Predicting the 2013 SEC Football Season: Arkansas Razorbacks

In a series leading up to fall camps, I have purchased a German predicting octopus to help me figure out how it will all unfold in the upcoming season. I have named him Rocko.

To heighten anticipation, I will leave Alabama for last. Otherwise, we will go alphabetically. First up is...

Arkansas Razorbacks 4-8 (2-6)

Synopsis: The Razorbacks' 2012 season ended the moment Bobby Petrino uttered the words "wanna go for a ride?" Petrino's scandal, fibbing, and firing in April 2012 left quite a wake. The Hogs were suddenly without a head coach, a gameplan, or much confidence heading into spring practice. After losing to La-Monroe, Arkansas was humiliated at home by Alabama 52-0. Though they later rebounded with wins over Auburn and Kentucky, 2012 was an epic fail and a season most Hogs fans would like to forget.
Key Losses: RB Knile Davis, WR Cobi Hamilton, QB Tyler Wilson, OG Alvin Bailey, S Ross Rasner, QB Brandon Mitchell (transferring)
Key Returners: QB Brandon Allen, DE Trey Flowers, S Rohan Gaines, C Travis Swanson
Newcomers: Head coach Bret Bielema, TE Hunter Henry, RB Alex Collins

The Schedule:

8/31/13 Louisiana (Fayetteville, Ark.) - Win
9/7/13 Samford (Little Rock Ark.) - Win
9/14/13 Southern Miss (Fayetteville, Ark.) - USM pulled a rare feat with a winless season one year removed from 12-2 (6-2). Don't expect a rebound year. Win
9/21/13 Rutgers (Piscataway, NJ) - The Hogs will have a lot going for them: 3-0 confidence and revenge. Is it enough? Rocko thinks so: Win
9/28/13 Texas A&M (Fayetteville, Ark.) - Reality check 1: Loss
10/5/13 Florida (Gainesville, FL) - Reality check 2: Loss
10/12/13 South Carolina (Fayetteville, Ark.) - Reality check 3: Loss
10/19/13 Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) - Reality check 4: Loss
10/26/13 bye
11/2/13 Auburn (Fayetteville, Ark.) - How will Arky handle four tough weeks in a row? Fortunately for them, they have a bye before this game. This was a tough one to pick but the octopus is taking the home team. Discuss: Win
11/9/13 Ole Miss (Oxford, MS) - The Rebels or Bears or whatever the bleep they are calling themselves these days should probably have 4 losses by this point. A bye week gives OM time to regroup: Loss
11/16/13 bye
11/23/13 Mississippi State (Little Rock, Ark.) - The Pigs need this one to get into the Phil's Feed & Supply Bowl in Terre Haute, Indiana. Ain't gonna happen: Loss
11/30/13 LSU ( Baton Rouge, LA) - Loss

Let's go Bowling? Sorry, not this year.