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 the 10 th most important game and part 3 in the 12-part series. Opposing coaches might be scratching their heads in the preseason in preparation of what to expect from Bobby Petrino’s first Razorbacks team.

The same could be said about coach Rich Brooks’ sixth edition of the Kentucky Wildcats.

While Arkansas will attempt to replace the offensive juggernaut of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, Kentucky will try to answer a question perhaps just as steep — what to do about an offense that returns five starters, three of which are on the offensive line.

The Oct. 18 match-up could prove to be fruitful or devastating for either team this season. With a win, Arkansas’ most winnable games would follow with a four-game stretch against teams the Razorbacks have beaten with relative ease in the last four seasons.

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A late-season game on the road against Kentucky, however, could spell trouble for Arkansas as the Wildcats find their footing on offense.

OFFENSE Kentucky lost 16 lettermen from last year’s team that built up an eight-win season, but no loss will be more important than quarterback André Woodson’s departure. Woodson threw for 3, 709 yards and 40 touchdowns in his senior campaign and questions concerning the offense abound this summer in the Bluegrass State. Woodson’s arm made up 61 percent of the Wildcats’ vaunted offense that ranked 24 th in the nation last year in total offense. Also gone are wide receivers Keenan Burton and Steve Johnson, who were Woodson’s two main targets in the passing game. “ The wide receiver position will be our biggest concern going into next year because we return only one proven pass-catcher in Dicky Lyons, ” Brooks said before spring practices. “ Our other receivers have to show they can be productive consistently. ” Lyons nabbed 56 passes for 655 yards and 7 touchdowns last season. Unproven receivers Kyrus Lanxter (1 catch, 6 yards ), DeMoreo Ford (7 catches, 47 yards ) and Anthony Mosley will also battle for playing time. Returning, however, are three offensive linemen in tackles Garry Williams and Justin Jeffries and left guard Zipp Duncan. Each provided great protection for Woodson and paved the way to a strong running game with freshman Derrick Locke hitting 521 yards and 5 touchdowns. Locke, now a sophomore, was the team’s fourth-string tailback heading into last season’s Arkansas game but rushed for 48 yards late with 1 touchdown because of injuries in the backfield. Depth will be a strongsuit still at tailback this season with senior Tony Dixon returning along with Alfonso Smith. As a result, the running game will get a lot more play in offensive coordinator Joker Phillips’ pass-happy system. Junior Curtis Pulley, who redshirted last season and was Woodson’s backup in 2005 and 2006, will present a dual-threat option to the Wildcats offense if he’s named the starter under center. Pulley completed 60. 9 percent of his passes a backup in two seasons and also ran for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns. Pulley, who left the Wildcats in the spring of 2007 only to re-enroll in the fall, was named the starter over Woodson in 2006 but was overtaken by him before the start of the season. Sophomore Mike Hartline, who backed up Woodson last year, will battle Pulley in fall camp for the starting nod.

DEFENSE As Brooks wonders who will replace the SEC’s top passer, defensive coordinator Steve Brown will be attempting to replace the conference’s leading tackler. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard (139 tackles, 8. 5 for a loss ) departs one of the worst rushing defenses in the nation. The defense, however, will return eight starters, including three on the defensive line. Defensive end Jeremy Jarmon, who led the team with nine sacks, will lead the way with cornerback Trevard Lindley backing him up as cover. Lindley, who intercepted a teamleading three passes last year, is the Wildcats’ leading returning tackler (66 tackles ). Lindley also recovered a Michael Smith fumble for a 66-yard touchdown in Arkansas’ 42-29 loss to the Wildcats last season. Kentucky’s scoring defense was one of the worst in the SEC, giving up 36. 5 points per game, but the unit still ranked 67 th overall nationally last season, giving up 397. 2 yards per game. “ I don’t think there is any doubt we were a much better defense last season, ” Brooks said. “ What the defense did was put us in position to have success. But, we didn’t make the strides we needed to make against the run or on thirddown defense. In my mind, we have to make significant improvement on defense this year. ”

• • • The difference-maker: This game may come down to the running game for both teams. With UK’s 94 th-ranked rushing defense returning most of its starters, Arkansas tailback Michael Smith may be looking for a little redemption after giving up a 66-yard fumble for a touchdown in last year’s game in Fayetteville. But sophomore Derrick Lowe and presumed-to-be starter at quarterback Curtis Pulley could provide a one-two punch in the running game as well for the Wildcats. The deal-maker: With the game in the latter half of the season, this contest could prove to be the difference between a bowl berth and a losing season for Arkansas and Kentucky. There aren’t many breathers on Arkansas ’ tough schedule in 2008, and even this game that seems to be one of the weaker opponents will prove to be a tough task in Commonwealth Stadium. Road success will be the key to overall success for Bobby Petrino’s Hogs, especially with trips to Texas, Auburn, Kentucky South Carolina and Mississippi State lining the schedule. The deal-breaker: Holding on might be the mantra for the Razorbacks after playing Florida and Auburn prior to the trip to Lexington, Ky. A month without a win for the Hogs is a real possibility heading into the trip and fans expecting improvement in the offense and defense may be as intense as ever. A visit from Houston Nutt and Ole Miss may also be on the minds of fans and players on Oct. 25.