The last couple days around the Arkansas football program have been slow. Just not in the way you might think.
The Razorbacks had a Sunday to fight off the proverbial hangover following a Week 4 loss to Texas A&M. After that day, though, it was full steam ahead for Alabama, long the top team in the country (even if they are the No. 2-ranked team this year).
It’s just taken the fan base a bit to get back up. That makes sense. The way Arkansas lost to Texas A&M was stinging. And instead of a showdown between two undefeated teams in Fayetteville for the nationally televised CBS game, Hogs-Tide is now, from a national perspective, mostly a chance to see if Arkansas can player spoiler.
To those around the Razorbacks program, though, it’s more than that. Arkansas didn’t suddenly become a bad team because of one loss, regardless if they fell nine and 10 spots in the national polls. Coach Sam Pittman’s team outplayed Texas A&M and the Aggies needed the fumble-return miracle and the right-upright miracle just to hold on.
Alabama was always going to be favored on Saturday. The three-ish touchdown mark seems about as anticipated. But there is no reason to believe Arkansas can’t play Alabama just as well the Hogs did last year in a seven-point loss on the road.
Why can’t the Razorbacks flip that on its head? The game is at their home and this year’s team – in most regards – is better than last year’s team that won nine games. They’re not perfect (the pass defense still needs work), but Arkansas isn’t just looking to play that spoiler role on Saturday.
These Razorbacks can win the whole darn thing.
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