FAYETTEVILLE — With an impressive close to the 2014 season, Arkansas assured itself plenty of exposure in the year to come.
After bursting onto the scene with consecutive shutouts of LSU and Ole Miss in November, the Razorbacks saved arguably their best performance for last with Monday's 31-7 rout of Texas in Houston. Arkansas finished the season 7-6 and might even receive a vote or two in the final polls released later this month.
Because preseason polls put an emphasis on the previous year's bowl games, don't be surprised to see the Razorbacks ranked when next season begins.
With a limited number of contributors departing, signs point toward Arkansas having a breakthrough season under Bret Bielema. On offense, the Razorbacks will return a pair of 1,000-yard running backs, a third-year starting quarterback, the majority of the offensive line and one of the nation's best tight ends.
Defensively, Arkansas will have to replace all-conference performers Trey Flowers at defensive end and Martrell Spaight at linebacker, and could have to replace a budding star in defensive tackle Darius Philon if he opts to go pro.
The good news is the Razorbacks will return players with playing experience at all 11 positions. Barring an offer he can't refuse, Arkansas will also return defensive coordinator Robb Smith.
The area of most concern to Arkansas should be special teams, where punter Sam Irwin-Hill has graduated and the place-kicking and return games were shaky this season.
Much of the optimism surrounding the Razorbacks will center not only around what Arkansas has returning, but what other teams within the division are losing. Alabama, Ole Miss and Auburn will have to find new quarterbacks next season, and Mississippi State could potentially have to do the same. All four of those schools will take significant hits at either the skill positions or on the interior.
Though the 2-6 conference record suggests otherwise, the gap between Arkansas and the league's best wasn't wide this season. The Razorbacks lost to Alabama and Mississippi State by a combined eight points before the rout of Ole Miss.
The same can likely be said for many teams, but Arkansas was only a few plays away from a much bigger season. The final half of the year suggested the Razorbacks were on the right track.
There's no doubt voters - both media and coaches - took notice of Arkansas' final three wins. That might make the Razorbacks a trendy pick in 2015.