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Anonymous SEC coaches open up about Sam Pittman, Arkansas football in 2024

By Austin Farmer

Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman prior to the game against the FIU Panthers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Sam Pittman prior to the game against the FIU Panthers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports / Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
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Arkansas's 2024 ceiling

On the other hand, the rest of the quotes about Arkansas were slightly out of touch. One coach suggested that if Petrino can implement his offense and mold Boise State transfer Taylen Green the way he wants, Arkansas "has a chance" to go 6-6.

"If Petrino can get [quarterback] Taylen Green ready, they might have a shot at a .500 year, but they have a shaky situation with their offensive line losses in the spring. Is .500 enough to keep Sam?"

Let's be clear, a .500 record with this Arkansas team should be the bare minimum. Last season, Arkansas lost five 1-possession games, including away games against No. 12 LSU (with the future Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels), No. 9 Ole Miss, and No. 5 Alabama. And all that happened with one of the worst OC hires in recent Arkansas history. Sure, Arkansas lost to Auburn and Missouri by over 30 points, but by then, anyone with eyes could see the team had let go of the rope.

The questions about Green and Petrino meshing are appropriate. Anytime there's a change at OC or quarterback, there's bound to be growing pains, especially when there are changes at both. But the comment about the offensive line is completely out of touch with reality. Last season's OL play was horrendous.

How much of it was scheme-related or chemistry-related will probably never be known, but the problems could be seen as early as the 2023 spring game. The defensive line destroyed the OL. At the time, everyone was trying to decide if it was great DL play or bad OL play, but by the end of the season, we all found out.

With nearly the same DL as last year, Arkansas's OL was much better compared to last season. And there's no question whether or not this year's OL has chemistry.

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