1. TEXAS

When: Sept. 13

Where: Darrell Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas

Record last season: 10-3

Record vs. Arkansas: Texas leads, 55-21

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 6, Defense: 4

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Texas 22, Arkansas 20 (Sept. 11, 2004)

The difference-maker: Texas may be better in the defensive secondary compared to last season just because of new faces, but that won't stop UA head coach Bobby Petrino from throwing the ball. If Texas' Colt McCoy can find a rhythm, the game could be a long one for the Hogs, who must play a near-perfect game in all facets to have a chance against a more-talented Longhorns squad.

The deal-maker: This game will be the first huge road test for the Hogs and whether they can run their offense in a hostile environment. And you can bet Arkansas fans' voices will be at a fever pitch if the Hogs are 2-0 entering this game, especially if Petrino's offense racks up huge numbers to start the season.

The deal-breaker: The lone worry from old-school Razorback fans will be that Petrino and the players do not understand the rivalry. The good news for Hog fans, though, is that Petrino was a perfect 4-0 against rival Kentucky, which led the series 10-5 in the fight for the Governor's Cup, while coaching at Louisville. But with the game a non-conference matchup and the Hogs an obvious underdog, the early season game really won't have much of an effect on what matters most - the Southeastern Conference.

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2. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

When: Sept. 20

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

Record last season: 7-6

Record vs. UA: Alabama leads, 10-8

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 7. Defense: 6

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Alabama 41, Arkansas 38 (Sept. 15, 2007)

The difference-maker: This game is a battle of the untested receiving corps. Arkansas' Casey Dick and Alabama's John Parker Wilson might have combined for seven touchdown passes in last year's game, but the will the pass-catchers in this year's game be able to consistently beat coverage? Whichever team can squeeze the most production form its unsung receiving corps and can do the best to overcome its horrible losses at linebacker, will likely win the game.

The deal-maker: You can't win 'em all, if you don't win the first one. The simple fact of the matter is that no team wants to be behind the 8-ball after its first conference game. Any time Arkansas and Alabama open SEC play against each other, this game will be huge for both programs.

The deal-breaker: Though Alabama won last year's matchup, Arkansas finished with a better overall record. The SEC season is a marathon, not a sprint, and the Arkansas-Alabama game takes place so early on in the season that the losing team has time to regroup. This extra time could be especially valuable for the 2008 Razorbacks, who will have to adjust to Petrino's new system as well as life without star running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.

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3. OLE MISS REBELS

When: Oct. 25

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

Record last season: 3-9

Record vs. Arkansas: 23-30-1

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 6, Defense: 9

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Arkansas won, 44-8, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Oct. 20, 2007.

The difference-maker:  Two of Dick's best games have come against Ole Miss. His most prolific passing performance of 2005 was at Oxford. Dick completed 17-of-24 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns. He connected on his final 12 attempts to lead Arkansas to three consecutive second-half scoring drives during the 28-17 win. He returned to Oxford last year, and unlike 2005, did the bulk of his damage early. Dick hit his first seven passes and finished the day with three touchdowns, completing 11-of-17 pass attempts in the 44-8 win. Picking apart the Rebels shouldn't be a problem for Dick in '08. He'll have likely established a rapport with his receiving corps by this point in the season. An Ole Miss secondary lacking depth and athleticism should only improve Dick's prospects for success.

The deal-maker: Though the two coaches will downplay the significance of the Nutt's return to Fayetteville, the narrative will dominate the run up to the game. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino wants to prove the wisdom of the university's decision to hire him, and Nutt is eager to give Arkansas and the fan base who precipitated his departure a healthy dollop of comeuppance.

The deal-breaker: Beating Ole Miss is always integral to Arkansas' success, but even more so this year. With a demanding conference schedule and a nonconference tilt at Texas, wins will be hard to come by for the Razorbacks. The chance to spoil Nutt's homecoming adds an additional element of importance.

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4. Florida

When: Oct. 4

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

Record last season: 9-4

Record vs. Arkansas: 6-1

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 8, Defense: 8

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Florida 38, Arkansas 28 at SEC Championship (Dec. 2, 2006)

The difference-maker: If Arkansas is to defeat Florida, it must successfully cope with the intimidation factor. While these Gators are darn good, they're not Steve Spurrier-dangerous. The Hogs will need to prove their noses are just as hard. The key will be to impede Tebow and Harvin to turn that Gator chomp into a nibble.

Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick will be throwing against an experienced Gator secondary. Dick won't likely outgun Tebow but he can't afford to make any mistakes. Playing at home will help Dick but he has to do the rest.

The deal-maker: This game is key for both clubs. Arkansas must take advantage of all of its home games. The tilt is especially crucial for Arkansas with consecutive road trips to Auburn and Kentucky looming. After beginning with back-to-back cupcakes, the Hogs could be fighting for their lives against Florida following consecutive fist fights with Texas and Alabama, Arkansas' SEC opener.

Florida must focus on Arkansas despite a match with hated rival LSU looming the following week.

The deal-breaker: The importance of this game for Arkansas will be based on how well the Hogs fare against Alabama in their SEC opener. Florida could easily be 2-0 in SEC play heading into the Arkansas game. A loss for Arkansas doesn't sting as bad after a win over Alabama.

The significance of the contest for Florida is dependent on what transpires in its four previous games. Florida has national championship aspirations. A loss early could smolder those hopes.

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5. LSU

When: Nov. 28

Where: War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock

Record last season: 12-2

Record vs. Arkansas: LSU leads, 33-18-2

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 7, Defense: 5

The difference-maker: LSU will surely have found an adequate replacement for Matt Flynn at quarterback by the Nov. 28 game with Arkansas. Whether the Bayou Bengals can improve their defensive secondary by the end of the season is another question, however. Arkansas will need to weaken LSU's defensive front with production in the passing game. LSU's offensive line is huge and Arkansas looks to be weak defensively. Both team's weaknesses will match up well with each team's strength.

The deal-maker: While the rivalry seemed forced to start off with, the Battle for the Golden Boot has become more important with almost every passing year. LSU ended Arkansas' hopes for a national title in 2006 in this game and the Razorbacks beat the Tigers and nearly returned the favor in 2007. The game is the only game on TV nationally the Friday after Thanksgiving and plenty of eyes will get to see if the Razorbacks can upset a thought-to-be national contender in LSU at War Memorial Stadium.

The deal-breaker: Predictions are a tough thing, but if the Hogs are out of contention for a bowl game by late November, this contest may be for nothing but Razorback pride. LSU may already be out of the race for the SEC Championship as well if Auburn can take care of the Bayou Bengals at home on Sept. 20.

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6. AUBURN

When: Oct. 11

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.

Record last season: 9-4

Record vs. Arkansas: Auburn leads series, 10-6-1

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 8, Defense: 7

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Auburn 9, Arkansas 7 (Oct. 13, 2007)

The difference-maker: Auburn quarterback Kodi Burns may get the nod at starter before the season begins and his double-threat of running and throwing the ball could prove deadly to an inexperienced Arkansas secondary. Arkansas will have to put points on the board against a defense that may only have a weak spot in the running game. Running backs Michael Smith and Brandon Barnett will need to do their best when their numbers are called by Bobby Petrino.

The deal-maker: Much will be made of Bobby Petrino and Tommy Tuberville's relationship leading up to this game, but the focus really should be on the two squads' variations of the Spread offense. With a tough home game the week prior against Florida, Arkansas will be looking to prove it's more potent offensively against another exciting opponent. Defense may be optional in Auburn, Ala., for this one.

The deal-breaker: This match-up may have been a bit higher on the Hogs' list of importance in most years, but games with Texas, Alabama and Florida precede this stiff road test Oct. 11.

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7. SOUTH CAROLINA

When: Nov. 8

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

Record last season: 6-6

Record vs. Arkansas: UA leads, 10-6

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 6, Defense: 10

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Arkansas 48, South Carolina 36 (Nov. 3)

The difference-maker: Quarterback play has almost always been important in this matchup with Spurrier. Last year was an anomaly as Darren McFadden went nuts on the ground with 321 yards, but the winner of this contest has almost always had the better play at quarterback. Casey Dick's long touchdown pass to Marcus Monk as time expired in the first half of the 2006 game in Columbia, S. C. proves that.

The deal-maker: Arkansas' most winnable back-toback SEC games start with this one. A trip to Mississippi State follows after a bye week. A road win at South Carolina would prove to be important for the Razorbacks, who must face LSU later if they want a shot at a winning record in the month of November. This game has also been important toward bowl eligibility for the Gamecocks.

The deal-breaker: With three games remaining in the season, early losses in two of the toughest schedules in the nation could prove to be too powerful to overcome for South Carolina and Arkansas. Additionally, the Gamecocks lost their last five games last season and the build-up the week of this game on the Razorbacks' end was not too important.

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8. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

When: Nov. 1

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

Record last season: 10-4

Record vs. Arkansas:16-51-3

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 9, Defense: 5

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Arkansas 45, Tulsa 13 (Sept. 6, 2003)

The difference-maker: The key difference-maker in this game as well as all of Arkansas' games this season is the consistency of quarterback Casey Dick in Petrino's Power Spread. Tulsa QB Smith is inexperienced now but by Week 10 should have plenty of reps under his belt in the no-huddle. Smith has an abundance of proven options and Dick does not. Arkansas' receivers will play a huge role. If they can't get open, Tulsa may shut the door.

The deal-maker: Depending on how Arkansas fares through its slate leading up to the Tulsa tilt, it will at least give the Golden Hurricane a more accurate gauge of its progress through the first nine weeks of the season. Several prognosticators have Tulsa going unbeaten heading into the Arkansas game, albeit against one of the nation's weakest schedules. Arkansas will face Tulsa on homecoming. Combine that distraction with the Malzahn chatter and a tough road game against South Carolina looming the following week, and the Hogs' attention could get diverted elsewhere. With Arkansas' tough SEC slate, it will need this nonconference win to boost its bowl stock.

The deal-breaker: It's a nonconference game for both schools. Tulsa has lost 16 consecutive games to Arkansas and is 16-51-3 in the series. Tulsa faces possibly its toughest conference test of the season in Central Florida on a Sunday just before the Arkansas game and could be emotionally and physically spent.

9. MISSISSIPPI STATE

When: Nov. 22

Where: Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss.

Record last season: 8-5

Record vs. Arkansas: Arkansas leads, 12-5-1

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 6, Defense: 8

The difference-maker: Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick had one of the best outings of his college career against Mississippi State's stout defense last year. The Bulldogs return all their starters to the secondary, the same secondary Dick torched for four touchdown passes last November. But will Dick have the same success through the air without the threat of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the backfield?

The deal-maker: This game could very well represent the sixth victory needed for bowl eligibility for one, or even both, teams. If that's the case, expect a real slobberknocker. This game is almost always big just because it's a late-season conference matchup.

The deal-breaker: MSU has lost nine straight and 12 of the last 13 games to Arkansas. Razorback fans have come to view this game as a more-than-likely victory, and usually more of a tuneup for LSU. And for basically the last decade, MSU has become accustomed to dropping the Arkansas game and getting geared up for instate rival Ole Miss.

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10. KENTUCKY

When: Oct. 18

Where: Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.

Record last season: 8-5, 3-5 SEC

Record vs. Arkansas: 3-2

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense: 5

Defense: 8

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Kentucky 42, Arkansas 29 (Sept. 22, 2007)

The difference-maker: This game may come down to the running game for both teams. With UK's 94th-ranked rushing defense returning most of its starters, Arkansas tailback Michael Smith may be looking for a little redemption after giving up a 66-yard fumble for a touchdown in last year's game in Fayetteville. But sophomore Derrick Lowe and presumed-to-be starter at quarterback Curtis Pulley could provide a one-two punch in the running game as well for the Wildcats.

The deal-maker: With the game in the latter half of the season, this contest could prove to be the difference between a bowl berth and a losing season for Arkansas and Kentucky. There aren't many breathers on Arkansas' tough schedule in 2008, and even this game that seems to be one of the weaker opponents will prove to be a tough task in Commonwealth Stadium. Road success will be the key to overall success for Bobby Petrino's Hogs, especially with trips to Texas, Auburn, Kentucky, South Carolina and Mississippi State lining the schedule.

The deal-breaker: Holding on might be the mantra for the Razorbacks after playing Florida and Auburn prior to the trip to Lexington, Ky. A month without a win for the Hogs is a real possibility heading into the trip and fans expecting improvement in the offense and defense may be as intense as ever. A visit from Houston Nutt and Ole Miss may also be on the minds of fans and players on Oct. 25.

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11. LOUISIANA-MONROE

When: Sept. 6

Where: War Memorial Stadium, Little Rock

Record last season: 6-6

Record vs. Arkansas: 0-7-0

RETURNING STARTERS: Offense: 7, Defense: 8

LAST TIME THEY MET: Result: Arkansas 44, ULM 10 (2006)

The difference-maker: The ULM offensive line is not as experienced as in years past, and has the unenviable task of facing the Hogs' strong, deep defensive line. It's not hard to imagine Arkansas D-tackles Malcolm Sheppard and Ernest Mitchell exploiting ULM's new starters at center and right guard.

The deal-maker: Obviously, if the Razorbacks were to be upset in this game, it would not bode well for them in the remainder of their murderer's row schedule. The Hogs must avoid the temptation of looking past the Warhawks, a seasoned team that returns most of its top players from last season.

The deal-breaker: Arkansas fans, at least, are likely chalking up this game as a given win. Though ULM upset a slumping Alabama squad last year, it also lost to Troy, North Texas and Middle Tennessee. It's easy to see how the Razorbacks themselves could look past ULM to the following week's game against Texas at Austin.

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12. Western Illinois

When: Aug. 30

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

Record last season: 6-5

Record vs. Arkansas: 0-0

Returning Starters: Offense: 9, Defense: 9

The difference-maker: Arkansas quarterback Casey Dick will likely get a lot of early work with his throwing arm, and should make easy work of the Western Illinois defense. For the Leathernecks to have a chance, they'll need balance from running back Herb Donaldson and quarterback Matt Barr, along with a surprising stellar showing by their defensive line.

The deal-maker: For Western Illinois, there's nothing to lose. Win and you're forever remembered along with Appalachian State and the Citadel. Lose and you still take home a good payday. For Arkansas fans, the chance to see Bobby Petrino's offense take the field will be reason enough for a nearsellout and plenty of preseason chat.

The deal-breaker: Arkansas should stave off Western Illinois easily, and the second half may be a snoozer if the Razorbacks' offense lights up the scoreboard in the first 30 minutes.

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