Nov 15, 2014; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Damon Mitchell (7) breaks the tackle of LSU Tigers linebacker Deion Jones (45) during the first half at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Hopes are high for the Arkansas Razorbacks as they enter season three in Fayetteville under Bret Bielema. The Hogs have the second-highest over/under prediction in the SEC West behind only Alabama with a number of 8.5 wins on the season. Many have the Razorbacks picked as the up-and-coming team in the entire SEC.
However, some still doubt the Razorbacks are capable of managing a difficult schedule that features only three SEC games at home and a number of tough matchups on the road. One of those doubters is Jerry Palm of CBS Sports. Palm was a recent guest on Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly to discuss his projections, which feature Arkansas heading to the Birmingham Bowl.
Palm's rationale includes Mississippi State having the best quarterback in the SEC, therefore they will not finish last in the division in his mind, as well as Arkansas having perhaps the most difficult schedule in the entire SEC.
Of Arkansas' three SEC home games: Auburn, Mississippi State and Missouri, Palm believes Arkansas can only win the latter two games, as he has Auburn winning the SEC and advancing to the College Football Playoff. Palm believes Arkansas finishes the season with a 7-5 record in 2015.
Last season's Birmingham Bowl featured the Florida Gators against the ECU Pirates, in a 28-20 Gator victory.
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