Let's look at the 2017 football Razorbacks

[Biggus Piggus]

Number one observation: Something dysfunction departed with last year's seniors, and the returning players + outstanding newcomers reached a higher level of dedication to individual and team preparation. I'll never quite understand what happened inside the team last season, but two things dragged 'em down: A broken defensive scheme, and veteran infighting.

Number two: The additions to the coaching staff, DL coach John Scott and OLB coach Chad Walker, have been well received by the players and recruits. But the biggest upgrade is at defensive coordinator, where Paul Rhoads is a tremendous improvement.

OFFENSE - Despite the loss of Rawleigh Williams III, Arkansas appears to be set up well. Talent level has been upgraded and will continue to improve as young players begin to contribute.

OL - Starters are stable, left to right, Colton Jackson | Hjalte Froholdt | Frank Ragnow | Johnny Gibson | Brian Wallace. The big shocker has been Fayetteville freshman Ty Clary ascending to the travel roster ahead of higher-rated recruits and veterans. It's still going to be interesting to see how much the rest of the depth chart matters. Jake Raulerson is better prepared to play, if needed.

The big question marks -- 1) is anybody a serious contender behind Jackson at LT (probably not), 2) why hasn't the line looked better at run-blocking (might take several games to start clicking).

QB - Austin Allen has elevated his game going into his senior season, and mighty Cole Kelley has the early lead as backup. This is a pretty good situation. We can expect accuracy and big plays, and the pass protection ought to be a lot better than last year's slopfest.

RB - Soph Devwah Whaley is the power-with-some-speed starter, South Carolina transfer David Williams is well rounded and can handle the protections. Freshman Chase Hayden is the wild card, having been unstoppable in scrimmages. Great instincts and vision, quick to the hole, breakaway speed. We were very fortunate to get him.

WR - Conventional wisdom focuses on Arkansas's loss of two seniors. But former Hogs pass-master Bobby Petrino would have lusted over the collection of receivers on campus right now. At the Z (akin to split end), La'Michael Pettway, Jordan Jones and Koilan Jackson bring different combinations of speed, length and strength. Behind them is 6-4 juco Brandon Martin, who has been slowed by injuries but has great potential.

Senior Jared Cornelius also has been plagued with injuries, but Deon Stewart, juco Jonathan Nance and T.J. Hammonds are faster and able to play outside or in the slot. Other freshmen are capable of helping soon. The receiver situation is promising, as rich as any time in the Petrino days.

TE - This position has benefited from the team-wide emphasis on improving size-speed ratio. Austin Cantrell has backed off from being a glorified tackle and is more like a real tight end again. Cheyenne O'Grady, Grayson Gunter and juco Jeremy Patton have different skills, and this position is functionally much deeper than it was last season.

FB - Kendrick Jackson has become a well-rounded fullback at last. He's pulled ahead of Hayden Johnson and is primed for a good season.

DEFENSE - Rhoads has moved to a 3-4 scheme that gets more speed onto the field. Many players are trying to rise up after being challenged by Rhoads, who is a very well-received motivator.

DE - McTelvin Agim is the most important player up front, the one with the greatest potential to be a disruptive factor. Briston Guidry, behind Agim, has been in and out of practice for personal reasons, and the team's still waiting to see his best. T.J. Smith, soph from Georgia, is up to 290 and has a handle on the other starting end position. For Agim and Smith, the move to the 3-4 was ideal. Armon Watts has overcome health issues to enter the DE rotation. After those four, we'll see.

NG - Arkansas plays to use senior Bijhon Jackson, soph Austin Capps, and redshirt freshman Dylan Hays in rotation. On passing downs, the Hogs will often move an end inside for more pursuit. It's a big mystery, what quality of play the defense will manage at this position. Game management will be a huge factor.

Inside LBs - It's clear that MLB De'Jon Harris and WLB Dre Greenlaw are way ahead of everybody else. The only other player who can get under the "mistakes" threshold is redshirt frosh Grant Morgan, though speedy Dee Walker is coming on. When Giovanni LaFrance masters the scheme, he will help too. Arkansas needs to get lucky health-wise with Harris and Greenlaw, because they can make big plays.

Outside LBs - Randy Ramsey, Dwayne Eugene and frosh Hayden Henry have turned into a good rotation at the Razor rush end. But much depends on Ramsey, who can be a serious pass rusher without hurting the run defense. At the big end or Hog, Karl Roesler is being pushed by juco Gabe Richardson, who is more of a body-type fit for the role. Ramsey could see time at the Hog, if the others are ineffective. Overall, Arkansas's a bit short of playmakers here.

CBs - You could look at starters Ryan Pulley and Henre' Toliver, plus nickel Kevin Richardson, and conclude that nothing's changed. But woah. Britto Tutt, Kamren Curl and Chevin Calloway bring speed and length that this position needs, and they are going to play. This position is very intriguing now.

Safeties - I really didn't want to see Josh Liddell and Santos Ramirez as the starting safeties again after last season. Star recruit Montaric Brown only joined practice this week after cinching eligibility. Liddell passed fellow senior De'Andre Coley on the depth chart again, probably no shocker. Redshirts Deon Edwards and Micahh Smith are not ready. We've been told about how hard Ramirez and Liddell have worked to learn the scheme and get in better shape. You never know what seniors can do.

Arkansas has four seniors and three juniors in the DB rotation, but the freshman infusion will be critically important in enabling the secondary to be flexible and disruptive. It's going to require crafty juggling from Rhoads, to make the veterans useful and cover for their limitations. Overall, though, this is a much-improved situation vs. last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS - Returners should be faster and quicker this season, with plenty of good candidates. Kicker Cole Hedlund is getting a little more consistent. The kickoff specialist competition has been good. Behind punter Blake Johnson, Cole Kelley is an exciting option. Coverage teams should be better due to the roster's improved speed quotient.

SCHEDULE - Arkansas has clearly improved across the board. How about the competition?

Florida A&M - weakling.
TCU - unclear how much change, but at home this time.
Texas A&M (Arlington) - lots in flux.
New Mexico State - not so great.
at South Carolina - talented but limited.
at Alabama - scary offense, defense uncertain.
Auburn - might be a juggernaut, might crash and burn.
at Ole Miss - clearly troubled.
Coastal Carolina - pushover.
at LSU - probably not as good as last season.
Mississippi State - improved but not by tons.
Missouri - improved.

The schedule appears to be slightly more favorable vs. '16, when Arkansas was not really that far from having a much better record than it managed. This football team has made significant strides and ought to finish with a much better record this time around -- unless some opponents really surprise.

[supersaint]

I enjoyed.  Thanks for taking the time to write it.

[Stephen Greene]

veteran infighting

do tell

[sowmonella]

Excellent info Biggus.

[bennyl08]

Who is Robert Shie...

Wait, that wasn't him?

[Biggus Piggus]

Who is Robert Shie...

Wait, that wasn't him?

I'm going to have to study up on my Shields + try to produce a representative facsimile.

[daprospecta]

The difference between this team winning 6 to maybe 8 games and 8 games to maybe 9 or 10 will be on the OL and Secondary.  If they play well, we can beat anybody in the SEC outside of maybe Alabama. 

[Biggus Piggus]

The difference between this team winning 6 to maybe 8 games and 8 games to maybe 9 or 10 will be on the OL and Secondary.  If they play well, we can beat anybody in the SEC outside of maybe Alabama. 

Yep, I buy that.

[presidenthog]

The difference between this team winning 6 to maybe 8 games and 8 games to maybe 9 or 10 will be on the OL and Secondary.  If they play well, we can beat anybody in the SEC outside of maybe Alabama.

I think it comes down to o line getting better at run blocking, and linebacker depth. Some guys on the inside and outside have to keep coming along and help us along the way.

[rzrbk4life]

Excellent insight Biggus. Football can't get here soon enough. WPS!

[southeasthog]

Thanks Biggus. I'm glad I was able to read this before the army showed up to nuke this non-negative (double negative?) write up.

[Hollywood_HOGan45]

I think it comes down to o line getting better at run blocking, and linebacker depth. Some guys on the inside and outside have to keep coming along and help us along the way.

This.  Success in short yardage situations will be huge.

[Cinco de Hogo]

Good read Biggus,

Still worried about left tackle and our defense but excited to see what the change to a 3-4 brings. 

[ricepig]

I'm going to have to study up on my Shields + try to produce a representative facsimile.

Shields never studied up on any facts, so it wouldn't be right for you to.

[swineology]

Shields never studied up on any facts, so it wouldn't be right for you to.

Who is Robert Shields?

[Al Boarland]

I think we could climb as high as 8 wins considering all those factors.

[FANONTHEHILL]

Great post Biggus.  I've seen a handful of practices and you're spot on.  I will add that the young ILBs are progressing a lot faster than I expected.  Dre and Scoota are heads and shoulder above, the the youngsters are coming on strong. 

Also, Colton has been outstanding at LT.  The switch has flipped and he's ready to compete at the SEC level. 

I haven't been posting much during camp, but there is something about this group that gives me a good feeling.  Arkansas has not had this combination of speed, athleticism, and heart in a while.  I'm excited to see them next Thursday.

[hawgdavis]

What time do they kick off tonight?

Ah $h!t wrong Thursday.

It will seem like forever till next Thursday , then it will pass us by like a warm summer breeze.

Can't wait!!!

[GunnerHawg70]

Great read and insight Biggus.  I have this sneaky suspicion that the hogs will rise above the expected 7-5 season predicted on dang near every site.  Now this all hinges on how aggressive and smart the defense plays...last season guys missed tackles (not wrapping up) and was out of position on numerous PA and/or misdirection plays; fell victim to leaving the middle wide open for QB's to run wild on designed runs (Miss St and TAMU notably).  Last year was literally a team that was good but not good enough.  I believe they will be more than good enough this season...WoooPig!!!

[razorbackfan86]

What time do they kick off tonight?

Ah $h!t wrong Thursday.

It will seem like forever till next Thursday , then it will pass us by like a warm summer breeze.

Can't wait!!!

But, how good does it feel to say "next Thursday is game day!?"

[Pigsknuckles]

veteran infighting

do tell

Yeah...that caught my eye too.

[1highhog]

I think it comes down to o line getting better at run blocking, and linebacker depth. Some guys on the inside and outside have to keep coming along and help us along the way.

I agree with the above statement.  If our OLine does master their run blocking assignments and our LB's play a lot better than years past then we will have a really good season.  Mix that in with our secondary have a great year this season and we can win 9 games this regular season and then see how things go with one more winnable game in a Bowl.

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

Who is Robert Shields?

Never, Ever, Ever thought I'd say this, but "Where Is Robert Shields"?

I know I'm gonna regret that...

[OneTuskOverTheLine™]

What time do they kick off tonight?

Ah $h!t wrong Thursday.

It will seem like forever till next Thursday , then it will pass us by like a warm summer breeze.

Can't wait!!!

I instantly saw this...

[Cinco de Hogo]

Great post Biggus.  I've seen a handful of practices and you're spot on.  I will add that the young ILBs are progressing a lot faster than I expected.  Dre and Scoota are heads and shoulder above, the the youngsters are coming on strong. 

Also, Colton has been outstanding at LT.  The switch has flipped and he's ready to compete at the SEC level. 

I haven't been posting match during camp, but there is something about this group that gives me a good feeling.  Arkansas has not had this combination of speed, athleticism, and heart in a while.  I'm excited to see them next Thursday.

Good to hear that about Colton if it carries over into games and the rest of the O-line is as solid as they appear to be we could have a very exciting offense.

[Hogopolis]

What I see as the difference between this team and last year is . 1 this years team has more speed and 2. This years team has worked harder and was more focused and driven in the off season.  Maybe more so than any team in the 40 years since I've been a Razorback fan.  IF everything the players and coaches have said about how hard the players worked all off season and how dedicated they all have been, this could be a very special (11-1) season.   

[Hogopolis]

Great post Biggus.  I've seen a handful of practices and you're spot on.  I will add that the young ILBs are progressing a lot faster than I expected.  Dre and Scoota are heads and shoulder above, the the youngsters are coming on strong. 

Also, Colton has been outstanding at LT.  The switch has flipped and he's ready to compete at the SEC level. 

I haven't been posting much during camp, but there is something about this group that gives me a good feeling.  Arkansas has not had this combination of speed, athleticism, and heart in a while.  I'm excited to see them next Thursday.

It's their heart that has me thinking 10 or 11 wins.   Burlsworth had the biggest heart of any player the past 40 years, but it seems this entire team has the most heart (desire) than any in memory.  I'm going to be pissed if we have been misled about that.  But......I don't think we have been.  So...... Arkansas will go 11-1

[Pig Power]

Fantastic write-up Biggus.. Can't wait till kickoff

[DeltaBoy]

Thanks for the report Biggus.

[jst01]

It's their heart that has me thinking 10 or 11 wins.   Burlsworth had the biggest heart of any player the past 40 years, but it seems this entire team has the most heart (desire) than any in memory.  I'm going to be pissed if we have been misled about that.  But......I don't think we have been.  So...... Arkansas will go 11-1

Heart and desire can do a lot, like make you play through pain and exhaustion. But it wont push a offensive tackle into the backfield or outrun a DB to get open. We need the mix of skill and desire and most of all...intelligence / focus. I think this team has the skill to win up to 9 if their in game intelligence / focus is at a very high level.

[WizardofhOgZ]

WR - Conventional wisdom focuses on Arkansas's loss of two seniors. But former Hogs pass-master Bobby Petrino would have lusted over the collection of receivers on campus right now. At the Z (akin to split end), La'Michael Pettway, Jordan Jones and Koilan Jackson bring different combinations of speed, length and strength. Behind them is 6-4 juco Brandon Martin, who has been slowed by injuries but has great potential.

Senior Jared Cornelius also has been plagued with injuries, but Deon Stewart, juco Jonathan Nance and T.J. Hammonds are faster and able to play outside or in the slot. Other freshmen are capable of helping soon. The receiver situation is promising, as rich as any time in the Petrino days.

TE - This position has benefited from the team-wide emphasis on improving size-speed ratio. Austin Cantrell has backed off from being a glorified tackle and is more like a real tight end again. Cheyenne O'Grady, Grayson Gunter and juco Jeremy Patton have different skills, and this position is functionally much deeper than it was last season.

I will agree that our depth and potential at WR is the best that it's been since the Petrino days.  However, to say that it is "as rich" (whatever that means?) as ANY time in the Petrino era is not so clear.  If, by "rich" you mean talented/full of potential, then I agree.  But there is no way I'd say that this current group - today - is as productive, or will make the impact, that the WR corps did in 2010 or 2011, due to the latter groups' experience.  With some playing time under their belts, they may well equal or exceed the Petrino collection; but I'm not ready to anoint them as "the best" quite yet.

As for the TE, you omitted the player who (barring injury) will probably have the second most snaps at that position this season - Jack Kraus.  He isn't the best at either area TE's are judged by (receiving; blocking), but he may be the best combination of the two that we have - other than Austin C.  Plus, he's proven his productivity on the field ahead of all of the others.

[niels_boar]

Great stuff as always.

[Shorttimer]

I like speed and I'm glad we have more of it.  The one area I'm concerned about on defense is speed on the back end.  We were SLOW at safety and the same personnel will be manning those positions again this year. I hope it was more of a mental issue (playing slow) than a physical one (being slow).

[bennyl08]

I like speed and I'm glad we have more of it.  The one area I'm concerned about on defense is speed on the back end.  We were SLOW at safety and the same personnel will be manning those positions again this year. I hope it was more of a mental issue (playing slow) than a physical one (being slow).

Ramirez has NFL speed. His biggest problems have been scheme and mental game. We have a new scheme (whether it's better remains to be seen) and he has unquestionably upped his mental game.

Liddell has good enough for SEC speed but isn't a speedster by any stretch.

Coley is more in the headhunter safety and will hit hard but is the slowest of the three.

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/offseason-grind-picks-up-in-week-5/

In doing some research, came upon this gem of an article. Coaches lined up an offensive and defensive player to do a 20 yard dash. Here are the results.

RW3 vs Toliver: RW3
Whaley vs KR3: Whaley
Stewart vs Ramirez: Ramirez
Pettway vs Pulley: Pulley
O'Grady vs Scoota: O'Grady
Cornelius vs Coley: Cornelius
Hammonds vs Liddell: Hammonds
Cantrell vs Eugene: Cantrell
Kraus vs AJB: AJB
K. Jackson vs. J. Harris: Jackson

[bphi11ips]

Ramirez has NFL speed. His biggest problems have been scheme and mental game. We have a new scheme (whether it's better remains to be seen) and he has unquestionably upped his mental game.

Liddell has good enough for SEC speed but isn't a speedster by any stretch.

Coley is more in the headhunter safety and will hit hard but is the slowest of the three.

http://www.arkansasrazorbacks.com/offseason-grind-picks-up-in-week-5/

In doing some research, came upon this gem of an article. Coaches lined up an offensive and defensive player to do a 20 yard dash. Here are the results.

RW3 vs Toliver: RW3
Whaley vs KR3: Whaley
Stewart vs Ramirez: Ramirez
Pettway vs Pulley: Pulley
O'Grady vs Scoota: O'Grady
Cornelius vs Coley: Cornelius
Hammonds vs Liddell: Hammonds
Cantrell vs Eugene: Cantrell
Kraus vs AJB: AJB
K. Jackson vs. J. Harris: Jackson

It might be important to note that the players were hitched to a sled with a 35 pound weight attached. Not your usual 20-yard dash.

[bennyl08]

It might be important to note that the players were hitched to a sled with a 35 pound weight attached. Not your usual 20-yard dash.

Definitely important to note that. Thanks, I missed it. With the weight "only" that of a sled+35 pounds, I still feel confident that sans added weight, the results of a 20 yard dash would still be the same.

[HogMantheIntruder]

Excellent post Biggus. Care to elaborate just a little on the veteran in-fighting? Like many others, I feel like this year's team has a huge mental edge over last year's. This could be a big contributor, but it's the first I've heard of it.

[flagstaffhog]

Excellent insight Biggus. Football can't get here soon enough. WPS!

I second that.

Go HOGS Go!

[swineology]

Never, Ever, Ever thought I'd say this, but "Where Is Robert Shields"?

I know I'm gonna regret that...

Fire Robert Shields!

Hire Biggus!

[PorkSoda]

Excellent post Biggus. Care to elaborate just a little on the veteran in-fighting? Like many others, I feel like this year's team has a huge mental edge over last year's. This could be a big contributor, but it's the first I've heard of it.

Im not an insider, and I doubt biggus wants to share names, but the way the season ended last year, I have no doubt there were some heated words between seniors last year.

Whatever was going on, we can only hope its gone and stays gone.

[HogMantheIntruder]

Im not an insider, and I doubt biggus wants to share names, but the way the season ended last year, I have no doubt there were some heated words between seniors last year.

Whatever was going on, we can only hope its gone and stays gone.

I imagine you're correct, about the season and Biggus' willingness to namedrop. I'm not expecting any names, though. I wasn't sure if there was a way to explain it without giving anything too specific away. The silence after a few people have asked answered that question.

[Oklahawg]

I imagine you're correct, about the season and Biggus' willingness to namedrop. I'm not expecting any names, though. I wasn't sure if there was a way to explain it without giving anything too specific away. The silence after a few people have asked answered that question.

You had seniors who checked out on the team early in the process, pre-summer workouts, even. You had dissent and alliances develop. When seniors are not about "team" it makes it tough to build chemistry, and it is hard to tell the young pups (more talented, in some cases anyway) to wait behind a senior who is not 100% locked in.

Add the variable of many players not buying the defensive scheme and it gets worse.

What is difficult for many fans to get: sometimes, you can just purge a problem or change a scheme, but often you have to let things run their course before you get to make changes or purges.

[hoghevn]

You had seniors who checked out on the team early in the process, pre-summer workouts, even. You had dissent and alliances develop. When seniors are not about "team" it makes it tough to build chemistry, and it is hard to tell the young pups (more talented, in some cases anyway) to wait behind a senior who is not 100% locked in.

Add the variable of many players not buying the defensive scheme and it gets worse.

What is difficult for many fans to get: sometimes, you can just purge a problem or change a scheme, but often you have to let things run their course before you get to make changes or purges.

I totally agree with this post.  Last year - there were 2 things I feel really cost us. 

1.  In the A&M game, the offensive play-calling early in the game on the goal-line cost us 2 touchdowns.  The coaches fault.  I hope this level of stubbornness is not there this year.  JUST SCORE

2.  The lack of disciplined senior leadership - especially the last two games.  Honestly, i would not have hired a senior starter off that team for a job if they had applied and were interviewing.  No maturity, discipline or TEAM attitude much less leadership.

I really think this team is different and the opposite of what happened last year is ingrained in them to the point they've worked hard and are focused on eliminating a casual, selfish attitude and REALLY want to win.  I'm hoping some intangibles called "desire", "determination", "focus", "drive", along with strong fundamentals and preparedness are there to carry us to 10 wins!!

[bphi11ips]

Definitely important to note that. Thanks, I missed it. With the weight "only" that of a sled+35 pounds, I still feel confident that sans added weight, the results of a 20 yard dash would still be the same.

You're the expert.

I assume they were pulling power training sleds and not blocking sleds. Power training sleds weigh about 20 pounds.  So these guys were pulling 55 pounds plus friction.  Something tells me lower body strength may have been a factor, but that's just me.

[bennyl08]

You're the expert.

I assume they were pulling power training sleds and not blocking sleds. Power training sleds weigh about 20 pounds.  So these guys were pulling 55 pounds plus friction.  Something tells me lower body strength may have been a factor, but that's just me.

I'm no expert on football. Just an educated enthusiast.

I've done running with a 50 pound bag on my back and yeah, I was slowed down, but it seemed like the slow down was pretty uniform. Didn't notice the smaller ones slowed down more than the bigger ones. Plus, it's not like they were having a LB compete with a WR. The players competing should be approximately equal in lower body strength and size.

But I can always be wrong. Somebody show me evidence and I'll change my tune. Maybe I'm underestimating how much impact 50 pounds has. I.e. I'd expect somebody like Capps to beat say Stewart in a race pushing a 200 pound sled. However, I'm expecting that Ramirez would beat Stewart in a 20 yard dash if there wasn't any weight either.

[Großer Kriegschwein]

The further we get from 2012-2013, the more diluted our genetic memory of losing every phase of the game becomes.

Been a fought 5-6 years.

[HF#1]

The scheme change defensively will not have the positive impact a lot of people seem to think it will. It makes us vulnerable against the run initially and probably all season. It requires LB's to fill gaps and make tackles, it requires them to be good. How many good LB's do we have? Not 4. We haven't been sound tacklers the last few years. I don't trust our LB's to be disciplined or make the tackles needed to stop SEC RB's.

I would argue the following teams will run for 200+ on us.

Alabama
Auburn
LSU
Mississippi State (QB will single handily account for 100 yards)

Changing the scheme of the defense is further proof that Bielema's style isn't a good fit for Arkansas. It was/is a desperate move. I could be wrong and hope I am but I do not think I am.

And the only thing uncertain about Alabama's defense is where they will fall in among the top 10 defenses in the country...

All that said, it's another 6-6/7-5 season. That is the Bielema ceiling.

[Biggus Piggus]

Whatever. It's a balancing act, regardless. The change in defensive scheme was critically important to fit the scheme with the roster + the opposition.

[GuvHog]

The scheme change defensively will not have the positive impact a lot of people seem to think it will. It makes us vulnerable against the run initially and probably all season. It requires LB's to fill gaps and make tackles, it requires them to be good. How many good LB's do we have? Not 4. We haven't been sound tacklers the last few years. I don't trust our LB's to be disciplined or make the tackles needed to stop SEC RB's.

I would argue the following teams will run for 200+ on us.

Alabama
Auburn
LSU
Mississippi State (QB will single handily account for 100 yards)

Changing the scheme of the defense is further proof that Bielema's style isn't a good fit for Arkansas. It was/is a desperate move. I could be wrong and hope I am but I do not think I am.

And the only thing uncertain about Alabama's defense is where they will fall in among the top 10 defenses in the country...

All that said, it's another 6-6/7-5 season. That is the Bielema ceiling.

You do realize that one of the main reasons for the switch to the 3-4 is to improve the run defense don't you??

[GoHogs1091]

The scheme change defensively will not have the positive impact a lot of people seem to think it will. It makes us vulnerable against the run initially and probably all season. It requires LB's to fill gaps and make tackles, it requires them to be good. How many good LB's do we have? Not 4. We haven't been sound tacklers the last few years. I don't trust our LB's to be disciplined or make the tackles needed to stop SEC RB's.

I would argue the following teams will run for 200+ on us.

Alabama
Auburn
LSU
Mississippi State (QB will single handily account for 100 yards)

Changing the scheme of the defense is further proof that Bielema's style isn't a good fit for Arkansas. It was/is a desperate move. I could be wrong and hope I am but I do not think I am.

And the only thing uncertain about Alabama's defense is where they will fall in among the top 10 defenses in the country...

All that said, it's another 6-6/7-5 season. That is the Bielema ceiling.

The switch to a 3-4 is worrisome.  Hopefully, it works out for the good.

An effective 3-4 requires an elite Nose Guard and it requires an elite Middle Linebacker.  Time will tell whether or not we have both of those.

I think one of the reasons for the switch was to get more speed on the field.  The possible problem/tradeoff for that is it may leave the Defensive Line more vulnerable.  The 3-4 may help us to better defend the outside runs, but opposing offenses may get their rushing yards on the inside runs.