As Unpopular an Opinion as it Is

[WilsonHog]

If you are waiting for the day when we are going to have a #5 recruiting class in the country, you are likely to die an unhappy man.

Might catch lightning in a bottle, I suppose, but classes like Alabama or LSU routinely pulls in? Not happening.

Deep appreciation to those young men who chose to be Razorbacks today.

:razorback:

[weresoclose]

Yessir.  Welcome to Fayetteville!

[Oliver]

If you are waiting for the day when we are going to have a #5 recruiting class in the country, you are likely to die an unhappy man.

Might catch lightning in a bottle, I suppose, but classes like Alabama or LSU routinely pulls in? Not happening.

Deep appreciation to those young men who chose to be Razorbacks today.

:razorback:

If they had recruiting rankings in the 1960's, do you think we would have pulled down a top 10 class?

[Oklahawg]

Good to read your words.

For a number of reasons.

[WilsonHog]

If they had recruiting rankings in the 1960's, do you think we would have pulled down a top 10 class?

No idea.

But I would be really skeptical of trying to draw any comparisons pre-1970.

Maybe even pre-1991.

[The_Iceman]

If they had recruiting rankings in the 1960's, do you think we would have pulled down a top 10 class?

Much different dynamics back then.

[three hog night]

Our 2015 class is ranked #7 in the nation but only 5th in the SEC.  Keep things in perspective- the SEC is over the top on recruiting.  We have NEVER had a top 5 class, yet we have gone to the SEC championship game 3 times, and almost went again in 2011.

[Oliver]

No idea.

But I would be really skeptical of trying to draw any comparisons pre-1970.

Maybe even pre-1991.

Why?  Conference change and us not recruiting Texas as well?

[MiHogsMi]

Is a 10-15 too much to ask for?

All I read this summer is how great we were going to do recruiting with CBB and staff.  When we gave our opinions this summer that the recruits didn't seem to be coming in as expected, we were told to SHUT UP and it would all come together on NSD.  Well. NSD has come and gone and 12 in SEC and 29-30 nationally ain't what a whole bunch of us were hoping for. 

[wachhog]

If you are waiting for the day when we are going to have a #5 recruiting class in the country, you are likely to die an unhappy man.

Might catch lightning in a bottle, I suppose, but classes like Alabama or LSU routinely pulls in? Not happening.

Deep appreciation to those young men who chose to be Razorbacks today.

:razorback:

I agree with everything you said.  Why is it again that you think we can out Bama Bama on the football field?  Playing their style of ball?

[Oliver]

Is a 10-15 too much to ask for?

All I read this summer is how great we were going to do recruiting with CBB and staff.  When we gave our opinions this summer that the recruits didn't seem to be coming in as expected, we were told to SHUT UP and it would all come together on NSD.  Well. NSD has come and gone and 12 in SEC and 29-30 nationally ain't what a whole bunch of us were hoping for. 

Yeah, I'm along this line of thought.  The point I was hinting at is that we were obviously getting some top talent at one point in time in our history. 

I don't think many expect to out recruit Bama, LSU, Florida, etc year in and year out.  But I don't think it's too much to expect a top 10 class to be had once every three to four years. 

We've done it before, we can do it again.

[GO]

If ole Miss can pull in a 16th ranked class there is no excuse for us be sitting at #30 come this time next year. I would certainly expect to be top 25 each year.

[LZH]

Our 2015 class is ranked #7 in the nation but only 5th in the SEC.  Keep things in perspective- the SEC is over the top on recruiting.  We have NEVER had a top 5 class, yet we have gone to the SEC championship game 3 times, and almost went again in 2011.

Now that's more like it.

[LZH]

If ole Miss can pull in a 16th ranked class there is no excuse for us be sitting at #30 come this time next year. I would certainly expect to be top 25 each year.

My thoughts exactly.

[WilsonHog]

Why?  Conference change and us not recruiting Texas as well?

Integration, scholarship reductions, conference change, not recruiting Texas as well.

[DoctorSusscrofa]

Yeah, I'm along this line of thought.  The point I was hinting at is that we were obviously getting some top talent at one point in time in our history. 

I don't think many expect to out recruit Bama, LSU, Florida, etc year in and year out.  But I don't think it's too much to expect a top 10 class to be had once every three to four years. 

We've done it before, we can do it again.

Name a specific year we had a top 10 class or a specific decade we had 2 or three.  Don't get me wrong, we have had some good teams, but most of our best teams were actually over-achievers that started out expected to do less well.  Not the kinds of teams that come from highly ranked recruits.  The kind of guys that won big games for us were the guys like Teddy Barnes, and Roland Sales, not the no 1 recruits in the country.

[The_Iceman]

Yeah, I'm along this line of thought.  The point I was hinting at is that we were obviously getting some top talent at one point in time in our history. 

I don't think many expect to out recruit Bama, LSU, Florida, etc year in and year out.  But I don't think it's too much to expect a top 10 class to be had once every three to four years. 

We've done it before, we can do it again.

Top 10?

Florida
Florida State
Bama
Auburn
LSU
Georgia
Texas
Texas a&m
Oklahoma
Ohio State
USC
Michigan
Clemson

Thats just to name a few.....

[WilsonHog]

I agree with everything you said.  Why is it again that you think we can out Bama Bama on the football field?  Playing their style of ball?

When did I ever say we could "out-Bama" Alabama?

Let me be clear on a few points.

I prefer the style of football Alabama and LSU play. Mix in some pass yes, but I'd rather see a 15-play touchdown drive on the ground than a three-play touchdown drive through the air. Just my personal preference. I also happen to enjoy watching triple option football.

If you were to ask me when I thought we would have as fine a football program as Alabama has, experience the success they have, my simple answer to you would be, "never." That doesn't mean we can't beat them occasionally, because we have. But replicate their body of work? Not going to happen, and if Alabama success is what it takes to make you happy, then frankly your best bet is to become a Crimson Tide fan.

I support Bret Bielema because he has had one year here. I would have supported any other permanent coach we hired for the same reason, until he did something off the field to embarrass the University of Arkansas. If it appears after three years that Bielema isn't the man for the job, I'll have no problem saying so.   

[wupigsuey]

Yeah, I'm along this line of thought.  The point I was hinting at is that we were obviously getting some top talent at one point in time in our history. 

I don't think many expect to out recruit Bama, LSU, Florida, etc year in and year out.  But I don't think it's too much to expect a top 10 class to be had once every three to four years. 

We've done it before, we can do it again.

Yes but it was 1988 when we last did. Back when we were consistently good. Winning cures all.

[Steef]

If you are waiting for the day when we are going to have a #5 recruiting class in the country, you are likely to die an unhappy man.

Might catch lightning in a bottle, I suppose, but classes like Alabama or LSU routinely pulls in? Not happening.

Deep appreciation to those young men who chose to be Razorbacks today.

:razorback:

Yep.
Yep.
Aaaannnnndddd.....yep.

[jkstock04]

A realistic goal would be for us to be middle of the pack in the SEC recruiting wise. Maybe something like 6th-8th.

In normal years this would prob put us in the 12th-18th range on the national scale. I don't think that's too much to ask. I also think that would lend us the opportunity to not have to overachieve as much. Would be nice...guess one can only dream.

[Southpointhog]

This is garbage....tired of it.  After the season we had...we should be happy as hell!!

Is a 10-15 too much to ask for?

All I read this summer is how great we were going to do recruiting with CBB and staff.  When we gave our opinions this summer that the recruits didn't seem to be coming in as expected, we were told to SHUT UP and it would all come together on NSD.  Well. NSD has come and gone and 12 in SEC and 29-30 nationally ain't what a whole bunch of us were hoping for. 

[Coondog Hog]

Hell I just want to be #5 in the SEC

[Darren DeLoach]

Integration, scholarship reductions, conference change, not recruiting Texas as well.

I am beginning to think half this site was asleep the last 30 years. It's like they think we have Florida/Texas talent at our disposal.

I am good friends with William Hampton. We discuss recruiting this time of the year; like everyone that is a fan. Will was a little recruited linebacker out of Forrest City. He was looking at Memphis, ASU, UAPB, Grambling, and a pathetic Ole Miss. When Frank saw him practice and then play, he got the offer. He sat in his coach's office with Coach Broyles, and was told this, "Here at Arkansas we take great pride in beating schools with the boys that Texas, Tennessee, and Oklahoma skip over." He added something else that Will remembers, and paraphrasing---even my best recruits only came because of relationships I have with their coach or parent or they were born to a family that were Razorback fans.

We were great in the past because our Head Coach could hire great assistants (Johnson, Switzer, Hatfield, Gibbs, Majors) that could recognize talent that the high profile schools did not recruit, and then coach them into greatness. The same must be true now as then. Nutt was too lazy/incompotent, Petrino too unrelational, Bielema is still yet to be determined. I believe based on his past that he is made of the same cloth that brought us to the peak of College Football all those years ago. 

[Rzrbckr]

If ole Miss can pull in a 16th ranked class there is no excuse for us be sitting at #30 come this time next year. I would certainly expect to be top 25 each year.

5 of Mississippi's 4 star recruits are from Mississippi. Arkansas only had 2 4 stars in the state.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-3315;_ylt=Arrp7tdU_L5fZYCilJPfn6BGPZB4
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-3339;_ylt=AgORdvXfSDz8.TmlKByJS.xGPZB4

Here is Tennessee.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-3299;_ylt=AoZi2BQvgDV2cDXk3oC1ScxGPZB4

[ifghog]

When did I ever say we could "out-Bama" Alabama?

Let me be clear on a few points.

I prefer the style of football Alabama and LSU play. Mix in some pass yes, but I'd rather see a 15-play touchdown drive on the ground than a three-play touchdown drive through the air. Just my personal preference. I also happen to enjoy watching triple option football.

If you were to ask me when I thought we would have as fine a football program as Alabama has, experience the success they have, my simple answer to you would be, "never." That doesn't mean we can't beat them occasionally, because we have. But replicate their body of work? Not going to happen, and if Alabama success is what it takes to make you happy, then frankly your best bet is to become a Crimson Tide fan.

I support Bret Bielema because he has had one year here. I would have supported any other permanent coach we hired for the same reason, until he did something off the field to embarrass the University of Arkansas. If it appears after three years that Bielema isn't the man for the job, I'll have no problem saying so.   

Wilson I couldn't agree more with u if I tried. +1 sir

[DoctorSusscrofa]

When did I ever say we could "out-Bama" Alabama?

Let me be clear on a few points.

I prefer the style of football Alabama and LSU play. Mix in some pass yes, but I'd rather see a 15-play touchdown drive on the ground than a three-play touchdown drive through the air. Just my personal preference. I also happen to enjoy watching triple option football.

If you were to ask me when I thought we would have as fine a football program as Alabama has, experience the success they have, my simple answer to you would be, "never." That doesn't mean we can't beat them occasionally, because we have. But replicate their body of work? Not going to happen, and if Alabama success is what it takes to make you happy, then frankly your best bet is to become a Crimson Tide fan.

I support Bret Bielema because he has had one year here. I would have supported any other permanent coach we hired for the same reason, until he did something off the field to embarrass the University of Arkansas. If it appears after three years that Bielema isn't the man for the job, I'll have no problem saying so.   

This is exactly right. Our recruiting base is too small to out-recruit Bama at the top end.  We can sometimes steal somebody from them.  We can sometimes recruit a teachable kid they didn't catch.  We can sometimes get outrageously lucky and match the right coach, the right lucky recruits and the right schedule.  But we won't out Bama Alabama regularly unless Bama screws up big time and it happens to coincide with the best years of our lives.

And of course, that's exactly what I dream about.  But I understand it's a dream and I don't put more importance on it than any nice dream. Instead, I hope we have a coach who finds kids that Bama and LSU didn't want and turns them into ambushers.  I'm happy with being good when we get a chance and being close any other time.  And for that we have to get 3 stars and 4 stars - which is what we did today.

[Simple Swineman]

Hell I just want to be #5 in the SEC

I want that too. But am I expecting it? No way.

Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, and Texas A&M all sit in the middle of the recruiting hotbed of America. You can arguably throw Tennessee and South Carolina in to that group. That's 8 teams I just mentioned that all have a huge geographical advantage over Arkansas and I don't think anybody would argue that.

If we ever get to #5 in SEC recruiting then that means we will have to finish ahead of 4 of those teams in the same year. I don't ever see that happening. Just my opinion. If that ever happens it will be a year unlike any other and most likely an historic year of Arkansas high school talent. And a class like that year after year would be virtually impossible.

[lrcentral]

We need to hit Texas with an all out marketing blitz. One would have to think that convincing a kid to move 5 hours from home (Dallas) would be easier than from 14 hours out (Florida).

[WILL CLINTON]

If you were to ask me when I thought we would have as fine a football program as Alabama has, experience the success they have, my simple answer to you would be, "never." That doesn't mean we can't beat them occasionally, because we have. But replicate their body of work? Not going to happen, and if Alabama success is what it takes to make you happy, then frankly your best bet is to become a Crimson Tide fan."

This was the best piece of advice I ever got, years ago. I can be a fan of any team I want to. My heart and loyalty will always be with the Hogs, but I can enjoy any team winning that I want to. I'm a fan of 25-30 teams every Saturday in the fall.

[BallHog1]

This is garbage....tired of it.  After the season we had...we should be happy as hell!!

I agree. I think the best way to react to this crappola is to completely ignore it and maybe it will eventually go away. Just don't acknowledge the posts.

[HiggiePiggy]

Hell I just want to be #5 in the SEC

We will be in the sec west

[jlhogfan]

Why Not?  LSU was not always LSU, Florida was not always Florida, etc...

[Oklahawg]

Why Not?  LSU was not always LSU, Florida was not always Florida, etc...

Maybe, but they have a built-in advantage called "population".

[Oklahawg]

One must make the choice to be a fan, or not. I can't fathom not enjoying being a fan. I suspect that those who have a pessimistic fandom are not as mentally (or physically) healthy as those of us who choose to be more optimistic, even if it is not realistic.

[(notOM)Rebel123]

If they had recruiting rankings in the 1960's, do you think we would have pulled down a top 10 class?

Well, I know one thing for sure...if we didn't, you'd be the first one to gripe & moan about it. In fact, if the Hogs finished ranked #2, you'd complain about them not being #1. Come to think of it, you'd find something to complain about if we were ranked #1.

[Pork Twain]

If they had recruiting rankings in the 1960's, do you think we would have pulled down a top 10 class?

How are Princeton, Harvard and Yale doing in the BCS era?

[Pork Twain]

One must make the choice to be a fan, or not. I can't fathom not enjoying being a fan. I suspect that those who have a pessimistic fandom are not as mentally (or physically) healthy as those of us who choose to be more optimistic, even if it is not realistic.

I know...  The constant amount of negativity from many on here, never ceases to amaze me.

[FelixJonesorDMAC?]

The only thing that could change our recruiting is if somehow Arkansas High School Athletics decided to develop the talent we have and get serious with sports.  Little Rock, Pine Bluff, NWA and South Arkansas and East Arkansas should be able to to have some studs in Football.  All SEC states should be dominate in High School Football.  Arkansas High School football is behind 20 years.

[bigbadhog]

One must make the choice to be a fan, or not. I can't fathom not enjoying being a fan. I suspect that those who have a pessimistic fandom are not as mentally (or physically) healthy as those of us who choose to be more optimistic, even if it is not realistic.

Some people can think for themselves and look at the situation realistically and not be  blind followers.  If you try that, you will see the BB is a horrible fit to coach our razorbacks...  Others chose to drink the Kool aid and claim others are not true fans.  Which group is mentally more healthy is certainly debatable...

[Oklahawg]

Some people can think for themselves and look at the situation realistically and not be  blind followers. If you try that, you will see the BB is a horrible fit to coach our razorbacks... Others chose to drink the Kool aid and claim others are not true fans.  Which group is mentally more healthy is certainly debatable...

Enlighten me. You raised the bar rather high, but I am willing to read and consider.

[Pork Twain]

Some people can think for themselves and look at the situation realistically and not be  blind followers.  If you try that, you will see the BB is a horrible fit to coach our razorbacks...  Others chose to drink the Kool aid and claim others are not true fans.  Which group is mentally more healthy is certainly debatable...

Those calling for a new coach after one year and two very good recruiting classes, have issues.

[bigbadhog]

Enlighten me. You raised the bar rather high, but I am willing to read and consider.

We are in for a long turn around.   BB coming from the big 10 and never having built a program.  Running an offense that is considered a dinosaur after BP's success bringing our offense into this century.  Not having Sec experience or even an idea what it takes to succeed in the sec.  I could go on forever about why BB is a terrible fit to lead our program. 

I will add shooting off his mouth and not being able to back it up.  Attacking the hunh - the direction football is headed - with the lame injury excuse.  He is and was a blowhard jerk at wisc.  There are soooo many things not to like.  He is the last person I would have hired to lead my razorbacks.  Did I mention I don't like him???

[bigbadhog]

Those calling for a new coach after one year and two very good recruiting classes, have issues.

Not calling for him to be fired YET- still in shock that he was even considered for the job. 

[Hogsenburg]

When did I ever say we could "out-Bama" Alabama?

Let me be clear on a few points.

I prefer the style of football Alabama and LSU play. Mix in some pass yes, but I'd rather see a 15-play touchdown drive on the ground than a three-play touchdown drive through the air. Just my personal preference. I also happen to enjoy watching triple option football.

If you were to ask me when I thought we would have as fine a football program as Alabama has, experience the success they have, my simple answer to you would be, "never." That doesn't mean we can't beat them occasionally, because we have. But replicate their body of work? Not going to happen, and if Alabama success is what it takes to make you happy, then frankly your best bet is to become a Crimson Tide fan.

I support Bret Bielema because he has had one year here. I would have supported any other permanent coach we hired for the same reason, until he did something off the field to embarrass the University of Arkansas. If it appears after three years that Bielema isn't the man for the job, I'll have no problem saying so.   

Took the words right out of my mouth

[FelixJonesorDMAC?]

We are in for a long turn around.   BB coming from the big 10 and never having built a program.  Running an offense that is considered a dinosaur after BP's success bringing our offense into this century.  Not having Sec experience or even an idea what it takes to succeed in the sec.  I could go on forever about why BB is a terrible fit to lead our program. 

I will add shooting off his mouth and not being able to back it up.  Attacking the hunh - the direction football is headed - with the lame injury excuse.  He is and was a blowhard jerk at wisc.  There are soooo many things not to like.  He is the last person I would have hired to lead my razorbacks.  Did I mention I don't like him???

I bet Nick Saban would have something to say about that

[Hogsenburg]

Some people can think for themselves and look at the situation realistically and not be  blind followers.  If you try that, you will see the BB is a horrible fit to coach our razorbacks...  Others chose to drink the Kool aid and claim others are not true fans.  Which group is mentally more healthy is certainly debatable...

Yes we can......Unfortunately you are not one of those people

[Oklahawg]

We are in for a long turn around.   BB coming from the big 10 and never having built a program.  Running an offense that is considered a dinosaur after BP's success bringing our offense into this century.  Not having Sec experience or even an idea what it takes to succeed in the sec.  I could go on forever about why BB is a terrible fit to lead our program. 

I will add shooting off his mouth and not being able to back it up.  Attacking the hunh - the direction football is headed - with the lame injury excuse.  He is and was a blowhard jerk at wisc.  There are soooo many things not to like.  He is the last person I would have hired to lead my razorbacks.  Did I mention I don't like him???

Ah, irrational response couched in the language of rationality. Nice.

[hoglady]

Integration, scholarship reductions, conference change, not recruiting Texas as well.

We seem to have put all our eggs in the Florida basket and completely gotten away from Texas. I don't think it's not recruiting Texas well - I think it's not recruiting Texas hardly at all.

[warriorlion]

I could live with a group ranked 10-12 every year myself.