10 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.25.2024
BOUNCE BACK NEW-LOOK RAZORBACKS REVAMP ROSTER AFTER 4-8 DEBACLE IN 2023
ETHAN WESTERMAN
HAWGS SPORTS NETWORK
FAYETTEVILLE— It’ s remarkable the difference two years can make in college football.
Following a 34-17 victory over Missouri on Nov. 26, 2021, an image of Arkansas coach Sam Pittman sitting on a throne remained on the Razorback Stadium video board for hours.
Legs crossed and surrounded by a trio of rivalry-game trophies, Pittman was portrayed as royalty. In his second year at the helm, he had orchestrated one of the more unbelievable turnarounds in recent SEC history.
Just two years prior, the Razorbacks’ final game in the stadium was a 45-19 thumping at the hands of Western Kentucky. Apathy filled the air of an empty stadium.
Chad Morris, the former Arkansas coach who went 4-18 with the Razorbacks, was fired that evening.
It would have been hard to imagine two years later Arkansas would finish a season 9-4 and third in the SEC West. But under Pittman, a long-time offensive line coach whose hire was criticized heavily at the time, the Razorbacks did just that.
And in the same fashion, Pittman turned the program around in two years, the ensuing two years have been full-circle regression.
In last season’ s Battle Line Rivalry, Arkansas was pummeled by Missouri 48-14. The home stands were empty by the third
Jaylon Braxton | Arkansas Defensive Back File Photo quarter, aside from a contingent wearing black and gold.
For the first time since 2019, an all-toofamiliar feeling was in the air. Apathy had completed its comeback tour.
In stark difference from two years prior, Pittman was viewed as anything but royalty. Pittman’ s throne was nowhere to be found. In its place a scorching hot seat.
Some called for him to receive the same fate that night as Morris did in 2019. It did not happen. Arkansas is trusting Pittman to have his own comeback tour in 2024.
Entering his fifth season, Pittman said“ what’ s fair is fair” regarding his job security. He understands the responsibility to get the program back on track.
“ I’ m popular now, the wrong way,” Pittman said at SEC Media Days.“ I’ d say I’ m hot. I’ m at the top of those [ hot seat ] lists. If you’ re going to get patted on the back, you’ re going to get punched in the gut.”
During his speech, Pittman reminded those in attendance he has experience leading a quick turnaround. If he has done it once, he said he can do it again.
“ If we can take 4-20 to 9-4, we can deal with 4-8, too,” Pittman said,“ and that’ s what we’ re going to do. I’ m very excited about the Arkansas Razorbacks.”
All it took was one offseason hire to knock some apathy out of an uninterested fanbase.
Bobby Petrino, the former Arkansas head coach who led the Razorbacks to a 34-17 record from 2008-11 before he was fired for misconduct, was hired as offensive
Pioneer-Era Village Nature Trail Facility Rentals Kids Corner Family Fun Map Har-Ber Village Mining Company
Jeff Wolfe
• Mercury / Mercruiser Dealer
• 28 + Years Experience
717 N Hwy 62 • Rogers, AR 479-636-2628 • www. waypointmarinear. com
4404 W 20th St, Grove, Oklahoma 74344 918-786-6446 info @ har-bervillage. com
www. har-bervillage. com
Living Pioneer Era History!