Hogg-ed Determination

Like all football fans, I have stuck with my team through highs and lows. However, only a few fans truly know what it is to watch as your team defeats itself. Every year as an Arkansas Razorback fan I see a team that has the tools to win. Even when the Hogs have tough years, they often seem to be in the bigger games. Then one only has to sit back and watch as they shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and turnovers.

As always, this year Arkansas was the subject of high expectations. Most of our offensive tools had returned, the defense was bent on improving, and the maturity level of the team had been on an obvious rise. Winning the first road game of the season in dramatic fashion was especially enjoyable. Excitement could never have been higher than going into today's game against #1 Alabama. And it was paying off. The Razorbacks came out firing, and even though Alabama answered at first, Arkansas was on top going into the half. Most of the third quarter looked great as well, with the Hogs holding onto the ball for the first seven minutes and scoring - though not a touchdown - making the day look like revenge for Alabama's 35-7 victory last year. However, everything went downhill from there. The Arkansas defense stopped putting pressure on Greg McElroy, a couple of dropped Arkansas passes, two interceptions - though Mallett's decision on the second was a good one - and an inability to get the ball back with a minute left in the game spelled doom for the Hogs against the #1 team. Describing the feeling of dejection and pain is impossible.

Here's the good news: Arkansas is still strong. The talk the last few weeks has been about the maturity of the team. Now is the time to show that maturity. Put this game behind you, prepare for the next one. Forget about the mistakes, play to the highest level the rest of the way. The only way to get through this league is through determination and sound play. That's what the Razorbacks need now and that's what fans will not only hope for but expect. Because those expectations are everything a fan needs.