Arkansas Football Spring Game 2017: 5 things to watch for

By John Buhler | Apr 24, 2017

Dec 29, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema questions the ref on a call during the fourth quarter of the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Hokies win the Belk Bowl 35-24 over the Razorbacks. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 24, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads on the sidelines during a game against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium. Baylor won 45-27. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Paul Rhoads and the new 3-4 defense

It wasn’t the offense that undermined Arkansas’ hot start to the 2016 NCAA campaign. Perpetual defensive ineptitude caused Arkansas to go an unsatisfying 7-6 (3-5) last fall. That soul-crushing loss to Auburn cannot happen again if Bret Bielema wants to feel good about getting a sixth year in Fayetteville.

Fortunately for the Razorbacks, they will have a former Big 12 head coach running their defense in former Iowa State Cyclones head coach Paul Rhoads. When Iowa State was not cratering in the Big 12, Rhoads’ Cyclones usually held their own defensively despite sub-par play on offense. Rhoads will bring his 3-4 defense to Northwest Arkansas in 2017.

This should be to Arkansas’ advantage, as the linebackers seem to be the best part of its otherwise uninspiring defense. Rhoads will occasionally bring in an inside linebacker/strong safety hybrid into the box to create confusing eight-man fronts for the Hogs. However, they can get a pass rush, just get a pass rush.

With Arkansas being a sound offensive team under Bielema, look for Rhoads to revamp this struggling Razorbacks defense. By doing so, he might be able to land another Power 5. Getting the Razorbacks back to good on defense should be an easier task for him that winning consistently in Ames against many of the Big 12 blue-bloods at Iowa State.

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