Do or Die for the Arkansas Razorbacks

So I have to admit (and I'm most certainly not the only one) that I was left with a pretty bad taste in my mouth after the Razorback game on Saturday. I know a win is a win but I was left scratching my head after the Hogs narrowly avoided disaster against an inferior opponent in the Troy Trojans. Arkansas (3-0) won the game 38-28 but they looked like they just didn't have their heads in the game after the first half. The first half really couldn't have gone much better, as the Razorbacks jumped out to a 24-0 lead and eventually led 31-7 early in the third quarter; however, from that point the Trojans outscored the Hogs 21-7. Granted, Troy is a much better football team than they get credit for (they are currently seeking their 6th straight Sun Belt Conference championship). But, there is no excuse for the Hogs allowing the game to get that close.

Even more unnerving is the fact that the Hogs' competition gets dramatically better as they enter SEC play. Next week, they head down to Tuscaloosa for a nationally televised game against the #3 Alabama Crimson Tide that could potentially have implications for not only the SEC title game, but also for the BCS National Championship. I firmly believe Arkansas has a realistic shot at winning this game but they have to play 4 full quarters of good, fundamental football.

If they manage to get by Alabama, they then have to travel to Arlington, TX the very next week for what would be a battle between 2 of the top 10 teams in the country: Arkansas vs. #8 Texas A&M. While this is another winnable game, it just goes to show you that the Arkansas coaching staff have their work cut out for them in getting this team prepared to go through one of the toughest schedules in all of college football. Can the Hogs run the table and make it to the BCS Title game this year? As a firm supporter in the team, I'm inclined to say yes. They have the talent to do it but can they consistently rise to meet the level of talent in the SEC? The only thing clear in this whole situation is that if Arkansas is to make a run at the national championship, it starts now. It truly is do or die for the Razorbacks.

                                                     Above: Arkansas QB Tyler Wilson
                                                     scrambles to find a receiver vs. Troy.