January is here, conference play is here, and Arkansas is already being picked off in the first game of the new year. The real trip to the NCAA tournament begins now and the No. 23 Razorbacks will play No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers for the first conference game of the season. Although they are just coming off a huge win against Oakland, the very team Calipari’s former Kentucky team lost to in last year’s tournament, analysts don’t believe Arkansas even has a chance of winning this next one.

On The Field of 68: After Dark, the hosts discuss the upcoming match-up as John Fanta asks Matt McCall his pick. The coach does not even hesitate, “Come on, Fanta. Thompson Bowling Arena is going to be rocking. There’s nobody else to pick other than the Tennessee Vols. If you pick otherwise – I know Arkansas has some talent but come on man. No chance.”

In the game against Oakland, the main star of the show was Boogie Fland as the Razorbacks heated up in the second half to build on their three-point lead, making it a massive 92-62 win. But for the first-year Razorbacks coach, Tennessee’s previous 7-2 record against Arkansas might be a little scary to go into. Calipari’s squad is on a 6-game winning streak but it’s about to be their third loss of the season, most believe.

Fanta agreed with McCall on the podcast, “Yeah this is a game where Arkansas’ at a frantic pace and they’re gonna have to hit at least 10 threes to be in the game. Now, can they get going? Sure. Will they in that atmosphere with Chaz Lanier and Zakai Zeigler on the other side? Not happening.”

“Give me the Vols. Tennessee wins this game and could win this game big if things are clicking for them because I think it’s a bad match-up for where Arkansas is. Some of Arkansas’ pace and franticness could play right into Tennesse’s hands.”

The Vols are 13-0 in the non-conference slate and senior transfer Chaz Lanier, second in the SEC in points per game with 19.6 on 46% from long-range shooting, will be the biggest threat to Arkansas. The Razorbacks boast their own stars in Fland, Adou Thiero, Johnell Davis, Trevon Brazile, and even former Tennessee player Jonas Aidoo.

But the chances of their winning Saturday’s match-up are low. Even most rankings around the country agree.

Despite the top 25 AP Ranking, John Calipari’s team nowhere near in other rankings

First-year coach John Calipari has made the Arkansas Razorbacks a respectable squad and their 11-2 record speaks for itself. However, this young team, although typically remaining in the top 25 so far this season in the AP Rankings, is nowhere close to the rest. Pomeroy, or KenPom, ranks them at 38, one spot ahead of unbeaten Oklahoma and behind nine other SEC schools.

KenPom is cheering for Auburn at the top, followed by Duke and Tennessee. In the NCAA NET Rankings, where Tennessee is 2nd and Auburn still at the top, Arkansas is all the way at 37, previously at 41. One reason is their 1-2 mark against Quad 1 opponents, yet they are 3-0 versus Quad 3s and 7-0 against Quad 4s.

Quad 1 schools will now be on Arkansas’ conference schedule, making it that much harder to win, but these rankings won’t mean much until February comes. The Razorbacks and Calipari have the rest of January to figure out how to get on top, but first, they have to tackle the Vols on Jan. 4th.