2012 Arkansas Razorbacks football team

However, head coach Bobby Petrino was fired in the offseason after it was discovered that he covered up an extramarital affair with a member of his staff.

Athletic director Jeff Long decided to hire former special teams coordinator John L. Smith, who had recently left to become the head coach at Weber State, as their head coach on a 10-month contract.

The Razorbacks started their season with a win over Jacksonville State, defeating former head coach Jack Crowe, and rose to No.

The Razorbacks would never re-enter the poll, as this loss began a 4-game losing streak, and an eventual 4–8 finish.

Instead, the Razorbacks chose to hire Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema.