Editor’s Note: The Arkansas Razorbacks will face one of the toughest football schedules in the nation in 2008. The sports staff of the Northwest Arkansas Times ranked Arkansas ’ 12 upcoming games from least important to most important based on fan fervor, storylines and the effect a win or loss would have on the Razorbacks ’ season. This is part 1 of a 12-part series profiling the Razorbacks ’ opponents, starting with the 12 th most important game of 2008.

Arkansas’ season-opening match-up with Western Illinois may be one of its weakest in history, but fan interest may be at its highest for such a game.

Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino will lead his first Razorbacks team to the field against the Football Championship Subdivision squad Aug. 30 with question marks surrounding an unproven defense and offense. Meanwhile, the Leathernecks will face their toughest test of the season in their opener as they look for sure-footing under a second-year starter at quarterback.

The two teams have never played each other, and Western Illinois hasn’t reached the postseason in the FCS playoff format since 2003. Head coach Don Patterson, however, has led the Leathernecks to four wins over Division I teams in his nine seasons in Macomb, Ill.

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OFFENSE Western Illinois relied heavily on the arm of Matt Barr at quarterback last season. The redshirt freshman was inserted into the starter’s spot after he replaced perennial frontman Zack Wells on the second drive of the Leathernecks’ seasonopener. Barr started the last 10 games of the season and completed 55. 6 percent of his passes for 1, 305 yards. The Leathernecks, however, had just four touchdowns through the air with seven interceptions. He had a season-high 276 yards passing against Youngstown State and set the school’s record for rushing by a quarterback in a game (114 against South Dakota State ) and season (385 ). He also finished with four touchdowns rushing the ball. Senior running back Herb Donaldson handled the bulk of the offensive load for Western Illinois last season and rushed for 314 yards against Missouri State. He finished the year with seven games with 100 or more yards on the ground and led the Leathernecks with 1, 491 rushing yards in 10 games. Donaldson’s blockers on the offensive line may be the weakest area of the Western Illinois offense, Patterson said during spring practice. “ One of our biggest concerns is our offensive line, ” Patterson said April 16, according to a school press release. “ We lost both guards from last year. Most people will say you need a minimum of eight solid linemen to succeed and we’re still looking for those eight. ” The running game was supported well by the offensive line last season, though, and out-gained opponents 2, 812 to 1, 589 in 11 games. Receiver Carl Sims returns as a senior and had 45 catches for 546 yards last season and was the team’s only receiver with more than one touchdown.

DEFENSE Western Illinois’ defensive unit may be the strongest facet of the Leathernecks ’ chances to a postseason run in the FCS and upset of Arkansas. The team was ranked 21 st in team defense in the FCS last season, allowing 320 yards per game. Rover Mike McEachern, who was drafted 22 nd overall in the Canadian Football League draft in April, returns along with leading tackler Jason Williams at linebacker. Williams was named to the Associated Press All-America second team in the FCS last year, and led the Gateway Conference in sacks (8 ). He also led the Leathernecks in tackles (107 ), tackles for loss 16. 5 ) and forced fumbles 2 ).

The defense returns nine starters and five of their top six tacklers. Linebacker Travis Cherry, who recorded 81 tackles last season, will play alongside Williams.

“ This defense is even more refined than it was last fall, ” Patterson said.

Experience will be key for the defense, which forced 25 turnovers and helped the Leathernecks rank No. 7 in the FCS in turnover margin (1. 27 ) last season. Junior defensive back Patrick Stoudamire led the team with three interceptions.

“ We have real competition at several positions, ” Patterson said. “ Even with nine starters coming back on each side of the ball, and with some very experienced players returning, we are seeing some battles. Much of that is due to effective recruiting, especially on defense.

“ Our defensive coaches haven’t made too many mistakes on recruiting and we’re starting to see the results of that. ”