It’s been 20 years since the Arkansas Razorbacks set off the modern college football realignment movement, joining the SEC after a long stay in the Southwest Conference.
During that interim, the Razorbacks have captured four SEC West titles, doing so in 1995, 1998, 2002 and 2006.
But Arkansas has not gotten over the hump and won an SEC Championship. This fall, however, may provide just that chance.
It’s a big if, but one could realistically see a fall where KJ Jefferson and company surge forward after their 9-4 finish a year ago, taking Arkansas football where it’s never gone before.
Razorback fans will also be able to do something they’ve never done before, as this is the first fall mobile Arkansas sports betting has been legal in the state.
Jefferson, a junior quarterback, is a Heisman dark horse candidate after wracking up 2,676 passing yards and 21 touchdowns to go with 664 yards and six scores on the ground in 2021.
If Jefferson can overcome the loss of 1,000-yard receiver Treylon Burks to the NFL, then the Razorbacks could be destined for greatness this fall.
Arkansas kicks off its season against College Football Playoff participant Cincinnati at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 3 on ESPN.
Here’s a look at where oddsmakers see the Razorbacks finishing in 2022:
SEC Championship Odds
Arkansas Among SEC Dark Horse Candidates
Oddsmakers at BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook believe in Sam Pittman’s ability to get the Razorbacks back into the SEC title conversation.
BetMGM is a bit higher on the Razorbacks’ potential this fall, with a win total over/under of 7.5 (over +125, under -150) and +5000 odds to win the SEC (tied for fourth overall).
On the operators’ SEC odds board, the Razorbacks only come in behind Alabama (-140), Georgia (+150) and Texas A&M (+1600).
Caesars Sportsbook pegs the Razorbacks at +12500 to win the program’s first national title in 58 years.
The Vegas mainstay has Arkansas at +5000 to win the SEC in 2022, behind the Crimson Tide (-140), Bulldogs (+140), Aggies (+1600), Kentucky, Tennessee and Ole Miss (+4000 apiece).
Arkansas has two local mobile sportsbooks available for fans. Pine Bluff’s Saracen Casino Resort launched its BetSaracen app in May.
The first mobile sports betting platform to go live in the state was the Betly Sportsbook from West Memphis’ Southland Casino. It launched its website in March and its Apple app in late April.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resorts is hoping to launch by the start of football season.
