Five reasons Arkansas football could surprise experts and exceed expectations in 2024

Expectations could hardly be lower for Arkansas football in 2024. The Hogs are predicted to finish 14th in the SEC in preseason polls conducted by USA TODAY Sports Network and at SEC Media Days within the last two weeks.

The BetMGM Sportsbook has set the Razorbacks ' win total for the upcoming season at 4.5, forecasting a similar season to the 4-8 campaign of 2023.

Sam Pittman is on the hot seat, and he knows it, so how can the Hogs surprise the experts and give Pittman more time leading the program?

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Here's a look at five reasons for optimism that could power Arkansas football to a better-than-expected season. If the Razorbacks are going to make a bowl game and shoot past that 4.5 win number, these storylines will come true by December.

Bobby Petrino and Taylen Green are a perfect fit

There are many reasons Arkansas struggled in 2023, but a big factor was the lack of cohesion between offensive coordinator Dan Enos and quarterback KJ Jefferson. This was a potential pitfall before the season , and it eventually reached the worst-possible outcome.

Pittman brought Bobby Petrino back to Fayetteville and told the former head coach to go find his quarterback in the transfer portal. Petrino landed on Green, who he recruited out of high school, and the combination of athleticism and arm talent is obvious.

If Green and Petrino get the best out of each other, the Hogs will unquestionably be better on offense.

The offensive line improves dramatically

The offensive line was the biggest reason for last year's disappointment. Arkansas couldn't protect Jefferson and never found a groove running the football.

If one of the worst offensive lines in the country can turn into an average unit, Arkansas will have a much higher floor in 2024.

A full season with Luke Hasz

The tight end was on his way to being a freshman All-American with 16 catches, 253 receiving yards and three touchdowns before sustaining a season-ending broken collarbone in Week 5. He was quickly becoming a focal point of the offense and Arkansas' biggest matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

With Hasz out, the Hogs' offense took a nose dive, but the Oklahoma native is healthy and primed for a big year in 2024. He should be a favorite target of Green and create bigger openings for the other Arkansas pass catchers.

Defensive wins from the transfer portal

Pittman was adamant at SEC Media Days that Arkansas "hit" on Green, but the Hogs will need a majority of their transfer portal recruits on defense to provide meaningful impacts immediately.

The Razorbacks added 22 players through the portal this offseason. Big things are expected of linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr., defensive back Doneiko Slaughter and defensive end Anton Juncaj. All three levels of the defense will be filled with fresh faces on the biggest stages of their football careers.

A reversal of fortunes in front of home fans

Arkansas went 0-5 at home against Power 5 teams in 2023. A narrow loss against BYU eventually laid the groundwork for humiliating defeats to Auburn and Missouri at the end of the season.

The Razorbacks have an unfavorable start to the upcoming campaign, with just one game in Fayetteville prior to Oct. 5, but if they can survive that early stretch, there could be some electric home environments over the final two months. The Hogs' 2024 SEC home schedule includes longtime rivals Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas.

Arkansas needs to capitalize with at least one home-field upset.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Five reasons Arkansas football could surprise experts and exceed expectations in 2024