Sam Pittman can’t tell the future, but he’s a smart man.
The Arkansas coach knew pitchforks would be out for his staff, himself and his program following the Hogs’ third straight loss Saturday, a 40-17 whipping at the hands of Mississippi State.
The defeat not only sent Arkansas all the way out of the Top 25, not even garnering a single vote, but also saw the Razorbacks labeled “losers” by USA TODAY’s Paul Myerberg in his weekly column.
“Under far less scrutiny, Arkansas’ season has followed the Oklahoma model: strong start, national attention, higher and higher rankings in the Coaches Poll, three losses in a row. The first loss, 23-21 to Texas A&M, was easily avoidable had the Razorbacks put their foot down when up 14-0 in the first half. Last week’s defeat, 49-26 to Alabama, was a 28-23 game before the Crimson Tide pulled away. Saturday’s was different: Mississippi State dominated from kickoff, likely ending Arkansas’ odds of a major bowl.”
Arkansas started 3-3, but things have changed since KJ Jefferson’s fumble near the goal line in the loss to Texas A&M. Little becomes easier, either, as the Razorbacks travel to Brigham Young in Week 7 and are likely to drop below .500, matching last year’s loss total of four with five regular-season games remaining.
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