Is this Bielema's Do or Die Season?

[Hogwild]

Why is it going to be difficult to reach .500 ball?  And are you talking about in conference or overall record? 

Here's the schedule for next season.  I see four non conference we should win, three conference games I think we will walk in, two that are going to be tough but definitely winnable, one that I have no idea because they've been so all over the board, 1 that we will probably lose but we usually give them a great game, and only one that I might not even watch...

Sept. 2 – FLORIDA A&M (Little Rock, Ark.)
Sept. 9 – TCU
Sept. 16 – Open Date
Sept. 23 – vs. Texas A&M* (Arlington, Texas)
Sept. 30 – NEW MEXICO STATE
Oct. 7 – at South Carolina*
Oct. 14 – at Alabama*
Oct. 21 – AUBURN*
Oct. 28 – at Ole Miss*
Nov. 4 – COASTAL CAROLINA
Nov. 11 – at LSU*
Nov. 18 – MISSISSIPPI STATE*
Nov. 25 – MISSOURI*

who are the three conference opponents that we  "will walk in"?   

As of right now, I don't think we would be the favorite in three SEC games this year. The two games that we would most likely be the favorite are the final two games of the season, and a lot can happen between now and then.

[hogcard1964]

He will win 8 games or 7 with a nice Bama upset or something and get a mega contract extension. Jeff Long will make it happen.

He won't beat Bama until Saban moves along.  Even then he probably won't.  Not to mention, he'll be gone long before that.

When we were in the SWC we were Texas' whipping boys.  Now that we're in the SEC we're Bama's, Auburn's Florida's Georgia's, Kentucky's, Tennessee's, Mizzou's and LSU's butt boys.

[HF#1]

He has to win 6 SEC games.

[Seebs]

Each year is for almost every coach. If you can fire Les Miles and the hammerhead at Auburn just a few years after National Championships, then you can fire anybody.

NO bowl next year would get CBB fired - anything more he should be fine. 

[The OTR]

If he doesn't get it done this year should we go a different direction.  I think worse than 7-5 or worse and we need a new coach.

Nope

Mike got six seasons

Bret gets six

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Wait a minute.... oh the dayum irony.....  So mike should get more years but Bielema should have his fate decided after this upcoming season?

So you give Mike more time, in a sport that was in a better spot when he showed up, is perceived to be a nationally weaker conference, a sport that he has turned his roster over more than once completely, had a completely disastrous recruiting season, but Mike gets and deserves more time.  Man, this world really does have some crazies.

Yeah, MA was a bad hire from day one.  BB was not.  MA needs to go yesterday.  Jury still out on BB.

Anyone who would give MA passes at this point, but not BB, seems completely crazy to me.

[Pork Twain]

It's going to be very difficult to reach .500 ball this season. That said, his buyout is still too high and we've seen in recent years how tough it is for even storied SEC programs to hire a quality replacement. He'll be here through at least 2018.

Not sure what makes you think that.  In which area on this team do you believe we will regress?  Will it be our 2nd year QB and RBs?  Our OL that will finally have depth and is not thrown together like last year?  Our D that might actually have a competent leader?

[Bubba's Bruisers]

He has to win 6 SEC games.

To survive another season?

[Bubba's Bruisers]

Each year is for almost every coach. If you can fire Les Miles and the hammerhead at Auburn just a few years after National Championships, then you can fire anybody.

NO bowl next year would get CBB fired - anything more he should be fine. 

NM

[hawganatic]

who are the three conference opponents that we  "will walk in"?   

As of right now, I don't think we would be the favorite in three SEC games this year. The two games that we would most likely be the favorite are the final two games of the season, and a lot can happen between now and then.

I think we walk in Missouri and the two Mississippi schools.  Probably South Carolina also like we did FL last season.

Don't really care what games we are favored in.  Pretty sure we weren't favored against FL last season and we did pretty good that game.

[go hogues]

Not sure what makes you think that.  In which area on this team do you believe we will regress?  Will it be our 2nd year QB and RBs?  Our OL that will finally have depth and is not thrown together like last year?  Our D that might actually have a competent leader?

I think we'll regress at WR. As good as Brandon Martin will likely be, it's hard for me to believe he'll be as clutch as Morgan and Hatcher. They kept us alive several times last season. Overall, offense does not regress much, though.

It's just hard for me to believe our defense will be improved enough to provide the kind of optimism it would take to say we win more than six games against that schedule.

Regardless, Bielema won't be going anywhere.

[#1Fan]

Who cares about wins and losses.  If the team GPA is over 3.2, he'll get another contract extension.

[ChitownHawg]

He will win 8 games or 7 with a nice Bama upset or something and get a mega contract extension. Jeff Long will make it happen.

Stand back! This is going to catch some flack. 

[ricepig]

Who cares about wins and losses.  If the team GPA is over 3.2, he'll get another contract extension.

Don't forget extending the buyout too!

[ChitownHawg]

I think we'll regress at WR. As good as Brandon Martin will likely be, it's hard for me to believe he'll be as clutch as Morgan and Hatcher. They kept us alive several times last season. Overall, offense does not regress much, though.

It's just hard for me to believe our defense will be improved enough to provide the kind of optimism it would take to say we win more than six games against that schedule.

Regardless, Bielema won't be going anywhere.

HH was clutch two years ago and, as you say, we had two last year. I say one or two will step up in the WR group.

[hawganatic]

I think we'll regress at WR. As good as Brandon Martin will likely be, it's hard for me to believe he'll be as clutch as Morgan and Hatcher. They kept us alive several times last season. Overall, offense does not regress much, though.

It's just hard for me to believe our defense will be improved enough to provide the kind of optimism it would take to say we win more than six games against that schedule.

Regardless, Bielema won't be going anywhere.

So because we might regress at one position, the entire team is going to take a step back?  Experienced O-line, possibly two great running backs, senior quarterback who was pretty damn good his junior year, and several tightends/receivers who have been on campus for at least a couple of years.   That bad defense was good for 7 wins last season, so makes absolutely no sense to have to expect improvement in it to get to six wins.

Seems like every year I see posts like this.  Somebody keying in on one specific position and expecting the entire team to take a step back because we lost players there.  Did you take any time at all to look through the roster and see what we do have coming back, instead of just focusing on what we lost?

[Youngsta71701]

Wait a minute.... oh the dayum irony.....  So mike should get more years but Bielema should have his fate decided after this upcoming season?

So you give Mike more time, in a sport that was in a better spot when he showed up, is perceived to be a nationally weaker conference, a sport that he has turned his roster over more than once completely, had a completely disastrous recruiting season, but Mike gets and deserves more time.  Man, this world really does have some crazies.

Did you not read the part where I said he does get a pass for his first year? Personally I like the guys he's recruited. And I like some of the guys he redshirted this past year. And if you were to go to jump ball you would clearly see where I don't think neither one of them should get fired. Keep going though. It makes you sound desperate to throw something in my face. I don't contradict myself. I stand where I stand but I am also willing to criticize both coaches when need be.

Just because you criticize some of the things they do doesn't mean they have to get fired.

[go hogues]

So because we might regress at one position, the entire team is going to take a step back?  Experienced O-line, possibly two great running backs, senior quarterback who was pretty damn good his junior year, and several tightends/receivers who have been on campus for at least a couple of years.   That bad defense was good for 7 wins last season, so makes absolutely no sense to have to expect improvement in it to get to six wins.

Seems like every year I see posts like this.  Somebody keying in on one specific position and expecting the entire team to take a step back because we lost players there.  Did you take any time at all to look through the roster and see what we do have coming back, instead of just focusing on what we lost?

I just don't see any area where we get markedly better and you couple that with a much tougher schedule than last year (Bama, LSU, USCE on road) and I think that saying we will struggle to stay around .500 or surpass this season is not that outlandish.

[SpaCityHawg]

Nope :razorback:

[Inhogswetrust]

He won't beat Bama until Saban moves along.  Even then he probably won't.  Not to mention, he'll be gone long before that.

When we were in the SWC we were Texas' whipping boys.  Now that we're in the SEC we're Bama's, Auburn's Florida's Georgia's, Kentucky's, Tennessee's, Mizzou's and LSU's butt boys.

I bet 99% of the people on here wonder how in the world you even call yourself a Hog fan.

[hobhog]

Nope, as in he won't be fired after this season, but it possibly signals the end is much closer.

Agree. He is still pretty dang  popular and crowds still there. I think we do well next season and make this a moot point.

[hobhog]

I bet 99% of the people on here wonder how in the world you even call yourself a Hog fan.

He has some serious misdirected anger issues. Think he is stuck in 1964?

[ErieHog]

What exactly makes a "warm seat"? The fact that he has two years remaining on his contract, in no way lessens the heat
on his already hot as hell seat I assure you. At the end of the final two years of his contract, he'll be as gone as Petrino,
Nutt, and any other coach we've ever had that got fired.

This is the major disconnect.  His seat is not 'hot as hell';  its barely even lukewarm at this point.

[Wildhog]

This is the major disconnect.  His seat is not 'hot as hell';  its barely even lukewarm at this point.

I don't even think it's lukewarm.  As long as he keeps winning around 7 games/year, he'll be here as long as he wants. 

[ChitownHawg]

I bet 99% of the people on here wonder how in the world you even call yourself a Hog fan.

He is a little bit dodgy on where he is from, but on our dearly departed Politics Board he has stated he is from Chicago. Went to school at UofA and then moved back home. Of course, he doesn't like claiming to be from up here either. He was for Trump, then Johnson, then Trump again.

It seems he has a hard time with allegiance to anything. 

[hogcard1964]

I bet 99% of the people on here wonder how in the world you even call yourself a Hog fan.

Isn't it possible to be a "hog fan" and still be able to accept the reality of our situation?  We no longer have a very competitive football program.  What you're seeing, is what we are.

As a Razorback fan, I'm kind of on cruise control these days. I just listen to the music and watch the scenery.

[gchamblee]

I dont think its his do or die season, but I do believe it is his give us something to be optimistic about season.

[DeltaBoy]

If he doesn't get it done this year should we go a different direction.  I think worse than 7-5 or worse and we need a new coach.

I doubt it with the schedule we had.

[Bubba's Bruisers]

I dont think its his do or die season, but I do believe it is his give us something to be optimistic about season.

This is exactly correct. 

[hawganatic]

I just don't see any area where we get markedly better and you couple that with a much tougher schedule than last year (Bama, LSU, USCE on road) and I think that saying we will struggle to stay around .500 or surpass this season is not that outlandish.

What was your prediction going into last season, and the season before?  I'm guessing the same "we'll struggle to get to .500" prediction you have here.  Somebody has already shown your previous predictions in this thread, and they weren't exactly positive or on the money.

If you can't see how much better our o-line is going to be with a year experience, AA having a year under his belt as the starter, and having a double threat in the backfield again, then you are seeing what you want to see.

[code red]

If he goes 6-6 it will be out of Jeff's hands.

[code red]

I don't even think it's lukewarm.  As long as he keeps winning around 7 games/year, he'll be here as long as he wants. 

So your fine with that?  Or your saying that is the way it is?  Because I think that is a load of crap.

[code red]

who are the three conference opponents that we  "will walk in"?   

As of right now, I don't think we would be the favorite in three SEC games this year. The two games that we would most likely be the favorite are the final two games of the season, and a lot can happen between now and then.

I agree I can see a 4 game stretch there were we will not be favored in any of them. Except Ole Miss...and that is on the road.  I think it is very possible CBB gets shown the door next year.  There is Jeff.  And then there is the PTB. 

[gchamblee]

What was your prediction going into last season, and the season before?  I'm guessing the same "we'll struggle to get to .500" prediction you have here.  Somebody has already shown your previous predictions in this thread, and they weren't exactly positive or on the money.

If you can't see how much better our o-line is going to be with a year experience, AA having a year under his belt as the starter, and having a double threat in the backfield again, then you are seeing what you want to see.

Not to mention the players we red shirted last year that will contribute this year.

[code red]

who are the three conference opponents that we  "will walk in"?   

As of right now, I don't think we would be the favorite in three SEC games this year. The two games that we would most likely be the favorite are the final two games of the season, and a lot can happen between now and then.

I agree I can see a 4 game stretch there were we will not be favored in any of them. Except Ole Miss...and that is on the road.  I think it is very possible CBB gets shown the door next year.  There is Jeff.  And then there is the PTB. 

Who cares about wins and losses.  If the team GPA is over 3.2, he'll get another contract extension.

I wouldn't bet on that.

[Wildhog]

So your fine with that?  Or your saying that is the way it is?  Because I think that is a load of crap.

I'm saying that's the way it is.  I hate it, too.

[ricepig]

I agree I can see a 4 game stretch there were we will not be favored in any of them. Except Ole Miss...and that is on the road.  I think it is very possible CBB gets shown the door next year.  There is Jeff.  And then there is the PTB. 

Well, the PTB will have to cough up some money.

[code red]

 If he goes 6-6 it will be out of Jeff's hands.

He will win 8 games or 7 with a nice Bama upset or something and get a mega contract extension. Jeff Long will make it happen.

Annnndddd....that would make sense...to Jeff alone.

[code red]

Well, the PTB will have to cough up some money.

And???  Its a business.  It needs to be handled as such.

[ChitownHawg]

If he goes 6-6 it will be out of Jeff's hands.

And whose hands will it be in?

[ChitownHawg]

And???  Its a business.  It needs to be handled as such.

2016 Financials

Revenue.   $66.2m
Expenses.  $30.8m
------------------------
Profit.    $35.4m

http://college-sports.pointafter.com/l/477/University-of-Arkansas-Football

It seems the business is doing just fine. Do you have anymore uninformed statements? 

[ricepig]

And???  Its a business.  It needs to be handled as such.

No doubt, but I don't see anyone ponying up $11.7M next January. It's possible if it's a terrible season, but I don't see that, either.

[Inhogswetrust]

Isn't it possible to be a "hog fan" and still be able to accept the reality of our situation?  We no longer have a very competitive football program.  What you're seeing, is what we are.

As a Razorback fan, I'm kind of on cruise control these days. I just listen to the music and watch the scenery.

So thinking we aren't competitive to the level you and all fans would like right now is a rational or good reason to constantly dog the whole program like you do? THAT's simply wrong. No other way to put it.

[Inhogswetrust]

And???  Its a business.  It needs to be handled as such.

Except each type of industry or business has unique characteristics that don't always make sense to those outside the industry even thought hey think they are experts on it.

[bythelake]

Dang, cbb may be feeling the hot seat but realistically scenarios that are probable are slim to none that he gets fired after this year..  It's puzzling to see so many on Hogville.net that cannot figure out that long structured his contract for 6 years.

We can't even enjoy a thread about the 40 mill or the #1 gpa class without the constant negative post.

I shouldn't let the neurotic negative post bother me as I certainly know that this is an open forum that allows all levels of mental and intellectual people post.

[12247]

Our Boy BB may choose not to coach football to a level that suits us but he ain't dumb.  He knows that next season is his best chance to give ole Jeffy a reason to extend that contract for 2 or 3 more years.  In 2018, he will break in another QB who will not have a pinch of the experience he should have and that will likely mean a dip in wins so next year is his year to coach enough to reach 9 total wins for the season.  That will buy him a great extension, you know, so he can continue to bring in those great recruiting classes or otherwise, they just want come not knowing if he will be here cause he is such a draw for  the big time players.  By the end of next season,  BB will be needing to feed 3 mouths too so that will clue Jeff in that a huge raise is in order so the Kid want have to suffer along with a Dad just making 4mil plus annually.

[bythelake]

12247,  why all the angst for Jeff long? 

[Hoggish1]

Hardly. 

[onebadrubi]

Did you not read the part where I said he does get a pass for his first year? Personally I like the guys he's recruited. And I like some of the guys he redshirted this past year. And if you were to go to jump ball you would clearly see where I don't think neither one of them should get fired. Keep going though. It makes you sound desperate to throw something in my face. I don't contradict myself. I stand where I stand but I am also willing to criticize both coaches when need be.

Just because you criticize some of the things they do doesn't mean they have to get fired.

Lol my quote of you was you saying should be to someone saying we should go a different direction. Comprehend much?  The fact you would quote someone saying we should go a different direction and say should be a do or die season but turn to jump ball and say mike should NOT be in any do or die situations is just lunacy

I'm not desperate for anything. Just calling out the crazies here, there are many.

[Youngsta71701]

I just don't see any area where we get markedly better and you couple that with a much tougher schedule than last year (Bama, LSU, USCE on road) and I think that saying we will struggle to stay around .500 or surpass this season is not that outlandish.

Alabama and LSWho would be favorite to be us rather we played them at home or on the road. If you look at it like that playing them on the road might be better and play all the winnable games at home. We've beaten LSWho on the road numerous times but if you really think we have a chance at beating Alabama I would take my chances in Fayetteville.