Did Arkansas Razorbacks Head Coach Bret Bielema Instigate Flag vs Alabama?
By Cory Thone
Video has surfaced on Twitter showing the altercation on the sideline that led to a 15 yard personal foul penalty on Alabama during the Razorbacks game on Saturday. The penalty put Arkansas in the best field position they would have all game, and led to their first touchdown. Here is the video.
It’s not a very flattering video for Coach Bielema. We’ve talked before on Razorbackers about how unjust and silly a lot of the hate that Bielema gets from across the country is. This video is not one of those unjust or silly situations. I have no problem with Bret Bielema running in between two players who are jawing back and forth and splitting them up. But it seems that Bielema may have instigated Alabama tackle Cam Robinson in the process.
As Bielema is breaking up the players, it appears that Robinson and Bielema exchange words. We don’t know what was said, which could influence how this video is perceived. But truth be told, it won’t change how a lot of people feel about Bielema’s actions after the exchange of words.
More from Razorbackers
- Nike’s latest Arkansas Razorbacks shoes are a must-have
- Believe it or not, Arkansas football has never played these FBS teams
- Arkansas vs UConn Prediction and $1,000 BetMGM Promo
- Arkansas vs. UConn, NCAA Tournament Sweet 16: How to watch, odds, predictions
- When was the last time Arkansas won the NCAA Tournament? (Odds to win March Madness)
Some have said it looks like Bielema fakes being shoved, but in my opinion, it looks like he flinches backwards from Robinson. It looks like the Alabama lineman turns to Bielema, and he falls backwards like he’s ducking a punch. Obviously a punch wasn’t even close to thrown. Which makes this less of an NBA flop and more of a…well…I really don’t know. What did Robinson say? What did Bielema say? The ref was right there, maybe the flag came from something Robinson said. It doesn’t matter, especially not in the eyes of college football twitter.
My advice to Bret is to be prepared to answer questions about this during his press conference today. And my advice to Razorbacks fans on social media is to just try and avoid it. Because it’s already bad on there, and the west coast hasn’t even woke up yet. Thank goodness the upcoming game on Saturday will take attention away from this…oh wait. Bye week.
Strap in folks, cause it’s time for some hot takes.