FAYETTEVILLE — Bret Bielema started looking toward the future before the end of last season.
The Arkansas coach will have his first true look at that future when junior Austin Allen steps under center for the first time as the No. 1 quarterback when the Razorbacks open spring practice next week.
Allen, who has seen limited action in each of the last two seasons, takes over for his older brother, Brandon — the starting quarterback in each of Bielema's first three seasons at Arkansas.
And while there are a host of other quarterbacks on campus with hopes of earning the starting job, Bielema has made it clear over the last few months that Austin Allen enters the spring as the prohibitive favorite to step under center when the Razorbacks open the season against Louisiana Tech on Sept.