It is probably a modern-day Arkansas Razorbacks and SEC record.

Bobby Petrino is expected to play as many as 26 true or redshirt freshmen Saturday in the season opener against Western Illinois.

That’s offense, defense and specialty teams, and that’s a bunch of guys who have only recently learned how to do their own laundry.

What it means is Petrino is laying the foundation for the future. He’s not giving up on this season, but he obviously has a long-term plan.

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Still, the natural question is: Were the last two recruiting classes that good or was the cupboard almost bare ?

Probably a little of both.

Only nine starters were returning from an 8-5 team, and none of them was Darren Mc-Fadden, Felix Jones or Peyton Hillis.

Most of the experience that returned is in the offensive and defensive lines, but four freshmen on the O-line may get snaps and three on the D-line.

The starters who returned are good, and they have busted their tails to learn an all-new system in hopes of a good season.

The offensive line has learned all-new blocking schemes for the diversity-crazed Petrino.

So, yes, the overall returning talent was a little thin and, yes, the past two recruiting classes — especially Petrino’s first one — are very, very solid.

On one hand, Petrino was fortunate that the state produced more Division-I football players than usual.

Normally, eight to 12 homegrown kids is what you can expect, and most of those will redshirt.

This year’s true freshman class was exceptional at the skill positions, which has the easiest transition from high school to college.

Jarius Wright (Warren ), Joe Adams (Little Rock ), Greg Childs (Warren ) and Chris Gragg (Warren ) are 18-year-old receivers who will run through the “A” for the first time Saturday and could be sprinting down the field looking for a pass during the game.

Dennis Johnson (Texarkana ) and De’Anthony Curtis (Camden ) most likely will run or catch the ball Saturday night.

Tyler Wilson (Greenwood ) has a shot at relieving Casey Dick at quarterback.

Zach Stadther (North Little Rock ) and Lavunce Askew (Camden ) look to see action on defense.

There are some who are not native sons who also expect to spend a lot of time on the field. In fact, Jelani Smith (Abbeville, La. ) and Elton Ford (Alpharetta, Ga. ) will start.

That’s obviously just some of the freshmen who are expected to contribute immediately.

However, they are still inexperienced and will begin their growing process Saturday.

Between now and the SEC opener Sept. 20 against Alabama, these guys will have three tests that will get progressively more difficult.

The SEC, considered by the majority of folks to be the best college football conference in the country, is a huge leap from high school or even Western Illinois and Louisiana-Monroe.

Texas will be a major hurdle, especially in Austin.

It is easy to get caught up in the hype surrounding the start of the football season and the young talent the Razorbacks have, but this is more likely a foundation season than a championship one.

Yes, everyone will dig in to make this a great senior season for the guys who have been busting it for four or five years.

Desire, though, might not be enough.

This could be a season when Razorbacks fans need to know there will be growing pains.

There might be some pleasant surprises, but once they get past this weekend, there are zero gimmes on the schedule.

One thing that gives the Razorbacks some hope is they will not be predictable on offense. But still, when you are counting on this many freshmen in the rotations, there has to be a large margin for error.

It could be an interesting season as far as victories and losses go, but it will definitely be an entertaining year if you like highscoring offenses and you understand this is just the beginning.