FAYETTEVILLE -- College football is nearing with Arkansas set to begin practice next week.

The Razorbacks are anxious to get the season started in hopes of getting the bad taste of 2023 out of their mouths. Arkansas was 4-8 in 2023 and ended the season with some one-sided losses to Auburn and Missouri.

The expectation at Arkansas is the team will be better in 2024. That obviously tends to lead to the question how much better? Some insiders at Arkansas feel the team will be much better, but the media doesn't necessarily agree since they picked the Hogs 14th in the SEC out of 16 teams.

Here's three reasons Arkansas should be better in 2024 and possibly much better.

Bobby Petrino Calling the Plays

Make no mistake the play calling in 2023 was bad much of the season. Sam Pittman, in some ways, is fortunate his hire of Dan Enos as offensive coordinator didn't cost him his own job. Pittman fired Enos after an embarrassing 7-3 loss at home to lowly Mississippi State. The Hogs, under Kenny Guiton, did manage to defeat Florida, but the offense didn't do much against Auburn and Missouri. Bobby Petrino is one of the best at calling plays in the nation. He has a knack for it and when at Arkansas was nothing short of genius. Some say Petrino is older now so he isn't the same coach when he was in Fayetteville previously. One doesn't forget how to call plays and Petrino has always been recognized as among the best in the business. His presence will allow the offense to be better and thus the Hogs should be better on offense.

Leadership, Team Chemistry

Last year's team had serious chemistry issues. Some of the players didn't like the supposed leaders on that team and it showed in their play. Some of the key players who simply weren't liked by teammates are gone and have been replaced. Quarterback Taylen Green is a natural born leader and it has shown since he arrived in Fayetteville from Boise State. Green and others have provided leadership that simply wasn't there last season. The team chemistry seems much better as a result of the leadership and the players generally liking each other. It was obvious last season that leadership was lacking. No team will be successful without leadership.

Improved Talent

The transfer portal was good to Arkansas. In addition to Green coming over from Boise State to play quarterback, the Hogs signed three offensive linemen from the transfer portal who are slated to start. Running back Ja'Quinden Jackson coming from Utah has provided the Hogs with a good weapon out of the backfield. Arkansas signed three linebackers from the transfer portal and defensive tackle Danny Saili, 6-3, 355, is a mountain on the line. Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. came from Georgia where he started the SEC Championship game. He was a five-star recruit out of high school. Landon Jackson opted to bypass the NFL Draft and return for another season. At left tackle on offense, Fernando Carmona will prove to be among the best in the SEC. Tight end Luke Hasz is healthy again after suffering an injury in the Texas A&M game. Hasz will be among the best tight ends in the nation. Overall, Arkansas has better talent than they had in 2023 and that should lead to some additional wins.