It’s hard to deny that the Southeastern Conference Western Division is the toughest in college football.
The division has seen four winners since 2006, and three of the past four national champions have hailed from the SEC West.
Five of six teams reached the nine-win mark last season and are nearing perfection.
So as hundreds of media members gathered in Birmingham, Ala., for the annual SEC Media Days, many wondered which team will emerge from the revolving door of champions this season.
University of Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, whose Razorbacks were an early favorite last season, took the microphone first and made it clear he was ready to compete for the title again this season.
“I’m really excited to get started,” Petrino said. “We will have to find out a lot about ourselves … and find out what’s going to make us the type of football team we were a year that.”
Whoever wins the job will be surrounded by talent.
Arkansas returns three of four top receivers last season, including senior Greg Childs, a near unanimous First-Team All-SEC selection last season.
Another bright spot returning for the Razorbacks is First-Team All-SEC junior running back Knile Davis.
Davis, who quietly led the conference with 1,322 yards last season, reaffirmed the notion that Arkansas is in it to win it.
“We put the work in,” said Davis, who became the 10th player in Arkansas history to rush for more than 1,000 yards.
“There’s a lot of hype for all the other teams in the SEC, and we don’t see why we don’t fit into the win.”
Leading the Bulldogs’ efforts are senior running back Vick Ballard and senior quarterback Chris Relf.
Ballard set a school record last season with 20 total touchdowns while posting 968 rushing yards on 186 carries. Relf did his part as well, passing for 1,789 yards and 13 touchdowns as well as 880 yards on the ground for five touchdowns.
Ballard said the triple threat of himself, Relf and sophomore running back LaDarius Perkins in the backfield could be a key to success this season.
“[Relf] could throw it to Perkins out the backfield, who’s a speedy guy and he could fake to me or give to me,” the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College transfer said. “It’s really