The Arkansas Razorbacks could be the cat’s meow heading into next season, but that’s assuming a couple of things fall into place.
Head coach Bobby Petrino has done an excellent job of turning around this SEC program and if stud quarterback Ryan Mallett returns and the Hogs can with their bowl game, sports wagering experts will have to give this team a lot of respect heading into next season.
East Carolina has been excellent under head coach Skip Holtz and after leading the team to their second consecutive Conference USA title, they hope he sticks around.
This should be an interesting contrast of offense versus defense.
Arkansas Razorbacks vs East Carolina Pirates
Sportsbook.com Odds (Sportsbook.com Review): Arkansas -7.5
2009 Recap: Arkansas
The Razorbacks had a slow start to the season but as the mantra goes, it’s not how you start, its how you finish. On the strength of the highest scoring offense in the SEC – yes, higher than Florida – and a 4-1 finish, the Razorbacks are one of the hotter teams heading into the bowl season.
With Mallett leading the offense, the Hogs have a very potent attack. The defense is still a work in progress but teams that were not able to slow down Mallett this year usually ended up on the losing end.
2009 Recap: East Carolina
East Carolina didn’t have the season it had in 2008, but it was still good enough for a second straight Conference USA title. There were no stunners against West Virginia or Virginia Tech this year but it was still a solid year.
They had a disappointing loss to SMU early in the year but swept the conference schedule after that. Then they topped Houston in the title game, which landed them in the Liberty Bowl for a second straight year.
Matchup
Internet sports betting cappers will see East Carolina play an SEC team for a second year in a row but it’s hard to imagine the results being any different.
East Carolina blew a big lead against Kentucky in the Liberty Bowl last year and this year they are playing a better team from the SEC. Arkansas is hot right now and while East Carolina has a decent defense, they haven’t beaten anyone elite this year (Houston doesn’t count).
Arkansas needs this win to spring board for next year and they’ll get it in emphatic fashion.
Sports Handicapping Pick: Arkansas -7.5
