What is the Problem with the Razorbacks?
By Cory Thone
I’m not in the right mental state of mind to do an full recap and analysis of the Texas A&M game. The Arkansas Razorbacks lost to the Aggies 28-21 in overtime, despite holding a lead until the final minutes of the 4th quarter. The Razorbacks then gave up a 2 point conversion that tied the game, and were unable to get into field goal range with their final possession thanks to a fumble. Then overtime happened. A&M runs 2 plays and scores, and the Hogs bumble their way backwards thanks to an impressive number of penalties and can’t convert on fourth down.
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Before I go any further, I want to commend the team and the coaches for coming out and smacking A&M in the mouth tonight. They gave the Aggies all they could handle, and I’m so damn proud that this team has rallied together and refused to go gentle into that good night. All that being said…
What is going on?! The Arkansas Razorbacks are not the kind of team that should lose games because of penalties and silly mistakes. They are already injury ridden and playing behind the 8 ball due to losses. How many penalties? How many missed opportunities? What can we do to fix these mental errors?
Again, I’m not here for an analysis. I’ll do that tomorrow when I’m in a better state of mind. But I feel like I need to get a few things off my chest, and luckily for me, I have this wonderful website that I can do it on.
First off, what the hell was that playcalling late in the game? The Hogs were dominant on the ground, gashing A&M for yards all night long. For example, in overtime, facing a 3rd and 4, the Razorbacks try and throw the ball. Why? You’re down a touchdown! This is 4 down territory! You run that ball, then you run it again.
The decision to throw on 3rd down led to Brandon Allen short arming Jeremy Sprinkle AGAIN. We here at Razorbackers have defended Brandon Allen all season long, but once again he fudged it in the clutch. Twice, actually. His fumble late in the game set up for a game winning field goal by A&M, but they didn’t want to win it that way. How kind of them.
Sep 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) throws in the pocket against the Texas A&M Aggies at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
However, it’s not time to bench Allen yet. Honestly, if the Hogs would have committed an unimaginable amount of penalties, then maybe Allen could have led us into the end zone a few more times earlier in the game. Allen will be the lightning rod of hate for this team, but he’s not the only problem, even when it comes to that “clutch” factor. The Hogs jumped offsides on more than one occasion in big moments. The offensive line has improved game by game, but these mental mistakes have got to stop. Allen has shown he can get us in a position to win the game, but we have to go win it. There’s no excuse for the holds and motion penalties that have plagued the Hogs.
I don’t even want to get started on the defense. I talked earlier this week about how losing 7 starters was too much to recover from. Dre Greenlaw, a true freshman at linebacker, was leading the team in tackles at one point in the 3rd quarter. I’m not sure if he finished the game that way. The only bright spot tonight on defense was our d-line, who finally got into the backfield and caused some trouble for A&M. The defense was consistent as always, but for the first time this year, they gave up big plays. Lots of big plays. And the secondary got burned on multiple occasions.
Basically, this season is heartbreaking. The Hogs haven’t gotten their ass kicked in any game, despite what that Abercrombie model in Lubbock says. The Razorbacks will have some shots at wins, including next week against an equally beleaguered Tennessee Volunteer team on the road.
I said earlier today in my keys to victory article that the Hogs have never given up on Bielema, and they proved that today. They played balls out. If we’re gonna lose, I’d rather lose going 100% like that instead of rolling over. If Bret can get the team fired up, they have a real shot at a nice road win against the Volunteers next week.
But that’s next week. It’s not my job to be optimistic. It’s my job to cover this team’s season. And this team is now 1-3, and staring at a bowl-less season. It hurts. But there’s brighter days ahead.
I hope.
Edit: The Hogs had 11 penalties for 93 yards. Ridiculous.