2014’s late-year surge to bowl eligibility, capped with a Texas Bowl stomping of old Southwest Conference rival Texas, sent expectations soaring in Fayetteville for Bret Bielema’s third season.
The Razorbacks were a Top 20 preseason pick and an SEC West dark horse, hype that was justified given the return of nine offensive starters, four offensive linemen and a pair of 1,000-yard tailbacks.
But following Saturday’s stunning 16-12 loss to Toledo in Little Rock, it appears to be time to recalibrate those hopes.
While Toledo is one of the best teams in the Mid-American Conference, the Rockets have no business going into an SEC stadium and winning, much less the way they did.