Like I have said before...this is a 5-6 year rebuilding project

[checkraiser88]

We don't have the depth or talent to be a legitimate threat at this point. BB's system requires patience and I feel like we should give it to him...That is all

[Torqued pork]

Two seasons without a single conference win and all but the hardcore cool-aid drinkers will lose confidence in Bielema.

[PorkerOinker]

Two seasons without a single conference win and all but the hardcore cool-aid drinkers will lose confidence in Bielema.

Doesn't matter he's not going anywhere!

We are headed in the right direction and will get there in the next year or two.

[Hoggie17]

Doesn't matter he's not going anywhere!

We are headed in the right direction and will get there in the next year or two.

It might take 10 years to build it back to where it was.

[texas tush hog]

Even the cool-aid drinkers are beginning to doubt him.  Why is it going to take 5 to 6 years to get the program competitive?  Some coaches come into a program and get the job done in a year or two. 

The problem is Bielema's system.  It simply won't work in the SEC.  In this league you have to be extremely balanced, and if all you can do is run off tackle like Arkansas does any team would continue to lose.  Yet CBB continues to recruit more offensive linemen and tight ends.  How many tight ends do we need?  A half dozen or more?  The real need is a champion calibre quarterback, and some receivers who can flat out fly.   

Nobody has ever come into a bigger dumpster fire than he did either. Give me some more Kool-aid sir.

[secfan30]

We are not even done with year 2... Saying 5-6, no we will see more wins much sooner than that.

There is improvement being shown on the field and in recruiting. I still feel we will end up with 5-6 wins this year. More next years.

[hogcard1964]

We are not even done with year 2... Saying 5-6, no we will see more wins much sooner than that.

There is improvement being shown on the field and in recruiting. I still feel we will end up with 5-6 wins this year. More next years.

That's not really improvement.  Not enough anyway.

[Danny J]

We don't have the depth or talent to be a legitimate threat at this point. BB's system requires patience and I feel like we should give it to him...That is all

So.....before we see improvement and "learning of the system" a player will need to be here 5 or 6 years? How does that work exactly? Our schedule isn't going to get easier. Those other SEC teams will continue to improve as well.

You should start to see improvement in the W-L record by year three. So far we have seen no improvement in regards to losses. A close loss is still a loss.

However I do believe we will see that improvement by next year.

[VT HOG]

This will be the first time ever Arkansas has has 3 losing seasons in a row. What Bielema is doing is historically bad.

[IllinoisRazorbackFan]

This will be the first time ever Arkansas has has 3 losing seasons in a row. What Bielema is doing is historically bad.

Yes, he has the lowest winning percentage in the history of the program. 

[hogcard1964]

This will be the first time ever Arkansas has has 3 losing seasons in a row. What Bielema is doing is historically bad.

I think we had one other one from sometime like 1950-52.  Near that era.

...but yes, our football program has never been this awful.

[rzrbackrob]

So long as the Hogs are showing improvement, I will continue to support (I'm not a huge fan of BB's system, but acknowledge any system run well enough can win).

This team is better than last years team so far.
2013 team won 3 games, this team will win at least 4 (improvement).
2013 team lost against a decent OOC team, this year they won those games (improvement).
2013 team gave up and got blown out against far superior teams. This team showed signs of giving in the first half yesterday, but found a way to come back (improvement).

2013 team got better as the season progressed, the jury is still out for 2014.
2013 lost every SEC game, this years team is running out of time to win a SEC game.

The SEC is unreal good, and the Hogs have the hardest schedule you could make playing the best 8 teams in conference and none of the others, but Hog fans are not being unrealistic to expect ONE SEC win this year.

[BartIV]

It only took BP 3 years.
Just saying

[hogcard1964]

So long as the Hogs are showing improvement, I will continue to support (I'm not a huge fan of BB's system, but acknowledge any system run well enough can win).

This team is better than last years team so far.
2013 team won 3 games, this team will win at least 4 (improvement).
2013 team lost against a decent OOC team, this year they won those games (improvement).
2013 team gave up and got blown out against far superior teams. This team showed signs of giving in the first half yesterday, but found a way to come back (improvement).

2013 team got better as the season progressed, the jury is still out for 2014.
2013 lost every SEC game, this years team is running out of time to win a SEC game.

The SEC is unreal good, and the Hogs have the hardest schedule you could make playing the best 8 teams in conference and none of the others, but Hog fans are not being unrealistic to expect ONE SEC win this year.

Yesterday was a huge step back.  They'll win next week but unless they make a minor bowl, there's no improvement to note.

[hogcard1964]

It only took BP 3 years.
Just saying

He made a bowl in year two and won 8 games.   That is the bar.

[BartIV]

He made a bowl in year two and won 8 games.   That is the bar.

I was being nice. CBB had to take over the mess left by Mega-clown John L Smith. Saying give the man 5-6 years, now that is ridiculous.  But worked for Miss State

[TheRazorbackGuy]

He made a bowl in year two and won 8 games.   That is the bar.

I just think making a bowl game was the acceptable destination this season not winning 8 games.

[TNRazorbacker]

Bielema's system will work and once established we will be much more stable and consistent every year. Once in place it almost always has you in the game.  It just takes time because its more about program building than schemes or gimmicks.

Granted it will take longer in some places than others depending on the recruiting situation. It will take longer here than at many other SEC schools, but it will work. Our greatest enemy is impatience. The worst possible thing we can do is another coaching change. It would just set us back even further.

[bphi11ips]

It's a 5 year deal because that's how long it takes to convert a team built for 7 on 7 to a team built for pro-style offense with a solid defense.  That's also how long it will take to have an upperclassman playmaker at QB. 

I'm in on Bielema's concept.  The execution thus far is puzzling in areas.  Physicality is ahead of schedule.  Defense is ahead of schedule.  Playcalling has us scratching our heads at times.The decision to redshirt a record setting placekicker is bizarre given the alternative.  The only way to make sense of that decision is to assume Bielema considers this to be a throwaway season.  But if that's true, why doesn't he build a QB for the future?  Of course, he certainly believes Henson and Brandon Allen give him the best shot at winning this year, right?  Allen is probably true, but Henson?

The most frustrating thing about Bielema at this point is that he does not appear to be able or willing to adjust to circumstances as they develop during the season or the games.  He has a plan and he's sticking to it come hell or high water.  That is admirable and can be a successful longterm strategy in football, business, and life.  But sometimes a little tweak here and there is necessary.  It doesn't mean the plan is flawed, only that it needed an adjustment.

[elviscat]

Most of you guys have low expectation for the program. Petrino, second year we are in a bowl and each year there after we had winning seasons. . It's going to take six years to develop a winning program, very low expectation. We will not win a SEC game this year. This is happening because JL made a bad choice for HC.

[hogcard1964]

I was being nice. CBB had to take over the mess left by Mega-clown John L Smith. Saying give the man 5-6 years, now that is ridiculous.  But worked for Miss State

Mullen had them competitive in his second year there and has had success there every year except his first.

[IllinoisRazorbackFan]

Bielema's system will work and once established we will be much more stable and consistent every year. Once in place it almost always has you in the game.  It just takes time because its more about program building than schemes or gimmicks.

Granted it will take longer in some places than others depending on the recruiting situation. It will take longer here than at many other SEC schools, but it will work. Our greatest enemy is impatience. The worst possible thing we can do is another coaching change. It would just set us back even further.

Sure... We just have to wait a decade for it get "established", right?   

[hogcard1964]

I just think making a bowl game was the acceptable destination this season not winning 8 games.

8 games isn't expecting much.

[BartIV]

Mullen had them competitive in his second year there and has had success there every year except his first.

Dan Mullen year 6 is something special that doesn't happen to Mississippi state often. I agree his previous seasons are good but this is what happens when a coach is given time to build.
But understand,  i am not sold on CBB.  I have seen nothing from him that shows he deserves a pay check.
hope dan mullen doesn't shemp the bed the rest of the season because then my argument blows

[secfan30]

This will be the first time ever Arkansas has has 3 losing seasons in a row. What Bielema is doing is historically bad.

You do realize he has only been here one year and 7 games right?

[hoglady]

I'm going to let this year play out.
We looked like such an improved team until yesterday.
May have just been a "Bama hangover" - that game was a gut shot.
I'm questioning how our special teams can be sooooo bad. May be a throwaway year like some have said. But man that sure isn't fair to the upperclassmen. 

[mizzouman]

We don't have the depth or talent to be a legitimate threat at this point. BB's system requires patience and I feel like we should give it to him...That is all

With the salaries these coaches are getting, do they deserve 5-6 years? 

[dwshog]

If we continue to run this style of offense, we won't win many games until we have a really good Qb. That's not a knock on this offense. I just think we need a Qb that forces defenses to respect the pass. When we line up with 2 te, 1 fb, and Hatcher as the only receiver we don't have much speed on the field. All you have to do is man up on the outside and put 10 in the box. We need speed at receiver, and a Qb with great accuracy to make all those tight window throws. I think Allen is an average Qb, but it's hard for him to thread the needle because our guys aren't getting much separation.

[BartIV]

With the salaries these coaches are getting, do they deserve 5-6 years? 

THIS

[ErieHog]

I suppose it depends on how you define the end point, as to how long the rebuilding project is going to take.

There is a logical arc to the development of a program from the bottom up;  year 1 was all about slash and burn--  the ruin of the previous program had to be leveled,  much of the dead weight carted off,  and the nebulous idea of how things were to change going forward, translated into concepts and communicated.   Year 2 is about creating the culture of a new order-- part of why these many suspensions are so important;   you establish the plan, you practice the plan, you play the plan, you love the plan-- and you punish deviation, so that there is focus only on the plan.     Year 3 will be learning how to translate knowing and doing the plan, into wins.   Year 4 will be about continuity of culture--  pretty much everyone in the program by the end of that year, will have known no other way.   

Year 2 has moved on ahead of schedule, with a few minor bumps.   Maybe they can  begin to learn how to win, in some of the opportunities before them, and get a jump start on year 3--- but this team is hardly behind schedule.

[BartIV]

I suppose it depends on how you define the end point, as to how long the rebuilding project is going to take.

There is a logical arc to the development of a program from the bottom up;  year 1 was all about slash and burn--  the ruin of the previous program had to be leveled,  much of the dead weight carted off,  and the nebulous idea of how things were to change going forward, translated into concepts and communicated.   Year 2 is about creating the culture of a new order-- part of why these many suspensions are so important;   you establish the plan, you practice the plan, you play the plan, you love the plan-- and you punish deviation, so that there is focus only on the plan.     Year 3 will be learning how to translate knowing and doing the plan, into wins.   Year 4 will be about continuity of culture--  pretty much everyone in the program by the end of that year, will have known no other way.   

Year 2 has moved on ahead of schedule, with a few minor bumps.   Maybe they can  begin to learn how to win, in some of the opportunities before them, and get a jump start on year 3--- but this team is hardly behind schedule.

I don't think the kicking game was put on this schedule you speak of

[IllinoisRazorbackFan]

I suppose it depends on how you define the end point, as to how long the rebuilding project is going to take.

There is a logical arc to the development of a program from the bottom up;  year 1 was all about slash and burn--  the ruin of the previous program had to be leveled,  much of the dead weight carted off,  and the nebulous idea of how things were to change going forward, translated into concepts and communicated.   Year 2 is about creating the culture of a new order-- part of why these many suspensions are so important;   you establish the plan, you practice the plan, you play the plan, you love the plan-- and you punish deviation, so that there is focus only on the plan.     Year 3 will be learning how to translate knowing and doing the plan, into wins.   Year 4 will be about continuity of culture--  pretty much everyone in the program by the end of that year, will have known no other way.   

Year 2 has moved on ahead of schedule, with a few minor bumps.   Maybe they can  begin to learn how to win, in some of the opportunities before them, and get a jump start on year 3--- but this team is hardly behind schedule.

Not for 3.2 million a season.  Ahead of schedule?  We haven't won a game!

[hogcard1964]

Key words and phrases for every thread:

Progress
2-6 years to rebuild
Patience
We shouldn't expect to win every game
Petrino caused our losses
Chaney's fault
Like our direction
Tough schedule

Lather, rinse, repeat

[BartIV]

Not for 3.2 million a season.  Ahead of schedule?  We haven't won a game!

i don't think wins were put on the schedule either. That is put on the back bottom page in small fine lettering "Wins to be determined"

[ErieHog]

Not for 3.2 million a season.  Ahead of schedule?  We haven't won a game!

We've won 3 games.   We're probably going to end up with 4, maybe 5 wins.    That's ahead of schedule, yes.

[Harleigh Hog]

5-6 years means he will have graduated two senior classes that he recruited into the program?! NO WAY!!

In year three (I will give you four because of the mess he inherited), this team based on our facilities and spending should be competing for a very decent bowl game.

[ErieHog]

I don't think the kicking game was put on this schedule you speak of

Progress is rarely uniform across all areas.   

[BartIV]

We've won 3 games.   We're probably going to end up with 4, maybe 5 wins.    That's ahead of schedule, yes.

You are killing your message man.

[VT HOG]

Mullen won 9 games his second year

[Idahog]

Doesn't matter he's not going anywhere!

We are headed in the right direction and will get there in the next year or two.

According to the OP we will get there in the next year or 6

[ErieHog]

You are killing your message man.

No, it is just a message that people don't want to hear.  They think 8+ win seasons just happen by natural entitlement,  no matter what condition the program starts off in, before the year.

'Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!'

[farmhawg]

Yup.  Burt needs to win a bowl game this year, I do not see that happening.

Even if he made it to a bowl, what makes you think he would win it?? He has won 33% of his bowl games.....

[hogcard1964]

No, it is just a message that people don't want to hear.  They think 8+ win seasons just happen by natural entitlement,  no matter what condition the program starts off in, before the year.

'Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!'

7-8 wins isn't over expecting.

[Hoggie17]

I think we had one other one from sometime like 1950-52.  Near that era.

...but yes, our football program has never been this awful.

Gotta give a little blane to the head man.

[ErieHog]

7-8 wins isn't over expecting.

It really, really is, in this environment.    The program has never required a bigger rebuild, nor faced a better level of competition against which to do it.   

If Bielema doesn't get to a bowl next year, then he'll start feeling the heat.

[farmhawg]

It really, really is, in this environment.    The program has never required a bigger rebuild, nor faced a better level of competition against which to do it.   

If Bielema doesn't get to a bowl next year, then he'll start feeling the heat.

Never a bigger rebuild? Really?

[hogcard1964]

Gotta give a little blane to the head man.

How dare you!!!!!   (speak honestly)

[ErieHog]

Never a bigger rebuild? Really?

Absolutely never.   Even the transfer from Crowe to Kines to Ford wasn't this steep a grade.   And rebuilds take time-- not one year, not even two years.  Time and patience-- the two things our fan base are dead set against giving anyone, to do anything.     Better to restart the clock, and bitch about the next guy having to change things around.   

[ErieHog]

Stop

The truth isn't a welcome thing to you, I understand.

[Hogfaniam]

5-6 years means he will have graduated two senior classes that he recruited into the program?! NO WAY!!

In year three (I will give you four because of the mess he inherited), this team based on our facilities and spending should be competing for a very decent bowl game.

A voice of sanity and reason