The Southeastern Conference is home to many tough football programs.
In 2021, 13 teams were invited to bowl games. Out of those 13, two squads competed in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, while one more played in a New Year’s Six bowl.
So when it comes to finding a true “sleeper” the task seems daunting because of the sheer talent that each program brings to the table. However, if there were to be a sleeper for the 2022 season, CBS Sports would have to choose the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports has chosen his dark horses from each Power Five conference for the 2022 season, with Arkansas being his choice from the SEC, saying that the Razorbacks are capable of “ruining some Saturdays in the fall.”
The Razorbacks built on a strong debut with a 9-4 campaign and victory over Penn State in the Outback Bowl. Arkansas won five of its last six games down the stretch, and only lost to then-No. 2 Alabama by seven points. A few key parts are off to the NFL, but quarterback KJ Jefferson should only keep growing behind an offensive line that should always be excellent. The Razorbacks get Cincinnati, South Carolina and Texas A&M in the first four weeks of the season leading into Alabama. We’ll know what to expect quickly.
Despite not playing a team from a Power Five conference this fall, the Razorbacks will still play a solid non-conference slate. The Razorbacks open the 2022 season at home against College Football Playoff participant Cincinnati on September 3. Arkansas will also travel to BYU on October 15, and will host Liberty on November 5. Both of those won 8+ games and competed in bowl games in 2021.
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