Bobby Petrino's Arkansas offense could be dangerous in the SEC

Arkansas may have lost to Oklahoma State on Saturday, but Razorback fans can take some solace in the stat sheet.

Yes, it's true that Arkansas shot itself in the foot multiple times, including offensively, en route to a double-overtime loss, but Bobby Petrino's offense was able to move the ball with ease for much of Saturday's game.

The Razorbacks' offense hummed to the rhythm of 648 yards, including 129 on the ground from running back Ja'Quinden Jackson, who had three rushing touchdowns.

For the second consecutive game, Arkansas' offensive line accomplished what was a rare feat for the Hogs in 2023, opening up running lanes and giving quarterback Taylen Green time to throw.

Green did make a couple of costly mistakes on Saturday, most notably throwing a pick-six and taking a sack in overtime that led to a missed field goal. But, for the most part, he was on the money. Green threw for 416 yards and ran for 61 more, including a long scramble on Arkansas' first possession.

Green also showed the ability to extend plays and find the open man downfield, making a crucial throw on third-and-10 on Arkansas' final drive that got the Hogs into field-goal range. His mobility was apparent in Arkansas' win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, but it was a good sign for Arkansas to see Green's athleticism carry over to Power Four competition.

Of course, Arkansas' offense did come up short ultimately, and its stagnation in the second half played a big part in OSU's comeback. But there's no doubt that Bobby Petrino's offense can play with the best of them.

Arkansas' Fayetteville opener against UAB lies ahead on Sept. 14, but a murderers' row of SEC opponents looms. In games against Auburn, Texas A&M, Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas, the Razorback offense will have to be sharp.

Two games isn't a huge sample size, but at the very least, Saturday's game proved what most Arkansas fans suspected after a 70-0 season-opening win: the team's offense is legit, and Petrino is still as good as any offensive coach in the country.