and held opponents to 17 points or less eight times, with six of those coming against eventual bowl teams. The Hogs capped the season by holding Texas to 59 total yards on 43 plays (1.4 yards per play), the lowest offensive output by any FBS team this season.

And only a few defensive starters are leaving, so watch out.

Let's not forget that Arkansas currently has the No. 21 recruiting class in the country, according to ESPN's RecrutingNation. Five commits are ESPN300 members, and Bielema won't hesitate to play any of those guys early.

Arkansas isn't perfect, far from it. Allen has to improve and the Hogs need a top-flight receiver (are you ready, Keon Hatcher?). Replacing Trey Flowers and Martrell Spaight on defense won't be easy. Oh, and that whole SEC West thing.

Still, there is no reason to sleep on Arkansas. Next year's nonconference games are all winnable. And Auburn, Mississippi State, and Missouri -- who beat the Hogs in 2014 -- have to play in Fayetteville.

Bielema is building for a legitimate SEC run in 2015, and it shouldn't surprise anyone.