A rivalry renewed
One of the things that make college sports so entertaining is the rivalries. It doesn't matter who's the better team or the implications of the game, any team can win.
This is the first serious conference rivalry game Arkansas has played since moving to the SEC. It doesn't matter that Arkansas hasn't played well or that Texas is the No. 3 team in the country; all Razorbacks — the team and fans alike — should get up for this game. They certainly did in 2021 after a historically bad stretch for Arkansas. Why wouldn't they do it now when the rivalry is starting anew?
Speaking about that 2021 game, the fans were 100 percent a reason the Hogs dominated the match. When Raheim Sanders scored his touchdown in the third quarter, it was one of the loudest the stadium has ever been. When the Longhorns take the field Saturday, they can expect the same environment.
But in any good rivalry, it takes two to tango. Luckily for Arkansas, the Longhorns seemed to have taken the rivalry in stride.
Arkansas hates Texas more than themselves?
— Inside Arkansas (@InsideArkansas) November 11, 2024
Texas HC Steve Sarkisian feels that the hatred Razorback fans have for the Longhorns is intense. pic.twitter.com/LnnUPpWVyI
LSU and Arkansas have been "rivals," but the Tigers don't show up like it is. The emotions accompanying a rivalry game can be just as detrimental to the "better" team as beneficial to the "lesser" team. Simply put, emotions can cause teams to do things they don't normally do. For the teams with not a lot to lose, it's a great way to surprise the opponent. However, for the other team, the gamble is hardly worth it.