Get it out of your head and off your lips

[31to6]

You do realize the TCU game was a 14-7 game in the 4th Quarter until an offensive turnover and a kickoff receiving team turnover gave them their final 2 TDs don't you?? That was a game the Hogs should have won.

Yes. But we snagged a couple turnovers ourselves and were +1 in the turnover column.

The difference is that our fumble resulted in 7 points for them whereas we didn't cash ours in.

[hogcard1964]

You do realize the TCU game was a 14-7 game in the 4th Quarter until an offensive turnover and a kickoff receiving team turnover gave them their final 2 TDs don't you?? That was a game the Hogs should have won.

One of many games Butters has pooped the bed in.

[GuvHog]

I love optimism but I love reality more.  The Hogs are not winning 6 games!  Auburn will steam roll us, we’ll beat Coastal, LSU is to big, too fast, and too strong;  that’s a loss, Ole Miss has too much O and our D is toilet paper soft;  loss, Miss St.  is too disciplined and has a great QB; loss, and then there’s Mizzou, one word, Offense=lose!  So I see 1 more win, 2 maybe which leaves us, best case= 4-8.

IMO how many of the remaining games the Hogs win will depend on how long Bielema keeps starting Kelley.

[East Clintwood]

IMO how many of the remaining games the Hogs win will depend on how long Bielema keeps starting Kelley.

Kelly doesn't block and he doesn't play on defense or on special teams.

[WilsonHog]

First, I have no feelings one way or the other about Long.  He seems to do a decent job at managing the business that is Razorback athletics.  Second, I have a great deal of respect for you, Wilson, and Oklahawg.  You both bring a wealth of information and well-considered posts to this site.  I just need some clarification on whether or not the people in charge are committed to winning in the SEC?  Because if they are not, we are in the wrong division and the wrong conference.

I think the answer depends on your definition of the word "commitment."

Our facilities work indicates we are committed to winning.

The salaries we pay our coaches indicates we are committed to winning.

Long's Hiring of Bret Bielema, a successful coach from a P5 conference, indicated we were committed to winning.

However, the termination of Petrino indicated that the perception of our football program, as a part of our larger University system, was more important than winning. Our commitment does not extend that far.

I also believe that our commitment to winning does not approach doing the kinds of things that have gotten Ole Miss and Louisville, among others, in trouble. Our commitment does not extend to knowingly committing NCAA violations, even if our opponents are.

As an alumnus, I endorse that philosophy.

[GuvHog]

Kelly doesn't block and he doesn't play on defense or on special teams.

True but his presence at QB makes the offense a whole lot better which will allow them to keep the defense off of the field as much as possible.

[BoogaHog]

Thanks for the mention. For others:

The last major hire at UA was Joseph Steinmetz as Chancellor. He came to UA from tOSU. There were two candidates that were more familiar to UA that were looked past in favor of Steinmetz. There is not a single BOT who is a "football person" and maybe not even any who are "big" into athletics. That is how BOTs typically work.

Steinmetz is here to keep UA into the top tier Carnegie Research Institutions. It is an elite list, 115 or so in number: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_research_universities_in_the_United_States

The next challenge for Steinmetz (might be a 20 year project) is to get UA into the AAU top universities list: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_American_Universities

The only SEC members are Florida, Missouri, and Vanderbilt. The entire B1G are members except for a recent departing school, Nebraska. That is the culture Steinmetz came from.

Given the corporate resources, diversity of students courtesy of the aggressive out-of-state recruiting of students, and overall academic culture at UA, this is not unreasonable. In light of that perceived goal, the particulars of wins/losses by the football team are obviously secondary. The other things we note about Long - advocates tout them, cynics decry them - fit this model.

Lost on too many fans, especially fans who are not a part of a major university culture at some point in their life, is the notion that institutional narratives are written over decades, if not centuries, and day-to-day or annual shifts are looked past in favor of longer term trends. The SEC era for UA football has not been kind, but it has coincided with a tremendous growth in the UA as a university, a substantial increase in academic reputation/respect, and we have seen a number of sports enjoy success.

In sports, a decade is an eternity. To a university, it is a blink of the eyes.

Long will be here until he retires, if he chooses. He will run the athletic department as he has in the past - discreetly, of course, with appropriate levels of communication with the BOT about what is happening with the various programs (and their coaching hires). Long has never hired without the behind-the-scenes knowledge of the BOT. The contracts are similarly vetted. "Personnel discussions" are legally kept private and fans will not know most of the details.

If you survey P5 schools, most will view how Long runs things quite favorably. Long has tremendous respect and clout from these peer institutions. The details of UA sports are far in the background of these conclusions. Not surprisingly, the details are what fans see, who also fail to see or understand the respect.

Or, in shorter words borrowed from Wilson: Long shares the philosophy (of the role of athletics in higher education) of the upper administration and BOT. That makes him very unlikely to leave, or receive undo oversight (dare I say, meddling?) on things even as significant as the hiring/firing of a football coach.

We should expect and demand both AAU status as well as 7-8 football wins minimum.  We must be winners academically and athletically with Razorback integrity.  Something that was here before and after Jeff Long arrived.  Has it been rough lately?  Yes.  Is change coming? Yes.  Does Vice Chancellor Long do a good job?  Fairly solid.  Should he be more aware of the Razorback culture and temper his statements and their timing?  Yes.  Dr. Steinmetz is a cordial and competent leader who WILL get us where we need to go academically.  The next hire will be Jeff Long's "critical mass" moment.  I hope he takes inventory of the situation, listens to those passionate about the Razorbacks, and hires accordingly.  I really want him to succeed (he is a decent gentleman), but much more importantly; I want my University to succeed.

[ricepig]

We should expect and demand both AAU status as well as 7-8 football wins minimum.  We must be winners academically and athletically with Razorback integrity.  Something that was here before and after Jeff Long arrived.  Has it been rough lately?  Yes.  Is change coming? Yes.  Does Vice Chancellor Long do a good job?  Fairly solid.  Should he be more aware of the Razorback culture and temper his statements and their timing?  Yes.  Dr. Steinmetz is a cordial and competent leader who WILL get us where we need to go academically.  The next hire will be Jeff Long's "critical mass" moment.  I hope he takes inventory of the situation, listens to those passionate about the Razorbacks, and hires accordingly.  I really want him to succeed (he is a decent gentleman), but much more importantly; I want my University to succeed.

Way too level headed approach there buddy, I'm afraid most of HV will want Sir Brad to escort you to the pit of misery.......I agree 100%, hopefully it will all work out for us.

[hawgon]

I don't want to cheat.  Or at least I don't want to cheat out of proportion to what we always have...and we have.  I just want to jettison the dead weight and to get rid of underperformed once it becomes clear that is what they are.  Five years is long enough.  Time to go in a different direction.

[Porked Tongue]

I see more people bemoan people who supposedly are "poor Arky" than I do people who actually post that thought process.

It seems more of a case of people thinking people should be as angry as they are about things.  I'll take my viewpoint as mine and don't need to follow the lead of someone who just can't stand someone that wants to enjoy things in the moment best as possible.

Far too many folks seem to need company in their misery.

It is possible to support in the moment, enjoy what I can and possible be disappointed without it killing my week.

[Porked Tongue]

I'm fine with Long.

BB I'm on the fence. It will take care of itself in due time.

[hawgon]

If you're not angry about 10-24 in the SEC or whatever is, you're just not an Arkansas fan.  I don't know what you are, but you don't care enough to be called a fan.

[ricepig]

I'm fine with Long.

BB I'm on the fence. It will take care of itself in due time.

Correct, the next 6 weeks will determine the ending.

[ricepig]

If you're not angry about 10-24 in the SEC or whatever is, you're just not an Arkansas fan.  I don't know what you are, but you don't care enough to be called a fan.

What good does it do for the average fan to be angry? Has your pizzy mood for the past 5 years made you feel better?  It hasn't exacted any changes, has it?

[hawgon]

What good does it do for the average fan to be angry? Has your pizzy mood for the past 5 years made you feel better?  It hasn't exacted any changes, has it?

And what enjoyment have you gotten by pretending to be a big shot and toeing the company line for as long as you have?  Everyone has their thing.  Some of us are Razorback fans.

[Porked Tongue]

If you're not angry about 10-24 in the SEC or whatever is, you're just not an Arkansas fan.  I don't know what you are, but you don't care enough to be called a fan.

I see your reversal philosophy and will raise you with a louder Go Hogs Go cheer on Sat.

[ricepig]

And what enjoyment have you gotten by pretending to be a big shot and toeing the company line for as long as you have?  Everyone has their thing.  Some of us are Razorback fans.

I suppose I pretend about as much as you do......

[hawgon]

I suppose I pretend about as much as you do......

A bit more I think...

[hawgon]

I see your reversal philosophy and will raise you with a louder Go Hogs Go cheer on Sat.

Meh...endorse suckitude if it makes you feel better.

[ricepig]

A bit more I think...

I wouldn't.....

[hawgon]

I wouldn't.....

You certainly don't...

[Porked Tongue]

Meh...endorse suckitude if it makes you feel better.

Unphased.

I will be there to support and enjoy myself.  If a win happens, I'll be there for the euphoria.  If a loss occurs, I'll hustle home to beat the rain. 

Now, what I do get is people that are disgusted, sick, mad and tired of it.  Certainly reasons to feel like that.

What I don't get?  People like that who believe it's necessary to inflict their misery on others.  No one is trying to talk them into going or changing their mind.

[hawgon]

Unphased.

I will be there to support and enjoy myself.  If a win happens, I'll be there for the euphoria.  If a loss occurs, I'll hustle home to beat the rain. 

Now, what I do get is people that are disgusted, sick, mad and tired of it.  Certainly reasons to feel like that.

What I don't get?  People like that who believe it's necessary to inflict their misery on others.  No one is trying to talk them into going or changing their mind.

So, I'm inflicting my "misery" on you, yet you started the thread telling us we were stupid?  Got it.

[Porked Tongue]

So, I'm inflicting my "misery" on you, yet you started the thread telling us we were stupid?  Got it.

Have a great day hawgon. 

[WilsonHog]

If you're not angry about 10-24 in the SEC or whatever is, you're just not an Arkansas fan.  I don't know what you are, but you don't care enough to be called a fan.

"Angry?" That is a destructive emotion to have. I reserve it for those things that (1) directly impact my life or the life of someone I love and (2) that I can do sometimes about. The outcome of a game fits neither.

Do I think it's time for Bret to go? Yes.

But if the AD does not agree with me, it won't change the level of my RF contribution or my purchase of season tickets. He's running the program, not me.

[Hogs-n-Roses]

Unphased.

I will be there to support and enjoy myself.  If a win happens, I'll be there for the euphoria.  If a loss occurs, I'll hustle home to beat the rain. 

Now, what I do get is people that are disgusted, sick, mad and tired of it.  Certainly reasons to feel like that.

What I don't get?  People like that who believe it's necessary to inflict their misery on others.  No one is trying to talk them into going or changing their mind.

We're not trying to inflict misery on any one we just don't see how anyone could have the point of view that the pacifists do. We're just trying be grow

[hawgon]

"Angry?" That is a destructive emotion to have. I reserve it for those things that (1) directly impact my life or the life of someone I love and (2) that I can do sometimes about. The outcome of a game fits neither.

Do I think it's time for Bret to go? Yes.

But if the AD does not agree with me, it won't change the level of my RF contribution or my purchase of season tickets. He's running the program, not me.

So, when people continue us to ask you for money and then use that money for things that you do not agree, that's fine?  Do you donate to the Democrats and then vote Republican?  Do you buy one product then use another?

[ricepig]

So, when people continue us to ask you for money and then use that money for things that you do not agree, that's fine?  Do you donate to the Democrats and then vote Republican?  Do you buy one product then use another?

They use the money for scholarships, for facilities, and academic support. Just as my political contributions, I don't agree with 100%, but I still support them.

[WilsonHog]

So, when people continue us to ask you for money and then use that money for things that you do not agree, that's fine?  Do you donate to the Democrats and then vote Republican?  Do you buy one product then use another?

I've never looked at it as UA "asking me for money." When I am donating to the RF, that entitles me to buy a season ticket and park in a certain location. When I go to the game, that ticket gains me entry to watch it. It doesn't grant me a voice, nor should it. The day an AD or coach starts listening to the whims of a bunch of fans is the day he needs to be fired.

If become disenchanted with the program, then the solution is simple. Stop giving to the RF, stop buying season tickets, stop going to games at all, stop watching on TV.

[Hogs-n-Roses]

When you give something away or donate it, it is no longer yours and they can do with it like they please. Dirty politics is an exception to the rule though.

[Hogs-n-Roses]

I’ve never looked at it as UA “asking me for money.” When I am donating to the RF, that entitles me to buy a season ticket and park in a certain location. When I go to the game, that ticket gains me entry to watch it. It doesn’t grant me a voice, nor should it. The day an AD or coach starts listening to the whims of a bunch of fans is the day he needs to be fired.

If become disenchanted with the program, then the solution is simple. Stop giving to the RF, stop buying season tickets, stop going to games at all, stop watching on TV.

How bout when the AD solicits the -players.

[12247]

I have always declared that everyone is entitled to their opinion and still feel that way.  I further declare that anyone who truly believed that Bret Bielema was a good solid hire for Arkansas just doesn't know much about football or about the ability of Arkansas to recruit or both.  I believe Jeff Long felt he killed it when he hired Bret and in fact he is still killing it but not in the way Jeff thought he was.  Bielema is killing the program, wringing out every little bit of quality we had, done, finished, through.

It pains me when posters say, Bret was a good hire at the time Jeff hired him.  NO, HELL NO, Bret Bielema was never a good hire, NEVER, EVER.  To try and operate the scheme Bret loves is Sooie-cide for the program, period.  If Jeff Long really underdstood Arkansas, Football and/or Arkansas Football, he would never have given BB a second thought.  Jeff Long simply does not understand Arkansas or Football in depth.  He has so proved that. 

[JOKERHOG]

HE made a excellent coaching hire that just has not worked out. I was not a bad hire at the time.

Many disagreed at the time

[JOKERHOG]

I have always declared that everyone is entitled to their opinion and still feel that way.  I further declare that anyone who truly believed that Bret Bielema was a good solid hire for Arkansas just doesn't know much about football or about the ability of Arkansas to recruit or both.  I believe Jeff Long felt he killed it when he hired Bret and in fact he is still killing it but not in the way Jeff thought he was.  Bielema is killing the program, wringing out every little bit of quality we had, done, finished, through.

It pains me when posters say, Bret was a good hire at the time Jeff hired him.  NO, HELL NO, Bret Bielema was never a good hire, NEVER, EVER.  To try and operate the scheme Bret loves is Sooie-cide for the program, period.  If Jeff Long really underdstood Arkansas, Football and/or Arkansas Football, he would never have given BB a second thought.  Jeff Long simply does not understand Arkansas or Football in depth.  He has so proved that.

Couldn't agree more.  Long should have returned the letter with a handwritten note saying thank you for your concern but I will not consider hiring a football dinosaur to lead our program.

[hog911]

Long isn't leaving.

He'll sign a new contact soon and will be secure as the AD.

There is no reason to waste your angst over it. 

When the time comes, he will be front and center in hiring our next football coach.  However, he will have to "sell it" internally.

As with all things, something can happen that changes things but unless he's busted in a scandal or some major job comes knocking. ....he's our guy.

Well Mr Long good luck selling out the expanded stadium! I remember my college day back in the mid to late 90's when tickets went for $1! They still couldn't sell out the stadium! If you want change STOP donating and buying tickets! Otherwise you are the problem! That goes for you Hardcore!

[Mike Irwin]

Long isn't leaving.

He'll sign a new contact soon and will be secure as the AD.

There is no reason to waste your angst over it. 

When the time comes, he will be front and center in hiring our next football coach.  However, he will have to "sell it" internally.

As with all things, something can happen that changes things but unless he's busted in a scandal or some major job comes knocking. ....he's our guy.

Accurate.

[Mike Irwin]

I'm not convinced CBB is leaving either.

Accurate.

[Ironhawg]

I think the answer depends on your definition of the word "commitment."

Our facilities work indicates we are committed to winning.

The salaries we pay our coaches indicates we are committed to winning.

Long's Hiring of Bret Bielema, a successful coach from a P5 conference, indicated we were committed to winning.

However, the termination of Petrino indicated that the perception of our football program, as a part of our larger University system, was more important than winning. Our commitment does not extend that far.

I also believe that our commitment to winning does not approach doing the kinds of things that have gotten Ole Miss and Louisville, among others, in trouble. Our commitment does not extend to knowingly committing NCAA violations, even if our opponents are.

As an alumnus, I endorse that philosophy.

Thanks Wilson.  That makes perfect sense.

[Locutus_of_Boar]

No doubt Long will be here next year.

No doubt he will have a new contract that appears to be a long term commitment.

No doubt that as long as CBB stays he will not change materially which means he will continue to provide ample opportunity to convince an ever increasing majority of fans that the program is stuck in a rut and failing.

No doubt the fan angst will continue to be reflected by the media with each failing.

No doubt whether it's this year or next the only way out is for Long to pull the plug on CBB.

A lot of doubt that Long will pick a lesser known winner instead of finding another worn out name brand who seems a better hire than he truly may be.

Finally no doubt Long knows in football coaching hires it three strikes and he's out and the count will soon stand at 0-2.

[ricepig]

No doubt Long will be here next year.

No doubt he will have a new contract that appears to be a long term commitment.

No doubt that as long as CBB stays he will not change materially which means he will continue to provide ample opportunity to convince an ever increasing majority of fans that the program is stuck in a rut and failing.

No doubt the fan angst will continue to be reflected by the media with each failing.

No doubt whether it's this year or next the only way out is for Long to pull the plug on CBB.

A lot of doubt that Long will pick a lesser known winner instead of finding another worn out name brand who seems a better hire than he truly may be.

Finally no doubt Long knows in football coaching hires it three strikes and he's out and the count will soon stand at 0-2.

I doubt it....

[Hollywood870]

So.....5-8 more years of suckassness. Awesome. Can't wait.

[Tusks]

Accurate.

I trust Porkatarian more.  After he wins just 4-5 games this season.  He's gone.

[scottwillrazbackfan1]

Agreed

[Oklahawg]

Thanks Wilson.  That makes perfect sense.

Co-sign.

[Oklahawg]

I trust Porkatarian more.  After he wins just 4-5 games this season.  He's gone.

I don't know that any of us would stand behind a 4-win season = "one more year." Trust whom you like, its a message board. For fans. Should any of those exist.

[HawgTide]

You certainly don't...

You are one pitiful excuse for a _an. Stop throwing a hissy fit

[HawgTide]

Correct, the next 6 weeks will determine the ending.

Probably the next 2 weeks will tell the tale

[Scott7703]

I trust Porkatarian more.  After he wins just 4-5 games this season.  He's gone.

He's gone either way.

[Ironhawg]

I heard something interesting on Bo's show today.  If Auburn blows out the Hogs tomorrow (wins by 30+), Bielema will hold the record for most SEC blowout losses by a Razorback coach.

[hawgon]

I heard something interesting on Bo's show today.  If Auburn blows out the Hogs tomorrow (wins by 30+), Bielema will hold the record for most SEC blowout losses by a Razorback coach.

He holds lots of records here.  He just keeps on giving us things that we've never had.