Arkansas Razorbacks, 7-6 (3-5)
What will change under new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads?
Similarly, Arkansas has a new defensive coordinator in 2017. But, unlike Grantham at Mississippi State, new Razorbacks DC Paul Rhoads isn’t a new face in Fayetteville. The former Iowa State head coach spent last season on Bret Bielema’s staff as defensive backs coach and was promoted to replace Robb Smith, who left for Minnesota.
Rhoads will have a tough task replacing some of the most talented members of the 2016 defense, including leading tackler Brooks Ellis, top pass rushers Deatrich Wise, Jr. and Jeremiah Ledbetter, and defensive back Jared Collins, who broke up 12 passes last season.
He must also turn around a unit that allowed an SEC-worst 6.75 yards per play – more than half a yard more than No. 13 Mississippi State – a mark that ranked No. 123 in the nation. The Hogs ranked 125th in Rushing IsoPPP, meaning Arkansas was among the worst teams in the country in limiting explosive runs. The Razorbacks surrendered 5.91 per rush last season — again a half yard worse than the SEC’s next closest defense, and worse than all but two FBS teams.
Schematically, Rhoads will move the Hogs from Smith’s preferred 4-3 to a 3-4. Given the losses Arkansas has suffered up front, as well as the struggles the team had against the run last season, there is some concern making the switch. Plus, it’s always tough to install a new defense, and the Razorbacks are also going to use Rhoads’ terminology instead of what the team learned from Smith over the years.