Razorbacks can use week off to prepare for onslaught
Off the foul Pohl
Bart Pohlman
Issue date: 9/12/08 Section: Sports
Okay, you can stop worrying about how Arkansas will perform against Texas.
Or, for two weeks, at least.
Which is a good thing, really.
No, trust me, it is.
The Razorbacks will need all the practice and preparation they can get before embarking on the toughest four-game stretch in program history.
The Hogs host No. 11 Alabama before heading to Austin for the make-up game with No. 8 Texas. Arkansas returns home for a date with No. 4 Florida and then travels to No. 9 Auburn.
For those of you who don't like math, that's four games against top-11 teams in a row.
Only once before has Arkansas taken on three top-10 teams in consecutive fashion. That was in 2006, when the Hogs finished the season against No. 9 LSU, took on No. 4 Florida in the SEC Championship game and went bowling against No. 6 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl.
Two of those games were postseason games, however, not regular-season contests as these are.
Talk about a rude welcome for first-year head coach Bobby Petrino.
In his 10 seasons as "Head Hog," Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt never faced four top-11 teams during the course of a regular season.
Petrino and the Hogs play four top-11 teams in a row.
Don't try to fool yourself, it's going to be a tough stretch, and the Hogs have plenty of room to improve before it begins.
In Arkansas' first two games, the Razorbacks have struggled in several different areas.
Despite accumulating plenty of yards, the Hogs have struggled to score points. In the first two games of the season, Arkansas has totaled 900 yards of offense, compared to the 603 total yards gained by the opposition. Yet the Razorbacks have won their two games by a mere five points.
Long drives mean nothing unless you put the ball into the end zone.
Another area of concern has been catching the ball. It's plagued some of the wide receivers and defensive backs, and the coaching staff needs to find a remedy to the problem.
In order to complete long, sustaining drives and convert third downs, the Hog receivers need to catch the ball.
In order to stop long, sustaining drives and end opponent possessions, the Hogs defensive backs need to catch the ball.
At times, the offensive line has been less than perfect. The line has already given up eight sacks this year. Casey Dick can only be effective if he has time to throw the football.
Luckily, the Razorbacks have another week to find remedies to some of these problems.
Unfortunately, the competition will only get tougher.
Bart Pohlman is the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Friday.
Or, for two weeks, at least.
Which is a good thing, really.
No, trust me, it is.
The Razorbacks will need all the practice and preparation they can get before embarking on the toughest four-game stretch in program history.
The Hogs host No. 11 Alabama before heading to Austin for the make-up game with No. 8 Texas. Arkansas returns home for a date with No. 4 Florida and then travels to No. 9 Auburn.
For those of you who don't like math, that's four games against top-11 teams in a row.
Only once before has Arkansas taken on three top-10 teams in consecutive fashion. That was in 2006, when the Hogs finished the season against No. 9 LSU, took on No. 4 Florida in the SEC Championship game and went bowling against No. 6 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl.
Two of those games were postseason games, however, not regular-season contests as these are.
Talk about a rude welcome for first-year head coach Bobby Petrino.
In his 10 seasons as "Head Hog," Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt never faced four top-11 teams during the course of a regular season.
Petrino and the Hogs play four top-11 teams in a row.
Don't try to fool yourself, it's going to be a tough stretch, and the Hogs have plenty of room to improve before it begins.
In Arkansas' first two games, the Razorbacks have struggled in several different areas.
Despite accumulating plenty of yards, the Hogs have struggled to score points. In the first two games of the season, Arkansas has totaled 900 yards of offense, compared to the 603 total yards gained by the opposition. Yet the Razorbacks have won their two games by a mere five points.
Long drives mean nothing unless you put the ball into the end zone.
Another area of concern has been catching the ball. It's plagued some of the wide receivers and defensive backs, and the coaching staff needs to find a remedy to the problem.
In order to complete long, sustaining drives and convert third downs, the Hog receivers need to catch the ball.
In order to stop long, sustaining drives and end opponent possessions, the Hogs defensive backs need to catch the ball.
At times, the offensive line has been less than perfect. The line has already given up eight sacks this year. Casey Dick can only be effective if he has time to throw the football.
Luckily, the Razorbacks have another week to find remedies to some of these problems.
Unfortunately, the competition will only get tougher.
Bart Pohlman is the sports editor of The Arkansas Traveler. His column appears every Friday.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
arizona life insurance
posted 9/14/08 @ 11:05 AM CST
This may be the toughest schedule or stretch in all of college football. But Coach Petrino probably likes that. You have to beat good teams to grow the program. (Continued…)
Greektomemom
posted 9/17/08 @ 10:43 AM CST
Hey Hogs -
Remember Reel 2 Real's song, "I like to Move It Move It"? As long as you guys are the only ones Moving It, you will dominate these upcoming games. (Continued…)
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