How does Bobby Petrino's latest great quarterback compare to his most well-known? Quite favorably, if you as the coach.

Petrino said Mallett, the 6-foot-7, cannon-armed, potential Heisman Trophy candidate, has many of the qualities that made Brian Brohm a record-setting quarterback for him in the middle of last decade at Louisville.

Brohm, who's now with the Buffalo Bills, finished as the Big East's career leader in passing yards, throwing for 9,956 yards from 2005-07. He led the Cardinals to a 24-9 record.

Mallett, an SEC first-teamer, threw for 3,627 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first season with Arkansas last year. The Razorbacks went 8-5.

"The comparisons with Brian and Ryan start off the field: how much they love the game, how much they are dedicated to being a student of the game," Petrino said.

Not everything is comparable. Petrino said Brohm didn't have the arm strength that Mallett does and relied more on his timing, being able to throw the ball before a receiver came open.

Mallett's arm is so strong that Petrino has had to ask him to tone down some of his throws so he can put a better touch on the ball.

With Mallett, a deep group of receivers and Petrino's usual inventiveness on offense, the Razorbacks are a popular sleeper pick in the SEC West. Arkansas also has the added benefit of playing Alabama at home Sept. 25.

Said Petrino: "We're embracing the expectations."