There have been a few phone calls and a few more e-mails since Sunday questioning the decision to rank Arkansas No. 9 in my column.

Wednesday afternoon, while walking through the newsroom, longtime colleague Alyson Hoge said “No. 9 ?” as I walked by her desk.

Perhaps she thinks I’m an idiot.

Well, truth is, the other day I thought the same thing when I exited the freeway — in Springdale of all places — and was in the lane to turn right to my hotel. But when the light changed, I was deep in thought and I went straight.

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First thing that popped in my mind: What an idiot.

Actually, when you write an opinion column about the state’s favorite team, you get called worse than an idiot from time to time.

Anyway, here was the thinking that went into that pick at No. 9.

First, there is the matter of Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden, Felix Jones, Marcus Monk and Peyton Hillis.

McFadden started last season with that toe injury, and this year he is healthy from the get-go.

Jones rushed for more than 1, 000 yards, too, and Hillis, who missed the last three games last season, is ready to make a difference.

Monk is injured, but he could be back by the Alabama game.

Plus, it is a money year for all four players.

Money is a great motivator.

Second, Coach Houston Nutt said all the off-season drama made the team closer, like a family.

After escaping Vanderbilt and Alabama last season, the Hogs became a team of destiny (10 victories ) because they were focused.

If they are closer and more focused this year, they should be better.

Third, fans were told the passing game would be better with the addition of David Lee, who was hired away from the Dallas Cowboys.

Fourth, Casey Dick was slow to start last season because of a hairline fracture in his back. Obviously, quite obviously, the coaches have great confidence in him.

Fifth, Arkansas started last season unranked and stayed that way until it beat Auburn 27-10 on CBS.

The Hogs jumped in at 17 th and climbed to No. 5 with three games remaining.

They lost all three and finished at No. 15.

In the final game, against Wisconsin, they held the Badgers to minus-10 yards rushing in the second half and lost 17-14.

Wisconsin opens this season ranked No. 7 by The Associated Press, and the Razorbacks are ranked No. 21.

If the Hogs take care of business, and there’s no reason not to think they will, they should move up as the season progresses.

Which brings me to the final point of why they should finish No. 9 in the country: the schedule.

Arkansas opens with the Boys of Troy, a Sun Belt Conference member, and then faces Alabama, which is now under the reign of Nick Saban.

The Hogs have an open date after Troy and will have two weeks to prepare for the Crimson Tide. Usually, an open date that early does not seem good, but this year it is perfect.

After that, the Hogs get four consecutive home games and then go to Oxford to face Ole Miss.

They come home for games with Florida International and South Carolina, and by then they very well could be a top-four or top-five team in the polls.

It should go without saying, that is predicated on no injuries.

The Razorbacks’ last three games are at Tennessee, Mississippi State in the Rock and at LSU.

There you have the six reasons why it was predicted that after the regular season the Hogs would be No. 9.

And, to go one step further, the bowl prediction is Arkansas will play Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.

Or, perhaps I’m wrong, maybe even an idiot, but that doesn’t mean a posse should harass me.