Arkansas Sports 360.com - July 2008 - (Page 130) tHe last Word A POSTER ON ONE OF THE Razorback message boards recently took me to task for what he termed “bashing” the Hogs during my Tuesday spot on KABZ-FM “The Buzz’s” midday show, “The Zone.” Pat Bradley, a co-host with Justin Acri, had asked me what I expected form the upcoming Arkansas season and I responded that after the first two games, which most expect to be wins, that he should enjoy them. More wins after that would be slow to come. No one, not even Southern Cal or Ohio State, approaches a stretch of Texas, Alabama, Florida and Auburn and expects nothing less than major difficulty. Arkansas’s lack of talent in several key areas this fall makes that stretch even more imposing for the Hogs. I said on the air that it would get relatively easier from that point on until the season finale against LSU. Frankly, this should be obvious to any true fan of college football who doesn’t expect the Hogs to contend year after year for the BCS championship game. I said, worst- Arkansas, Petrino Could Be in for Difficult 2008 Season case, that Arkansas might be fortunate if they won one Southeastern Conference game. On paper the three best chances to win in the league are also road games – Kentucky, South Carolina, Mississippi State. Ole Miss and Alabama are teams within Arkansas’ reach if nearly everything falls right. Florida, LSU and traveling to Auburn would seem a bit out of the Hogs’ reach this year. That, it was termed, was “bashing.” Hog fans will need to face facts: While Jeff Long may have struck gold and landed the best coach possible for Arkansas’ program, the dividends to the hire won’t start paying off until year three. Arkansas talent-wise may have been in similar shape in 2004-2005, but for a firstyear coach we haven’t seen the cupboard this bare since 1990, the year Jack Crowe took over for Ken Hatfield. Crowe went 3-8 and needed a win over woeful, deathpenalty-warmed-over SMU to avoid an 0-8 Southwest Conference mark. And, hey, we like Jack (who’s now having mater. Broyles turned his 4-6 first year success at Jacksonville State in Alabama) into 9-2, a conference championship and and he’s bookish smart, but he’s no Bobby a bowl win in his second. Fact is, Wyatt’s Petrino. But even Petrino will have to work and Broyles’ predecessors had left some a level of magic he hasn’t had to reach in able talent – and Broyles did a marvelous his career to hide the fact that Arkansas job restocking when he arrived. — besides its front lines, its tight ends and If Petrino can match Wyatt’s mark and an experienced if average quarterback have Hog fans whooping it up with big — doesn’t have the talent or experience wins and a bowl game in 2009 – when needed in the SEC at receiver, linebacker the schedule may be even tougher than and in the secondary. The debate is on, this year’s – then more power to him. Our too, whether the smallish running backs guess, though, is that when the schedule can hold up for 12 games, but at least they eases somewhat in 2010 and 2011 and he won’t be running into eight- and nine-man piles like Darren McFadden did. has the lacking areas restocked with SECOther than Crowe’s first season, the type talent, that’s when Razorback fans will only Razorback head coach to start his enjoy Saturdays on a more regular basis. career so inauspiciously since the Frank Hog fans looking for a repeat of HousBroyles Era began was ton Nutt’s first season, Broyles himself, going should probably follow 0-6 before winning his Ole Miss, where the )) ) last four games of 1958. former Hog coach has More Jim Harris columns are available online at once again walked Bowden Wyatt went 3-7 into a ready-made in his first two years, the situation, especially second being a complete within the defensive turnaround and even a top front seven, where it 10 ranking for a while most matters in the before he bolted for SEC. ❍ Tennessee, his alma JIM HARRIS ON THE WEB Yourself here 263 Spacious Rooms to House Your Teams and Fans Hilton Serenity Beds and Spa Collection Amenities One Mile to War Memorial Stadium Complimentary On-Site Car and Bus Parking Grand Cafe for Breakfast Lunch and Dinner One Mile to Shopping at Park Plaza and MidTowne Malls The Hilton 925 S. University Ave. Little Rock, AR 501-664-5020 The Hilton Welcomes Football Teams and Fans! 130 ArkansasSports360.com July 2008 http://ArkansasSports360.com http://ArkansasSports360.com
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