Will Arkansas improve on last season's success? Our game-by-game predictions

Arkansas football's 2022 season kicks off Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) against No. 22 Cincinnati. It's the first game in a daunting schedule for the No. 23 Razorbacks, including a slate of difficult nonconference opponents and four preseason top 25 teams.

Coach Sam Pittman is looking to improve on last season's 9-4 record, and with veterans along the offensive line, in the secondary and at quarterback, the Razorbacks have a chance to do just that. Arkansas was selected to finish third in the SEC West at the league's media days over the summer.

Here are our game-by-game predictions for Arkansas in 2022.

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Sept. 3: No. 22 Cincinnati

Last season: Did not play. Cincinnati went 13-1 with a loss to Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal.The buzz: Cincinnati is coming off a historic season but lost valuable personnel, including star QB Desmond Ridder. The Bearcats retained a strong offensive line but have a defense full of new starters. The pick: Arkansas wins, 35-21.

Sept. 10: South Carolina

Last season: Did not play. South Carolina went 7-6.The buzz: Two words: Spencer Rattler. The Gamecocks got the big-name quarterback out of the transfer portal, but after losing his starting job at Oklahoma last season thanks to a high volume of turnovers, Rattler could break bad or very, very good. Arkansas' defense will get to test its pass rush against what was a weak offensive line last season, and the secondary could wreak havoc on Rattler if his old habits haven't been eradicated.The pick: Arkansas wins, 31-20.

Sept. 17: Missouri State

Last season: Did not play. Missouri State went 8-2.The buzz: This game is circled on the calendar thanks to the return of former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino. The Bears are among the better teams in FCS and are looking to make a third straight FCS playoff appearance in 2022. Their offense features the reigning Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Jason Shelley and Kansas State transfer running back Jacardia Wright.The pick: Arkansas wins, 41-24.

Sept. 24: No. 7 Texas A&M

Last season: Arkansas won, 20-10. Texas A&M went 8-4.The buzz: Thanks to a star-studded recruiting class, Texas A&M comes with plenty of hype in 2022. There's tons of talent up and down the roster, yet the Aggies lack a proven quarterback. Running back Devon Achane is one of Texas A&M's main offensive weapons, as well as receiver Ainias Smith. New defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has to replace a number of talented starters, making the Aggie defense a question mark before the season.The pick: Texas A&M wins, 24-21

Oct. 1: No. 1 Alabama

Last season: Alabama won, 42-35. The Crimson Tide went 13-2, falling to Georgia in the national championship.The buzz: After what some considered a down year by Alabama standards, Nick Saban is ready to reload and get back to dominance. Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young is back, and transfer running back Jahmyr Gibbs is one to watch. Add in one of the nation's best players at any position in linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and his compatriot Dallas Turner, and the Tide has a stellar defense to get the ball back in Young's capable hands.The pick: Alabama wins, 42-28.

Oct. 8: at Mississippi State

Last season: Arkansas won, 31-28. Mississippi State went 7-6.The buzz: Mississippi State is full of veteran players, including quarterback Will Rogers, who thrived in Mike Leach's air raid offense last season. Returning talent at slot receiver, linebacker and every position on the defensive line makes the Bulldogs dangerous. The secondary is a bit of an unknown, and Arkansas' receivers could exploit that weakness.The pick: Arkansas wins, 34-28

Oct. 15 at BYU

Last season: Did not play. BYU went 10-3.The buzz: BYU is a perennial threat outside of the Power Five, and the Cougars are returning 18 of 22 starters from last season. Run defense is a concern for BYU in 2022, and the Razorbacks' deep running back room and quarterback KJ Jefferson could take advantage. The pick: Arkansas wins, 31-28

Oct. 29 at Auburn

Last season: Auburn won, 38-23. The Tigers went 6-7.The buzz: Auburn is full of uncertainty ahead of the 2022 season. Coach Bryan Harsin, the subject of much offseason discussion, named TJ Finley his starting quarterback, but Finley started in just three games (all losses) last season. The Tigers do have one of the league's best running backs in Tank Bigsby, and the Auburn secondary is expected to be a strength. Plus, Jordan-Hare Stadium is a famously tough place to play.The pick: Auburn wins, 28-24.

Nov. 5 vs. Liberty

Last season: Did not play. Liberty went 8-5.The buzz: Liberty, without quarterback Malik Willis, is a very different team than it was a year ago. But Flames coach Hugh Freeze did a lot of work in the transfer portal this offseason, bolstering his offensive line, receiver corps and giving him a new QB1 in former Baylor player Charlie Brewer. By the time Liberty comes to Fayetteville, all those new pieces will be plenty used to playing together.The pick: Arkansas wins, 42-24.

Nov. 12 vs. LSU

Last season: Arkansas won in overtime, 16-13. LSU went 6-7.The buzz: Expectations are high for LSU under new coach Brian Kelly, but Year 1 doesn't seem like it'll be the year the Tigers come roaring back. The quarterback position is a question mark, although receiver Kayshon Boutte can cover a multitude of sins. The defense is made up of a number of transfers, including former Razorbacks Greg Brooks Jr. and Joe Foucha. The 2022 season will be a solid one for LSU, but it will be about building a foundation rather than toppling giants.The pick: Arkansas wins, 21-17.

Nov. 18 vs. No. 24 Ole Miss

Last season: Arkansas lost, 52-51. Ole Miss went 10-3.The buzz: Ole Miss lost a lot of talent after its strong 2021 season, but coach Lane Kiffin hit the transfer portal hard and reloaded with pieces just as talented. Returning wideout Jonathan Mingo is one to watch, as are running backs Zach Evans and Ulysses Bentley IV. Like last season, this game should be a shootout in Fayetteville.The pick: Ole Miss wins, 48-41

Nov. 25 at Missouri

Last season: Arkansas won, 34-17. Missouri went 6-7.The buzz: Missouri is largely predicted to finish next-to-last in the SEC East. A lot is riding on promising but unproven quarterback Brady Cook, who has a veteran offensive line protecting him and some talented receivers beside him. Missouri lost the league's leading running back, Tyler Badie. On defense, the Tigers are on their third defensive coordinator in as many years, which doesn't bode well for a team that seems to be in a perpetual rebuild.The pick: Arkansas wins, 35-21.

Christina Long covers the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Southwest Times Record and USA Today Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@swtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas football game-by-game predictions 2022: Here are our picks