LITTLE ROCK — The O.C. or the D.C.? There is no right answer to which Arkansas coordinator is more on the spot.
Introduced as the head coach, John L. Smith opened the door for the argument when he confirmed that he would not be as involved as his predecessor by saying, “I’ve always let my coordinators coordinate.”
Front and center, that would be Paul Petrino and Paul Haynes.
Petrino’s role will be subject to more scrutiny because fans expect the Razorbacks to outscore many opponents and because his play selection will be measured against the standard set by his brother. Disregarding the departure of Jake Bequette and others and based solely on the Cotton Bowl, the assumption is that the defense will improve.
No matter what Petrino called last year at Illinois, offensive production was limited. Illinois started 6-0 and lost its last six. During that losing streak, Illinois tallied only one touchdown in three of the games and never scored more than 17.
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Judging by the All-Big Ten team selected by the coaches, Illinois had only one playmaker and nobody to block. Receiver A.J. Jenkins was the lone Illinois representative on the first two offensive units.
Petrino has at least four times as many playmakers with quarterback Tyler Wilson, running back Knile Davis, wide receiver Cobi Hamilton, and tight end Chris Gragg.
That core will produce points against the lesser lights on the Arkansas schedule, but the true read will come vs. Alabama and LSU. If the Razorbacks make 300 yards or less against one or both, remember that Arkansas netted only 226 and 254 in 24-point losses to Alabama and LSU in 2011.
Interestingly, it was Haynes who called Wilson “the face of the program” after the Red-White game on April 21. The fifth-year senior deserves the title.
When strength and conditioning coach Jason Veltkamp approached Wilson prior to the scrimmage and told him, “Hey, you’ve got the team … “ after Zack Hocker’s final field goal attempt, Wilson embraced the moment, addressing the team, just as Bobby Petrino had done the past four years.
His command of the offense is unquestioned and he’s certain to be more at ease headed for the sideline to confer with Paul Petrino than he was when the head coach was ready and waiting with a string of choice words.
Impressive before and during the game, Wilson was equally inspiring when the spotlight was off.
Only a couple of hundred people were still in the stadium when Wilson, still in uniform and trailed by a sports information office underling, jogged in front of the stands on the pressbox side. Fans pressed against the concrete wall and he slapped hands with almost every one.
He reached the end zone and stopped to sign something. Dozens of empty seats later, he accommodated a group or five, signing something else. He made a left and continued to connect with the fans, moving slow enough not to slight anybody.
Defensive playmakers don’t roll off the tongue easily, a scary thought considering Arkansas must be better against the run, particularly against Alabama and LSU. A year ago, the former outdid Arkansas on the ground 197-17 and the latter bested the Razorbacks 286-47.
On the plus side, the decision to leave former end Tenarius Wright at middle linebacker indicates a confidence in the other members of the defensive front. If Wright can play in the middle, Alonzo Highsmith will be back outside from where he made five unassisted tackles in the 13-point victory over Kansas State.
Whether Arkansas’ tackling improved in the Cotton Bowl because of Haynes or because of Kansas State’s lack of speed is up for debate. So, too, the coordinator question.
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Harry King is sports columnist for Stephens Media’s Arkansas News Bureau. His e-mail address is hking@arkansasnews.com.