Foundering Arkansas Razorbacks Host 11th-Ranked Auburn Tigers
Toward the end of a disappointing football season, the Arkansas Razorbacks schedule is going to get worse before it gets better.
Currently on a five-game losing streak, Arkansas welcomes 11th-ranked Auburn to Hogtown this Saturday.
”There comes a day when Groundhog Day isn’t entertaining,” Arkansas Razorbacks coach Brett Bielema said, invoking the Bill Murray comedy about perpetual suffering. ”You have to begin to move forward. You have to make decisions as coaches that you know are going to be in position to get yourself better.”
After being drowned 52-0 by the Alabama Crimson Tide, the Arkansas Razorbacks host the No. 2 team in the SEC West. Another thing Bielema didn’t find entertaining was the game film the Arkansas Razorbacks coaching staff received from Auburn. This isn’t the first run-in the Arkansas coach has had with Auburn coach Gus Malzahn; of course. The two jawed at the SEC media day when Malzahn called the Razorbacks’ coach’s concern for player safety “a joke” with his hurry-up, no-huddle style.
“I’m not a comedian,” Bielema responded.
With Jen Bielema’s feud with Jen Vrabel, college football fans have to wonder if there is anyone this household won’t take on?
Anyway, this Arkansas Razorbacks team is 0-4 in conference games and sits at the bottom of the SEC with only Kentucky to keep them company. Faithful fans expected Bielema to bring his punishing, crushing style from Wisconsin have instead seen a string of punishing, crushing Arkansas Razorbacks losses, the last three of which saw them outscored by a combined 134-17. Arkansas fans hope that can change against the fifth best rushing offense in college football.
“The No. 1 motivation in my opinion for us this week playing Auburn is to gain respect,” Bielema told the media. “Play the game the way you know you’re capable of playing, play a four-quarter game for these seniors. It’s the last time for them in Razorback Stadium. Give them something to walk out with their head high.”
What do you think of the Razorbacks’ 2013 season? How can the team turn it around? What does Arkansas need to do in order to get respect from this well-regarded Auburn team?
