Arkansas Razorbacks Football

August isn't a time when fans want to hear breaking news about stars of their favorite teams, and Arkansas Razorbacks fans found that out the hard way Sunday.

The school announced Sunday that star running back Jonathan Williams will miss a significant period of time after suffering a foot injury in Saturday's scrimmage.

Head coach Bret Bielema commented on the injury in a release emailed by Arkansas:

I have no doubt that Jonathan will come back stronger than ever. Anyone that knows Jonathan Williams knows this is just another opportunity for him to prove the man of character and substance that he really is. It’s an unfortunate injury to a great young man, but we are in the process of gathering as much information as possible. There are short- and long-term impacts of how he proceeds, and we want to make sure he does what’s best for him and his family, and his career beyond Arkansas.

Bielema confirmed on Monday that Williams would be out for the regular season, but could return for a bowl game.

Bielema: "@Jwillpart2 won't be with us for the regular season"

— Arkansas Razorback Football (@RazorbackFB) August 17, 2015

Williams, a senior who came back to school after rushing for a team-high 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns and considered a jump to the NFL, commented on the injury in the release.

"This is no doubt a tough moment, but I know through my faith and hard work that I will make a full recovery," said Williams.

It's a tough blow to Arkansas because, while junior Alex Collins is an established star after rushing for 2,126 yards over the last two seasons, Williams is the most complete back on the roster. What's more, Arkansas' edge on offense was the ability to sub running backs for a full four quarters and keep them both fresh in an attempt to wear down opposing defenses.

The unselfish nature of both running backs is something that Bielema has taken a ton of pride in, first at Wisconsin and now at Arkansas, and Williams' absence will put a ton of pressure on either Collins to carry the load or reserves such as junior Kody Walker and freshman Rawleigh Williams III to step up and play more of a significant role in the backfield rotation.

Should Jonathan Williams' injury change your perception of the 2015 Hogs? 

Not really.

If you felt they were contenders before, you should still feel the same way. 

The other running backs will still be successful behind that massive and experienced offensive line, and the presence of new offensive coordinator Dan Enos—who produced 3,000-yard passers in four of his last five seasons as the head coach at Central Michigan—will help quarterback Brandon Allen become more of a threat in the downfield passing game.

If that happens—and it should—the running game will be just fine.

If you're more cautious in your approach of the 2015 Hogs based on the defensive holes they have to fill, this shouldn't really impact where you expect them to finish in the SEC West pecking order. The bottom line is that linebacker Martrell Spaight (Washington), defensive end Trey Flowers (New England Patriots) and defensive tackle Darius Philon (San Diego Chargers) accounted for 37.5 of Arkansas' 81 tackles for loss last year (46.3 percent) and all are lost to the pro ranks this year.

Whether Williams is playing running back or not, Arkansas still needs to replace that production.

The injury is terrible news because he was one of the best and most underrated running backs in the SEC. I mean—he wasn't even the most recognizable running back on his own team, despite two years of tremendous work alongside the electric Collins.

His absence, though, isn't going to make or break the Hogs' SEC West title hopes. Those hopes rest on defensive coordinator Robb Smith and his ability to restock the front seven.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com. Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and national college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93 XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter: @BarrettSallee.

Arkansas was dealt a major blow Sunday when the school announced that running back Jonathan Williams would miss the regular season with a foot injury that will require surgery, according to Brett Brecheisen of ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Continue for updates. 

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Bielema, Williams Speak About Diagnosis

Sunday, Aug. 16

Head coach Bret Bielema weighed in on Williams and his eventual return on Sunday:

I have no doubt that Jonathan will come back stronger than ever. Anyone that knows Jonathan Williams knows this is just another opportunity for him to prove the man of character and substance that he really is. It’s an unfortunate injury to a great young man, but we are in the process of gathering as much information as possible. There are short and long term impacts of how he proceeds and we want to make sure he does what’s best for him and his family, and his career beyond Arkansas.

Williams tried to remain positive as well.

“This is no doubt a tough moment, but I know through my faith and hard work that I will make a full recovery,” he said.

Losing Williams is a huge blow for Arkansas. He's rushed for 2,321 rushing yards in his career, 10th all-time for the program, including 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. He was expected to be a major focal point of the offense this season in Arkansas' physical running attack.

The Razorbacks do have Alex Collins at running back, who rushed for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, so they still have a solid option in the running game. He'll need to carry an even larger load with Williams out of the picture. 

HOOVER, Ala. — He sees the upward swing, feels the momentum changing and knows that the University of Arkansas football program is on the rise. But Bret Bielema is still quick to put things into perspective.

So when the coach met with his players recently he curtailed some of the buzz and excitement surrounding the Razorbacks by reminding them, again, of the “tremendous challenge” that lies ahead.

“We’re in the SEC West,” he said. “We’re a team looking to improve."

A “no excuses” guy who was doing everything imaginable to try to convince people that he was going to make a big splash in the SEC a couple of years ago, Bielema was more deliberate and methodical Wednesday afternoon than in his previous appearances at media days.

That doesn’t mean that the coach didn’t enjoy himself.

For example, after Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen drew a lot of attention for wearing a new pair of Adidas Yeezy Boost shoes Tuesday, Bielema showed up wearing custom Nike Air Force 1s.

“Just having a little fun,” he said. “We're a Nike school. First thing I said was, 'Hell, let's start a little Nike-Adidas war.'”

He then made a point of saying that his previous school, Wisconsin, had a contract with Adidas, yet being with Nike was helping him in recruiting.

When asked about South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier’s comment that the fans in Arkansas and Tennessee were doing backflips and cartwheels after having a 7-6 season, Bielema responded with: “I respect my elders.”

He also talked about having NFL-friendly schemes, of having an “abundance” of players on offense and “no-name guys” on defense—a unit he’s tabbed the “Bad News Bears.”

Some would consider this stirring the pot, but it’s basically just the way Bielema is. Not many coaches would have put the offensive linemen on the cover of this season’s media guide to reward what might have been the most anonymous group on the team. “Selfishly, it’s the only group I feel good taking a picture with,” he quipped. “They won’t be on it next year, an extremely handsome group.”

Yet, for now at least, Bielema doesn’t have to do much to draw attention to his program because nobody wanted to face the physical Razorbacks at the end of last season.

Granted, Arkansas did see its SEC losing streak reach 17 games with a 17-10 defeat at Mississippi State, only to rebound with a 17-0 victory against LSU, a 30-0 win against No. 8 Ole Miss and finally the 31-7 pounding of Texas in the Texas Bowl.

“It just seemed like we couldn’t finish for some reason,” Razorbacks wide receiver Keon Hatcher said. “We just didn’t know what to do in the fourth quarter. Coach B kept telling us we’re close, we’re close for a breakthrough, we are almost there.”

Despite the successful closing stretch, Bielema is essentially continuing to send the same message, because in his mind the program hasn’t arrived yet. It still finished last in the SEC West and was the only division team to not be ranked in any 2014 Associated Press poll.

Respect was important step, but respect will only get a team so far.

“I’m a big believer that you earn everything in life,” said the coach, who won three straight Big Ten titles (2010-12) at Wisconsin before heading south to Sooie-land.

Obviously, the rebuilding hasn’t been easy, and to his credit, Bielema hasn’t taken any shortcuts. The schedule hasn’t been kind either, and this fall Arkansas will be the only SEC program playing back-to-back league road games not once, but twice.

Specifically, the Razorbacks play at Tennessee and at Alabama on Oct. 3rd and 10th, respectively, and at Ole Miss and at LSU on Nov. 7th and 14th, respectively.

“We still haven’t won on the road,” Bielema said. “The last five SEC West champions are 18-2 on the road. Three of those teams went undefeated and two teams lost one game apiece. So if we lose more than one game on the road, history tells you you're not going to win in the SEC West. That's something I've addressed to their players.”

Consequently, Bielema isn’t about to say that his team has arrived, or provide any sort of indicator of how far along the Razorbacks are in his rebounding plan.

But they’re getting a little closer with each season, each game and each day. 

“It’s kind of one of those things you build the program, and then you let it run itself,” he said.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Walsh is a lead SEC college football writer.

Follow Christopher on Twitter @WritingWalsh.

Bret Bielema might have sparked a new rivalry—in the shoe game, that is.

The Arkansas coach tweeted a photo early Wednesday of his new special "bling bling" edition Air Force 1s, which he'll be rocking at SEC media days.

Sound familiar?

You might remember Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen's new Yeezys, which received quite a bit of attention Tuesday after he tweeted a photo of the shoes sent by Adidas.

Mullen later paired them with a pinstripe suit for the day's media events, of course.

Seems Bielema (read: Nike) wanted a piece of the action, thus he opted for sparkly Air Force 1s:

Thanks MJ and #Nike for these great pair of Air Force 1 special Bling/Bling addition for #SEC media days #WoooPig pic.twitter.com/l9UvV04gpQ

— Bret Bielema (@BretBielema) July 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/SDS/status/621350413363773440

(Don't worry, Coach. No one noticed the "addition" typo.)

[h/t CBS Sports]

What if I told you that a team with two SEC wins in two years, an offense that is one-dimensional and a defense that lost its three best players is a contender in the toughest division in college football?

You'd say that I'm crazy, right?

Well, that's exactly where Arkansas finds itself, after shutting out LSU and Ole Miss last November and throttling Texas in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl to close out the season.

Where did that strong late-season push land Arkansas? In the SEC West's elite, apparently.

Arkansas' over/under win total for the 2015 season is at 8.5, according to CBSSports.com. That may not seem too lofty, but it's tied for second with Auburn and Ole Miss for the second-most in the SEC West, and it's only one game behind Alabama, which has an over/under at 9.5.

Clearly, Vegas seems to think that Arkansas is a contender. But as Todd Fuhrman of Fox Sports 1 notes, that confidence isn't exactly steadfast:

@ClayTravisBGID think it's important to note there were major moves against Arkansas meaning bettors not buying in yet (@SharpFootball )

— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) June 29, 2015

Let's follow along with the pros in Vegas and pump the brakes on the Arkansas hype train.

While Arkansas is going to be improved, it's much more likely to be this year's version of Ole Miss than it is to be a true division-title contender. 

Remember what Ole Miss was last year? A team that was in the mix for a couple of months before injuries took their toll and the lack of championship-level depth reared its ugly head?

That's where Arkansas is most likely headed in 2015.

Offensively, the Hogs will be fine.

The dynamic duo of Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins at running back behind one of the most fearsome offensive lines in the country clearly works. Can Brandon Allen take the next step and become more of a difference-maker than a game manager? He has his doubters, including Bo Bounds of 105.9 in Jackson, Mississippi (via Sports Talk with Bo Mattingly in Arkansas):

Bounds: This is why I don’t think Arkansas can win the West—Brandon Allen isn’t good enough to get you to Atlanta.

— Bo Mattingly (@Bo_Mattingly) June 29, 2015

Still, the presence of new offensive coordinator Dan Enos—who has produced four 3,000-yard passers in the last five seasons as the head coach of Central Michigan—should at least help Allen take the next step and look like a downfield weapon from time to time. 

That might be all the offense needs to really hit its stride.

The real concern, though, is on defense, where head coach Bret Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith have to replace stud defensive end Trey Flowers, monster defensive tackle Darius Philon and last year's leading tackler, linebacker Martrell Spaight.

Bielema and Smith will be counting on players such as tackles Bijhon Jackson and Taiwan Johnson, as well as end JaMichael Winston, to become difference-makers up front.

Not just difference-makers, though. Consistent difference-makers. 

That's not the easiest thing to do, and it is not something that should be expected. 

Besides, it's not like Arkansas' defense was that consistent down the stretch. Sure, the shutouts in November were awesome, but they also gave up 459 yards and 7.40 yards per play at Mississippi State in early November, as well as 423 yards and 5.10 yards per play at Missouri to close out the regular season.

There were consistency issues last year, even when Arkansas' defense was "hot," and now some of its key contributors are gone.

The logical next step for Arkansas is to take a small step forward rather than a gigantic leap. A small step forward would be an eight- or nine-win season, staying competitive in every game and showing a little more consistency on the road.

Anything more would be considered too much, too soon in the SEC West.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

When you think of Arkansas' offense, the words "conservative," "punishing" and "vanilla" probably come to mind.

Explosive, on the other hand, is probably one of the last that pops into your head.

The Razorbacks were the definition of average last year offensively, when they finished eighth in the SEC in total offense (406 yards per game) and yards per play (5.76). 

That's going to change, because this Arkansas offense could become the surprise of the SEC

New Identity with a New Coordinator

When Jim Chaney took what, at best, was a lateral move to become the offensive coordinator at Pitt, it left a lot of people outside of Fayetteville scratching their heads. 

Why would he do that?

What's going on that isn't out there publicly?

All of those fears were put to rest when head coach Bret Bielema made one of the most underrated and surprising coaching hires of the silly season, luring former Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos to Fayetteville to take the offensive coordinator role with the Hogs.

"I like the chemistry and environment of our room," Bielema said at SEC spring meetings in Destin last month. "I hired an offensive coordinator who I think is lights-out."

He's right. 

While coaches who employ pro-style offenses typically don't light up stat sheets when compared to other systems, Enos' program established itself as one of the most prolific big-play passing offenses in the MAC.

The Chippewas finished second in the MAC and 18th in the nation with 8.3 yards per attempt and third in touchdown passes with 27. Enos produced a 3,000-yard passer in four of his five seasons as their head coach, which is something that Bielema has produced just once as a head coach at Wisconsin and Arkansas from 2006 to 2014.

As George Schroeder of USA Today told Bo Mattingly of Sports Talk with Bo in Arkansas, the hire of Enos isn't getting enough publicity.

Schroeder: Dan Enos as the new offensive coordinator is something we haven’t paid enough attention to. They’ll throw the ball better.

— Bo Mattingly (@Bo_Mattingly) June 2, 2015

Is Arkansas going to all of a sudden become an Air Raid team? No.

With four returning offensive linemen and running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins back, the identity of the Hogs will still be that smashmouth style that has become synonymous with Bielema's teams.

"What I've really challenged our players about is let's be great at both. Let's be a great running team, let's be a great passing team," Enos told Sam Khan Jr., of ESPN.com.

Enos will swing the pendulum ever so slightly in that direction, which could make all the difference in the world.

Quarterback with a Foundation

How good was Arkansas' quarterback Brandon Allen last year?

He finished the season with 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions. That's remarkable considering Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs and Justin Worley, Texas A&M's Kyle Allen and Kenny Hill, Vanderbilt's Johnny McCrary and former Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel—all of whom were part-time starters—finished the year with more interceptions than Allen.

Clearly, Allen can manage a game well.

He's comfortable with the offense, familiar with the weapons and, for the most part, doesn't take chances if there's even a slight risk.

Allen has to adjust to Enos' style, but it's clear that Enos is more interested in adding another layer to the Hog offense rather than reinventing the wheel. 

That's enormous for Allen, who's set up for a phenomenal senior season.

"There's three things I can't wait to see come out of his senior year," Bielema told Bleacher Report earlier in the offseason. "He's incredibly tough, he's a very smart football player, and the biggest person who wants to have success in our football program is Brandon Allen."

Is he the most physically talented quarterback in the conference? 

Probably not.

Jeremy Johnson is more of an NFL prospect, Joshua Dobbs and Dak Prescott have stellar dual-threat capabilities and Kyle Allen has more arm strength. But Allen has a solid foundation to build on and doesn't have to deal with overwhelming roster turnover, which will allow him to take that next step that Enos is looking for.

Year	Comp./Att.	Comp. %	Yds	TDs	INTs
2012	21-for-49	42.9	186	1	3
2013	128-for-258	49.6	1,552	13	10
2014	190-for-339	56.0	2,285	20	5
Career	339-for-646	52.5	4,023	34	18

Continuity

The Arkansas offensive line rivaled the size of most NFL offensive lines a year ago, and four of those players return to plow the road for Williams and Collins—one of the most fearsome running back tandems in the country.

The Hogs are going to play ground-and-pound football as well as anybody in the country, and those holes will only become bigger if Allen and Enos stretch the field in the way they anticipate. 

It's not just the running game that will thrive with continuity, though.

Keon Hatcher, who led the Hogs last year with 43 catches, 558 yards and six touchdowns, is back to help take the passing game to the next level. The 6'2", 210-pounder from Owasso, Oklahoma, has the size to create matchup problems downfield against undersized defensive backs.

Speaking of matchup nightmares, that's exactly what tight end Hunter Henry is.

At 6'5", 250 pounds, with surprising speed, Henry has established himself as one of the most dangerous tight ends in the SEC over the last couple of seasons. He caught 37 passes for 513 yards last year, when he took home second-team All-SEC honors from the conference's coaches.

The transition period for Arkansas should be minimal thanks to the veterans that litter the roster on that side of the ball.

Because of that, the Hogs should be able to hit the ground running—and throwing—in 2015 and produce one of the most surprising offenses in the SEC.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

The last cycle of spring games in the SEC is perhaps the most interesting, with Arkansas and Tennessee—two programs on the rise—hitting the field on Saturday.

For Bret Bielema's Razorbacks, it's a chance to prove to the college football world that the Hogs are no fluke, and the final month-plus of the season in which they shut out LSU and Ole Miss—and held Texas to a shanked pitching wedge worth of offense in the bowl game—has become the norm.

That's easier said than done, though.

What must Arkansas show during the Red and White Game to prove it's a contender?

Pressure Up Front

Arkansas is best known for its tremendous running game led by Jonathan Williams, Alex Collins and one of the toughest offensive lines in the country. While that helped, it was not the catalyst for last season's stretch run.

The defense, however, was.

Bielema and defensive coordinator Robb Smith knew they had to deal with the graduation of defensive end Trey Flowers and linebacker Martrell Spaight, but defensive tackle Darius Philon's decision to jump early came as a bit of a shock.

Who's going to replace them, and can Smith find the same production?

JaMichael Winston started last season opposite Flowers, and players like Tevin Beanum and Deatrich Wise Jr. all have emerged this spring as potential forces off the edge. In the middle, Taiwan Johnson started opposite Philon, Bijhon Jackson has the ability to be a monster and DeMarcus Hodge is a veteran who knows what to expect playing a part in the rotation.

"Going into fall camp, there's going to be great competition at every spot," defensive line coach Rory Segrest said, according to Tom Murphy of ArkansasOnline.com. "We've got guys nipping at each other's heels."

Competition during practice is great, but it has to translate to success on the field. The defensive front for Arkansas goes up against one of the best offensive lines in the country on a daily basis, and if it can get consistent pressure on Saturday, it'd be a huge statement.

Typically, defenses are ahead of offenses. But since Arkansas returns nearly everybody on the offensive side of the ball, it should be the exception, not the rule. If quarterback Brandon Allen is running for his life and Williams and Collins are searching for holes, that would be good news for Bielema, Smith and the Hogs' outlook in 2015.

The Threat of a Downfield Attack

Allen isn't going to be Peyton Manning, nor is he going to be Jameis Winston on the field. All he has to do is pose the threat and look like them from time to time.

Arkansas isn't going to evolve into Baylor and sling it all over the field under new offensive coordinator Dan Enos, but the former Central Michigan head coach has produced 3,000-yard passers in four of the last five seasons. During Bielema's head coaching career, he's had just one quarterback break that mark (Russell Wilson in 2011 at Wisconsin).

If Enos can swing the pendulum ever so slightly and at least have Allen—who's a proven game-manager (20 touchdowns, five interceptions in 2014)—pose a slight threat of being a difference-maker who can stay healthy, the Arkansas offense is going to be tough to beat. 

"I think he's going to be bigger, faster and stronger," Bielema told Bleacher Report in January. "I know that may not seem to carry a lot of weight with quarterbacks, but it does. He'll be more physical and allow him to take those hits through a 12-game season."

So far, so good, according to Bielema (via Josh Bertaccini of 92.1 in Fayetteville):

Bielema: "Our quarterback play has improved by leaps & bounds. BA gets better every day. I think he's poised for a high level senior year."

— Josh Bertaccini (@TheRealNWAJB) April 24, 2015

With leading receiver Keon Hatcher back and tight end Hunter Henry's presence as a true mismatch at Allen's disposal, the opportunity is there for Arkansas to open things up just a little bit. After all, a slight tinker from Enos will go a long way toward keeping the defense honest and taking pressure off of the running game.

Secondary a Strength?

Arkansas finished fifth in the SEC in pass defense last year (208.8 yards per game), and the pressure generated up front was a big help.

What will that pass defense do for an encore, especially if that pressure isn't replicated consistently up front?

There are plenty of talented players for Smith to rely on, including veteran safety Rohan Gaines and talented youngsters Josh Liddell, De'Andre Coley and versatile freshman Santos Ramirez—who can play pretty much anywhere. At corner, Jared Collins and Henre' Toliver return to lock down each side of the field.

How will they look?

Getting pressure is key, but replicating the success of last season will be more difficult for the secondary if that pressure isn't consistent. 

Can they apply pressure if a quarterback has time? Can they force more than 12 interceptions? 

A little success can go a long way for an Arkansas defense that, if opportunistic, can dramatically change the way games are played. One or two key turnovers can turn into long, sustained drives for the offense and put the Hogs in a much better position to make a run at winning big games in 2015.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

I'll get this out of the way right out of the gate: I like Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema.

A lot.

He's always willing to chat when asked, will always drop in a casual one-liner or two and doesn't operate in the boring land of coachspeak like so many of his college football colleagues.

I find him a genuinely nice person who is entertaining, engaging, interesting and refreshingly honest.

Sometimes, though, that last quality gets muddled in a quest to slow the game of college football under the disguise of player safety.

Bielema saddled back up on his high horse and railed against hurry-up offenses on Wednesday in the wake of the abrupt retirement of former San Francisco 49er and Wisconsin Badger (under Bielema) linebacker Chris Borland.

"We have to protect student-athletes to extremes we never thought of before," Bielema told Sporting News' Matt Hayes. "I just read a study that said players in the no-huddle, hurry-up offense play the equivalent of five more games than those that don’t. That’s an incredible number. Our awareness as a whole has to increase."

And, with that, the 10-second rule—which I predicted would pop back up this offseason—is right back in the center of the national discussion.

If Bielema is so concerned with the number of games, plays and how they relate to player safety, then why did he say this inside the radio/Internet room at SEC media days in Hoover, Alabama in 2014?

Bielema on the four-team playoff: "It's a great starting point. Rome wasn't built in a day."

— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) July 16, 2014

If the four-team playoff is a "good starting point," then those two extra games—and potentially more extra games in an expanded playoff structure—are safety hazards, right?

Bielema can't have his cake and eat it too.

In the midst of the first "10-second-rule" hubbub, Dave Bartoo of CFBMatrix.com posted a fascinating study last year that suggests player weight in tight spaces creates a far greater injury risk than the number of plays run.

In that study, Bartoo found that the 20 fastest teams in college football in 2012 averaged 83.12 plays per game and lost 143 starts due to injury. The 20 slowest teams ran 65.85 plays per game and lost 151 starts due to injury.

Guess which team became synonymous with one of the biggest offensive lines in the country last season?

Arkansas, at 320.8 pounds per player. That, incidentally, would have been the third-largest in the NFL as of early September 2014, according to LubbockOnline.com.

I believe that Bielema truly cares about player safety, feels for Borland and wants to make the game safer not just for the good of this generation, but for generations to come. For that, he should be applauded.

Until he comes up with more proof other than "more plays equals more injury risk," he's not really arguing against hurry-up, no-huddle offenses, advocating player safety or championing the "10-second rule," which would prevent offenses from snapping the ball within 10 seconds of the previous play ending.

All he's doing is arguing against the sport of football—a sport in which he makes his living.

A thought on Bielema: I have no doubt his heart is in the right place, but it's tough to sell a "solution" that requires no self-sacrifice.

— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoATH) March 18, 2015

Whether you call this a contact sport, a collision sport or give the game of football any other moniker out there, players put themselves in danger every time they buckle up the chin strap. That doesn't mean that it shouldn't be tweaked to make players safer.

It should, and everybody—including coaches who employ hurry-up, no-huddle offenses—agree.

"Is there documented medical evidence that supports this rule change that tempo offenses are putting players at a higher degree of risk than others? If there is, then show it to us," Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze told ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach last year. "Where is it? They're going to have to show us some evidence."

Simply saying "more football is a danger" when there's no other specific evidence to prove it won't cut it, especially when there is a statistical analysis that states that player size in space matters more than the quantity of plays.

Bielema likely believes that fast-paced offenses put players at a greater injury risk, and that's why this crusade continues.

It's only making him look foolish, though, because what he's really doing is biting the hand that feeds him—the sport of football.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

One hot month, and suddenly Arkansas isn't the punchline to a depressing SEC West joke anymore.

After shutting out LSU and Ole Miss in November and holding Texas to a shanked pitching wedge worth of total offense (59 yards) in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl, the Razorbacks are being mentioned in the discussion to win the SEC West.

Is that real, or is it just a product of a hot month to close the season?

The answer to that question starts getting answered on Monday, when third-year head coach Bret Bielema raises the curtain on Arkansas' spring practice.

What to Watch on Offense

When former offensive coordinator Jim Chaney moved on to take the same job at Pitt, it left Bielema in a bind to find a pro-style college coach, which are rapidly become the coaching equivalent of unicorns. The answer for Bielema was in the head coaching ranks, where former Central Michigan head coach Dan Enos left the program to take over as an assistant in the SEC.

How much will change? Not much, considering four offensive linemen and running backs Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins—both of whom were 1,000-yard rushers a year ago—are back with the Hogs.

"We've always felt really strongly about having two major guys and one role player, and I think J-Will will take the lead on the role that he'll play his year," Bielema told Bleacher Report.

The biggest question is whether or not quarterback Brandon Allen can evolve into a difference-maker rather than simply a game manager. He managed games well last year, throwing 20 touchdowns and only five picks while playing through injuries late in the year, and returns leading wide receiver Keon Hatcher and weapon Hunter Henry at tight end.

Year	Comp./Att.	Comp. %	Yds.	TDs	INTs
2010	Ryan Radcliff	60.5	3,358	17	17
2011	Ryan Radcliff	56.7	3,286	25	16
2012	Ryan Radcliff	59.5	3,158	23	9
2013	Cooper Rush	56.7	2,349	15	15
2014	Cooper Rush	63.6	3,157	27	13

What's more, Enos produced 3,000-yard passers in four of his last five seasons as Central Michigan's head coach. Bielema has had exactly one of those—Russell Wilson at Wisconsin in 2011 (3,175 yards)—during his entire head coaching career.

He's not going to come to Fayetteville and sling it all over the field, but he could swing the pendulum slightly toward a more open offense, which would open those holes for Williams and Collins even more on the ground.

If Allen becomes a weapon this spring, it will signal that the Hogs will truly be dangerous this fall.

What to Watch on Defense

The catalyst to Arkansas' late-season success last year was a defense that finished second in the SEC in rush defense (114.62 YPG) and one of the most physical front sevens in the SEC. 

The problem, though, is that linebacker Martrell Spaight, defensive end Trey Flowers and defensive tackle Darius Philon—three of the most important pieces of last season's puzzle—are all gone. 

Talented big men return up front, including defensive ends JaMichael Winston and Deatrich Wise, as well as defensive tackles Bijhon Jackson and Taiwan Johnson. But can they impact the pocket in the same way as last year's crew?

As Josh Bertaccini of KSQM 92.1 The Ticket in Fayetteville notes, it's all about the youth on defense:

Bijhon Jackson, Khalia Hackett and Josh Liddell listed as starters on defense. Young talent rising up. #hogs

— Josh Bertaccini (@TheRealNWAJB) March 12, 2015

If Arkansas can finish the season with less than five yards per play, watch out for the Hogs. A new offense with veteran pieces when combined with a stifling defense is a dangerous combination.

Freshman to Keep an Eye on

With the defensive line being the most important piece of the puzzle, the focus will be on true freshman early enrollee Hjalte Froholdt.

The 6'4", 282-pounder from Warren, Ohio, hails from Denmark and only was introduced five years ago according to Bleacher Report's Sanjay Kirpalani, playing both defensive line and tight end.

"We put on some way oversized equipment because their club didn't have anything else," Froholdt told Kirpalani. "We got taught the fundamentals because we had some great coaches. We pretty much were taught everything because it wasn't like you just play offensive line or defensive line. Over there, you play everything because you had to play where you were needed."

That athleticism will be a huge benefit for Froholdt, who could earn early playing time as a rotational defensive end and perhaps a role player in specific packages that feature multiple tackles lining up at end. 

Coach Bielema's Toughest Task

Staying in the proper gear.

Arkansas' close to the 2014 season dramatically shifted the trajectory of the program, despite the fact that Bielema still only has two SEC wins over his first two seasons and boasts a sub-.500 record overall as the head coach of the Hogs.

Just how quickly have things changed? Sporting News has Arkansas ranked fourth in the country in its way-too-early top 25.

Not the SEC West or the SEC. The country.

Hello, expectations.

Bielema's biggest issue is making sure that his players don't buy into the hype, stay on the same path that Bielema and his staff has had them on over the last two seasons and continue the rebuilding process of a program that was in turmoil just two seasons ago.

Before Arkansas hits overdrive and speeds toward the College Football Playoff, it needs to prove that it can contend with the SEC's big boys on a consistent basis. 

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

With running backs like Georgia's Nick Chubb, LSU's Leonard Fournette, Tennessee's Jalen Hurd, Arkansas' Alex Collins and Alabama's Derrick Henry in the conference, it's safe to say that the SEC will be a running back-driven conference in 2015.

Which one is the best?

Chubb has the stats, Fournette has the hype and Henry has the size. The right answer, though, might not even be the most notable name in his own backfield.

Arkansas senior Jonathan Williams.

The 6'0", 224-pounder from Allen, Texas, led the Razorbacks with 1,190 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, splitting time with Collins, who finished the year with 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Year	Car.	Yds.	YPC	TDs
2012	45	231	5.13	0
2013	150	900	6.00	4
2014	211	1,190	5.64	12
Career	406	2,321	5.72	16

Pretty impressive considering Williams has been splitting carries with Collins over the last two seasons. That's part of the plan, though.

"We're very excited about the combination of Jonathan and Alex together," head coach Bret Bielema told Bleacher Report. "Obviously, they've been able to put up impressive numbers, and the reason for that is because they share the workload."

Williams has proven over the last two seasons that he has the size to take the punishment between the tackles, the jets to be a home run hitter in space and the hands to be a threat as a receiver out of the backfield.

A true complete back, Williams passed up a chance to jump to the NFL to come back to be part of what's becoming one of the most prolific running back systems in college football.

"I don't think a back that's been in our system since I've been a head coach can survive as a one-back guy. We've had guys gain almost 3,000 yards between the three of them, and there's no way one guy can do that. We've always felt really strongly about having two major guys and one role player, and I think J-Will will take the lead on the role that he'll play his year."

Take the lead, he will. 

Arkansas released its spring depth chart on Wednesday morning, and Williams found himself atop the running back depth chart without an "or" attaching him and Collins.

Arkansas spring depth chart released: pic.twitter.com/bBZh7CmHWm

— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) March 11, 2015

That's quite a compliment for Williams, who simply goes about his business in the Hog backfield.

"I think we all take Williams for granted because he lacks a little of that 'flash' factor," said Nicholas Mason, program manager and host on ESPN Radio 99.5 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. "We have to forget about a guy not making sexy plays and just look at his production. The kid just gets it done."

He gets it done in an offense that doesn't get too creative with the running game. Of the 916 plays Arkansas ran last year, 557 were running plays (60.8 percent).

Quarterback Brandon Allen was solid as a game manger last season, but Arkansas' ability to remain consistent in the running game without much of a deep threat in a passing game is a massive compliment to the running backs and the offensive line.

Sure, Chubb is a monster, Fournette has the potential to be a superstar and Henry is a physical freak who jumps off the screen.

But Williams is a proven superstar and rarely gets mentioned in the conversation.

That makes him, by far, the most underrated running back in the SEC. He also might be the best.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.