Where do we rank as a national power?

[footballfan]

Since 1970 (roughly when teams in the south were integrating) Arkansas has finished in the top ten 6 times. This ranks behind

Alabama
Auburn
Arizona State
Clemson
Colorado
Florida
Florida State
Georgia
LSU
Miami
Michigan
Nebraska
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Oregon
Penn State
USC
Stanford
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M
Virginia Tech
Washington

We're tied with Kansas St. Michigan St. Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.

Are we really this low? What should our expectations be?

[Hogwild]

Ranking each decade since 1901-
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/rankings/rankings_index.php

'01-'10   #189
'11-'20   #178
'21-'30   #83
'31-'40   #30
'41-'50   #35
'51-'60   #24
'61-'70   # 9
'71-'80   #11
'81-'90   #30
'91-'00   #50
'01-'10   #17

[LZH]

Ranking each decade since 1901-
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/rankings/rankings_index.php

'01-'10   #189
'11-'20   #178
'21-'30   #83
'31-'40   #30
'41-'50   #35
'51-'60   #24
'61-'70   # 9
'71-'80   #11
'81-'90   #30
'91-'00   #50
'01-'10   #17

Anyone notice that Oregon State and Cal have higher schedule rankings than we do for '01-'10?

[footballfan]

Anyone notice that Oregon State and Cal have higher schedule rankings than we do for '01-'10?

we were really up and down

[Ironhawg]

It hurts to say this, but Arkansas has not been a football power since the 70s. 

[lefty08]

It hurts to say this, but Arkansas has not been a football power since the 70s.

Id say top 30 all time isnt peanuts

[Augustus]

Since 1970 (roughly when teams in the south were integrating) Arkansas has finished in the top ten 6 times. This ranks behind

Alabama
Auburn
Arizona State
Clemson
Colorado
Florida
Florida State
Georgia
LSU
Miami
Michigan
Nebraska
Notre Dame
Ohio State
Oklahoma
Oregon
Penn State
USC
Stanford
Tennessee
Texas
Texas A&M
Virginia Tech
Washington

We're tied with Kansas St. Michigan St. Pittsburgh and Wisconsin.

Are we really this low? What should our expectations be?

I think it's a matter of perception. Save for 5 teams (ASU, Colorado, Va Tech, Wash, and A&M)... those are all of the top programs, no?

With that list of programs, I imagine it would be hard to break into the "next tier"

Then again, I also feel that the majority of Hog Fans let their emotion intrude on reality.  We are not a top 10 program. Probably not even top 20. Top 30? ok.

[hawkhawg]

I think we are right around 20. There are a few of those teams that I would put behind Arkansas.

[HogInFlorida]

Somewhere in the low 20s

[IntegrityHog]

It hurts to say this, but Arkansas has not been a football power since the 70s.

I have full faith that Coach B will get us there, the right way.

[Boardon Hamsay]

Ranking each decade since 1901-
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/rankings/rankings_index.php

'01-'10   #189
'11-'20   #178
'21-'30   #83
'31-'40   #30
'41-'50   #35
'51-'60   #24
'61-'70   # 9
'71-'80   #11
'81-'90   #30
'91-'00   #50
'01-'10   #17

Well, if you average the rankings since '51, we come out at #24. Sounds about right.

[Razorback_Mack]

Ranking each decade since 1901-
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/rankings/rankings_index.php

'01-'10   #189
'11-'20   #178
'21-'30   #83
'31-'40   #30
'41-'50   #35
'51-'60   #24
'61-'70   # 9
'71-'80   #11
'81-'90   #30
'91-'00   #50
'01-'10   #17

#30 in the 80's? I'd like to see the formula that came up with that number. Had a winning season every year from 80-89 and went to 9 bowl games (when bowls mattered). We also finished in the top 20 six times. Also why would you calculate 9 years in one decade and the first year in the next decade. Like 81-90....instead of 80-89? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

[Augustus]

#30 in the 80's? I'd like to see the formula that came up with that number. Had a winning season every year from 80-89 and went to 9 bowl games (when bowls mattered). We also finished in the top 20 six times. Also why would you calculate 9 years in one decade and the first year in the next decade. Like 81-90....instead of 80-89? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

Even back then, weren't certain bowls played the "year" after the regular season? (Certain Bowl games for the '01 season, were played in '02?)

[Razorback_Mack]

Even back then, weren't certain bowls played the "year" after the regular season? (Certain Bowl games for the '01 season, were played in '02?)

Yeah but they still count to the previous years team record. For example the 2010 team played in the 2011 Sugar Bowl and went 10-3. The 2011 team played in the 2012 Cotton Bowl and went 11-2. So on and so forth. I certainly wouldn't call the 1990 team a part of the 80's (like that website did) or the 1989 team a part of the 90's just because they played in the 1990 Cotton Bowl. It says 81-90 so I'm guessing they didn't count the 1980 team for the 80's. I could understand it if they said 80-90 and just counted the 1990 cotton bowl.

[Augustus]

Yeah but they still count to the previous years team record. For example the 2010 team played in the 2011 Sugar Bowl and went 10-3. The 2011 team played in the 2012 Cotton Bowl and went 11-2. So on and so forth. I certainly wouldn't call the 1990 team a part of the 80's (like that website did) or the 1989 team a part of the 90's just because they played in the 1990 Cotton Bowl.

Yeah, I dunno... I don't get it either.

[LZH]

we were really up and down

Schedules.  The Pac12 was tougher than the SEC in the 2000's?

[Hogwild]

Schedules.  The Pac12 was tougher than the SEC in the 2000's?

PAC 12 played 9 conference games, Cal would then usually play two OOC against teams from BCS conferences.  That's 11 games against teams from BCS conferences compared to 9 in most years for us. I didn't do the math, but I would guess that Cal played anywhere from 16-20 games against BCS teams more then we did.

[Pigsknuckles]

Though I have been quite concerned about our program for quite some time, my Dad (rest his soul) seemed to have a better attitude towards us than I ever had. Though he grew up in the Wilkinson OU heydays, he always had a deep respect for the Razorbacks. Always described us as a team that you never want to look past, and a team that the networks loved because you never knew who was going to show up (cue Forest Gump). Though never seen as a perennial national power, we were always the team that could ruin your season. I hope that one day we will be seen as more. But for now, I'm satisfied to be seen as Dad would have seen us. BTW-Lost that wonderful man 14 years ago today.

[Al Boarland]

Somewhere in the 30's. Not too bad considering the competition we play.

[Hogwild]

#30 in the 80's? I'd like to see the formula that came up with that number. Had a winning season every year from 80-89 and went to 9 bowl games (when bowls mattered). We also finished in the top 20 six times. Also why would you calculate 9 years in one decade and the first year in the next decade. Like 81-90....instead of 80-89? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.

the reason I think they list the years that way is because they also rank them on quarter century, half century, etc.  and the 20th century started in 1901

here's the top 25 from 81-90
1Miami (FL)
2Penn St.
3Michigan
4Notre Dame (IN)
5Nebraska
6Oklahoma
7Southern California
8UCLA
9Auburn (AL)
10Ohio St.
11Washington
12Clemson (SC)
13Iowa
14Georgia
15Florida St.
16Alabama
17Illinois
18Tennessee
19Michigan St.
20Florida
21Pittsburgh (PA)
22Colorado
23Texas
24LSU
25Arizona st

[Tick Hog]

I guess this would be for the older guys because Arkansas football and national power sounds like a punchline to some joke

[WilsonHog]

I guess this would be for the older guys because Arkansas football and national power sounds like a punchline to some joke

I think that's because the younger fans tend to look at our program through the lens of a much shorter time frame. On the whole, patience is not only no longer seen as a virtue, it's often regarded as a relic.

[Tick Hog]

I think that's because the younger fans tend to look at our program through the lens of a much shorter time frame. On the whole, patience is not only no longer seen as a virtue, it's often regarded as a relic.

Agree

[Bubba's Bruisers]

I think that's because the younger fans tend to look at our program through the lens of a much shorter time frame. On the whole, patience is not only no longer seen as a virtue, it's often regarded as a relic.

I agree, and the older generation can't see through the lens of the last 30 years.  Such certainly gets factored into the natuonal power equation. 

[luke hawg]

What other programs changed conferences in that time period? We were way behind when we entered this conference. I honestly feel coach Bielema will be the first coach to lead us at our full potential in this conference.

[Hogpkins]

the reason I think they list the years that way is because they also rank them on quarter century, half century, etc.  and the 20th century started in 1901

here's the top 25 from 81-90
1Miami (FL)
2Penn St.
3Michigan
4Notre Dame (IN)
5Nebraska
6Oklahoma
7Southern California
8UCLA
9Auburn (AL)
10Ohio St.
11Washington
12Clemson (SC)
13Iowa
14Georgia
15Florida St.
16Alabama
17Illinois
18Tennessee
19Michigan St.
20Florida
21Pittsburgh (PA)
22Colorado
23Texas
24LSU
25Arizona st

Very interesting. No SEC team in top 8.

[Hogpkins]

I realize the SWC was down in the 80's, but that list really tells how far he SEC has risen since AFTER we decided to join.  The SEC's rise to dominance basically started right when we joined. It's really crazy to think how we jumped on the rocket ship just before takeoff. 

[Al Boarland]

What other programs changed conferences in that time period? We were way behind when we entered this conference. I honestly feel coach Bielema will be the first coach to lead us at our full potential in this conference.

I feel like I have seen a very similar sentiment after every coaching change.

[HogFanatic]

I realize the SWC was down in the 80's, but that list really tells how far he SEC has risen since AFTER we decided to join.  The SEC's rise to dominance basically started right when we joined. It's really crazy to think how we jumped on the rocket ship just before takeoff.

I seem to remember the Big10 sending more teams to bowl games than the SEC every year up until around 2003-2004.

The SEC's "dominance" is a relatively new thing.

[Hogpkins]

I was thinking about Bama's championship right when we joined. And then Florida's rise to dominance immediately afterward. And Tennessee winning the NC in '98. And then the complete dominance we've seen in the past decade.

From that perspective, you could say it started as soon as we joined and then climaxed here lately, into utter dominance.

[HogFanatic]

I was thinking about Bama's championship right when we joined. And then Florida's rise to dominance immediately afterward. And Tennessee winning the NC in '98. And then the complete dominance we've seen in the past decade.

From that perspective, you could say it started as soon as we joined and then climaxed here lately, into utter dominance.

While I agree with the Championships thing, I think the best metric for conferences overall is number of teams sent to bowls. And the SEC really still doesn't even dominate that category.

The SEC truly is top-heavy (as much as I hate to agree with Big Game Bob.)

[Hogwild]

I realize the SWC was down in the 80's, but that list really tells how far he SEC has risen since AFTER we decided to join.  The SEC's rise to dominance basically started right when we joined. It's really crazy to think how we jumped on the rocket ship just before takeoff.

The SEC had top programs prior to that stretch, but the 81-90 was a transition period for the SEC.  Bear Bryant left in '82, Florida was on probation wouldn't win their first SEC title until '91,&  LSU head coach died in a plane crash never coached a game, they had to go  the interim route. Plus no team got points for the conference title in '84(?) because their was no winner that year.

By comparison in the '61-70 era, 70% of the conference was in the top 20
#2 Alabama
#6 LSU
#9 Arkansas
#11 Ole Miss
#14 Tennessee
#16 Florida
#18 Auburn
#19 Georgia

[Hogwild]

I seem to remember the Big10 sending more teams to bowl games than the SEC every year up until around 2003-2004.

While I agree with the Championships thing, I think the best metric for conferences overall is number of teams sent to bowls. And the SEC really still doesn't even dominate that category.

The SEC truly is top-heavy (as much as I hate to agree with Big Game Bob.)

You have had a lot of unique positions, but none has been further from the truth than that.  The SEC completely dominated the Big 10 with regard to bowl games before the 90s expansion.

[LRRandy]

I seem to remember the Big10 sending more teams to bowl games than the SEC every year up until around 2003-2004.

The SEC's "dominance" is a relatively new thing.

you are correct. An undefeated sec champion would never be left out of a national championship game today. Yet 10 years ago Auburn was left out.

[Hogwild]

In 1990 both the Big Ten & SEC had 10 teams, ranking from highest to lowest the number of bowl berths to that point.  Bowl games played on 1-1-91 count.

1) Bama 43 Ohio State 23
2) Tenn  31 Michigan   22
3) UGA   29 Iowa 11
4) LSU   28 Michigan St 10
5) Ole Miss 24 Illinois 9
6) Auburn 23 Wisconsin 6
7) Florida 18 Indiana 6
8 ) Kentucky 7 Purdue 5
9) Miss State 6 Minnesota 5
10) Vandy 3 Northwestern 1

Not only did the SEC win all ten matchups 60% of the conference had has many bowl appearances as the Big 10's Leader. 

How has the SEC done  in bowl games? 7 of the top 14 all time in wins.
#1 Bama, #4 UGA, #8 Tenn, #10 LSU, #11 Ole Miss, #12 Auburn, #14 Florida


That is by definition dominance.

[RNHog]

Middle tier.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

It hurts to say this, but Arkansas has not been a football power since the 70s. 

2 years ago we finished 5th

[Bubba's Bruisers]

2 years ago we finished 5th

I have tremendous respect for what BP accomplished by year 3 here, but let's be honest, 1 season means little in the grand scheme of things. 

[The Divine Swine]

Ranking each decade since 1901-
http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/rankings/rankings_index.php

'01-'10   #189
'11-'20   #178
'21-'30   #83
'31-'40   #30
'41-'50   #35
'51-'60   #24
'61-'70   # 9
'71-'80   #11
'81-'90   #30
'91-'00   #50
'01-'10   #17

so since the 50's we have averaged top 25 as a program.

[Iwastherein1969]

It hurts to say this, but Arkansas has not been a football power since the 70s.

not coincidentally, the last time we fielded defenses that could line up with ANYONE

[Inhogswetrust]

I think that's because the younger fans tend to look at our program through the lens of a much shorter time frame. On the whole, patience is not only no longer seen as a virtue, it's often regarded as a relic.

It is one of the most important virtues in my opinion in some matters in life. If patience wasn't such an important virtue a LOT of things we have in the world today wouldn't be here. It kind of relates to tenacity, not taking no for an answer and not quitting when others say quit AND making damn sure something is done right (otherwise the bridge may fall down).

[Inhogswetrust]

not coincidentally, the last time we fielded defenses that could line up with ANYONE

But according to some on here (a minority though) that are vocal, loud and obnoxious it is all about entertaining them with a fast paced, spread em out and throw it all over the field offense.

[hogcard1964]

It hurts to say this, but Arkansas has not been a football power since the 70s.

Aside from the two years, 2010 and 2011, this is correct.

[Cinco de Hogo]

I think that's because the younger fans tend to look at our program through the lens of a much shorter time frame. On the whole, patience is not only no longer seen as a virtue, it's often regarded as a relic.

I'm not a young man but I think the older generation has a problem with reality.  The younger generation is just going by what reality has been to them.

[HiggiePiggy]

But according to some on here (a minority though) that are vocal, loud and obnoxious it is all about entertaining them with a fast paced, spread em out and throw it all over the field offense.

A very small minority.  The majority want to win games and don't care if it's by running 100 times a game or passing it 100 times a game. 

[12247]

Before I opened this thread, I guessed we would fall around 25th.  I guess correctly sometimes.

The perception of Arkansas football just depends on the individual.  Age is a factor.  Older fans actually saw us when we were pretty good over a decent period of time.  We were in a conference where, in any given year, 2 or 3 teams usually had a decent chance to win it all and the rest were also rans.  Beat Texas and the flavor of the year and you won the Conference.  The Big 12 is like that now.  Big Game Bob might disagree but it is mostly true that about 3 teams annually have any real chance at winning the Big 12.  This coming season, OU should walk away with the crown as a 1 team conference.

I believe the SEC has BAMA, Aubbie, GA and SC all with real chances to win it all this coming season.

[Hoggish1]

Well, if you average the rankings since '51, we come out at #24. Sounds about right.

I'll take that till now.  Going forward must be better and I think it will be!

[Bubba's Bruisers]

But according to some on here (a minority though) that are vocal, loud and obnoxious it is all about entertaining them with a fast paced, spread em out and throw it all over the field offense.

What changed?  Why don't we field competent defenses anymore?

[SouthSide Johnny]

The SEC had top programs prior to that stretch, but the 81-90 was a transition period for the SEC.  Bear Bryant left in '82, Florida was on probation wouldn't win their first SEC title until '91,&  LSU head coach died in a plane crash never coached a game, they had to go  the interim route. Plus no team got points for the conference title in '84(?) because their was no winner that year.

By comparison in the '61-70 era, 70% of the conference was in the top 20
#2 Alabama
#6 LSU
#9 Arkansas
#11 Ole Miss
#14 Tennessee
#16 Florida
#18 Auburn
#19 Georgia

Interesting but Arkansas wasn't part of The Conference in 61-70..

[Hogwild]

but the other 7 teams list represented 70% of the then SEC