Razorbacks should see much improvement in '09.

In Bobby Petrino's first year as the Hogs head coach, many folks were excited. Maybe that's an understatement.

Record numbers for the 2008 spring game showed fans were yearning for an exciting brand of football, something the teams at Arkansas quite frankly lacked for a while. That's not to say Arkansas didn't have exciting players--that would be far from the truth--but seeing a guy like Peyton Hillis run four straight plays on the goal line in 2005, and not gain a yard wasn't jump-out-of-your-seat excitement. Fans jumped out of their seats all right, but they were enraged, not excited.

Petrino showed things were changing in Fayetteville, even if the Razorbacks finished 5-7 in 2008.

Arkansas was a total of about two minutes from finishing 7-5. Breakdowns against Kentucky and Ole Miss salted away the Razorbacks' chances at going to a bowl in Petrino's first season.

Looking ahead to the 2009 football schedule, things could look much better. At least that's this talk-show host's opinion.

Let's break the schedule down. We'll take a look at the nonconference games and those in the Southeastern Conference.

Nonconference Games

Arkansas should have its way against the powerhouse slate of Missouri State to open the season, Eastern Michigan for Homecoming, and Troy in Week 10. Granted, Texas A&M should be much improved in Mike Sherman's second year as the Aggies' head coach, but I expect a big game from the Razorbacks in "Big D", and the Razorbacks should handle their former SWC foe with ease at Cowboys Stadium.

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Victories in those four games would leave Arkansas just two wins away from bowl eligibility.

Now down to business.

SEC Games

Arkansas should be up and down in the SEC again this season.

The Razorbacks will roll on Georgia in Fayetteville, and should pick up additional wins of ease vs. Auburn, South Carolina and Mississippi State. Those should be a given and, with the other wins I'm calling for, should put the Razorbacks at no worse than 8-4.

There are four more games on the schedule, and they will be no cakewalk.

Alabama's defense is getting a lot of talk. And the talk is that if they can find a way to score 10-14 points the Crimson Tide will win some games.

Playing defending national champion Florida in "The Swamp" is going to be downright tough. It's hard not to put an "12' on that one.

Ole Miss is going to be loaded, but former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt always wins with under-the-radar teams and struggles with those expecting success, but the Rebels will probably be too tough to beat at home.

Plus, I think the Razorbacks' number might be up against LSU in week 12. Arkansas has won against the Tigers in consecutive thrillers, but won't be so lucky this year.

Tally all that up and it comes out with 8-4. I certainly wouldn't complain if the Razorbacks won a few more.

See you in the bleachers. !.9

Gary Campbell is operations manager of THE HOG SPORTSRADIO in Northwest Arkansas. He is host of "The Sports Guys" weekdays from Noon until 3 p.m. E-mail him: [e-mail].