2018 Michigan Wolverines vs Arkansas Razorbacks Matchup Has Been Canceled
After a home and home series between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Michigan Wolverines was set up in 2012, the future Big 10/SEC matchup is no more.
Back in November of 2012 the Michigan Wolverines and the Arkansas Razorbacks struck a deal for a home-and-home series that would take place during the 2018 and 2019 football seasons. But four years later, that matchup has been thrown in the trash.
But Hog fans, Michigan isn’t the only team to blame for this loss. The only reason Michigan called the series quits and paid Arkansas the hefty $2 million buyout is so they could renew their rivalry with the Notre Dame Fighting Freaking Irish. A 31-0 blowout from the Irish and personality clashes between then-Michigan coach Brady Hoke and Brian Kelly pushed their annual meetings into retirement.
After Michigan’s hiring of former San Francisco 49ers HC/Wolverine QB Jim Harbaugh, the series was brought back to the table. Leaving Arkansas with a non-conference games to fill in the 2018 & 2019 seasons.
Michigan cancels Arkansas series to make room for ND and moved Rutgers game in 2019 from 10-26 to 9-28-19
— angelique (@chengelis) July 7, 2016
Michigan canceled the home and home with Arkansas... But SEC teams are the ones that won't do home and homes 🐸☕️
— Harvey Updyke (@Harveyrolltide) July 7, 2016
Michigan pays $2 million to cancel the planned home-and-home football series with Arkansas. 2 million. Scared of the rising Hogs!! #WooPig
— Woo Pig Dustino (@WooPigDustino) July 7, 2016
Arkansas HC Bret Bielema, who is currently vacationing on the River Thames, told the Chicago Tribune he was “Definitely disappointed. It was going to be an opportunity to play one of my favorite teams from the Big Ten.”
I’m right there with you, Bret. Anytime we can get a, no pun intended, BIG non-conference matchup is huge. With the TCU Horned Frogs series that begins next season and the possible games with OU beginning in 2020, the Hogs had themselves a fun-filled schedule. But now we have two blank spaces, all thanks to the freaking Wolverines.
They are a sister state no more.
must read: Arkansas Football: July Predictions
Trash talk all you want, Hoggians. There isn’t anything that will bring the Wolvs back, but we can sure give them crap about it. If you’re one of those people who calls people chicken and then makes rapid chicken noises, do it in the direction of the state of Michigan. If you’re one of those people who raids message boards, by all means go ahead and tell them they don’t have the Harbaughlls to play us.
Woo Pig.