I keep telling myself to resist blogging about the Razorbacks. Everyone has an opinion on Bret Bielema's team, which is miles ahead of where it was a year ago but still back in the pack in the SEC West.
I'm not a football coach. I do love the game, though, and relish my position as sports writer because it gives me direct access to brilliant football minds like Scott Reed and John Panter. I can't even explain some of the facial expressions I used to get from Panter when I'd ask why the 1-5-5 defense I kill with on Xbox wouldn't work in real life. I also enjoy talking with Reed about why he did this or why this kid plays over that one. I love to talk football but I also listen and learn.
So, I consider myself slightly more knowledgeable than the average Hog fan hollering about every play that doesn't work. Some fools are even suggesting Bielema's job is on the line.
Are you crazy?
Bielema is doing great. He's elevated the talent and establishing a style of football that will be competitive in the toughest league in the country. Honestly, I can't wait until all of the guys who were there when he arrived, graduate. I just think there's a little bit of loser mentality left in the locker room from the previous regime.
As for the team's other fall guy, no, I don't believe quarterback Brandon Allen is the reason the Hogs are losing in the SEC. He's not losing games. The problem is, he's not winning games, either.
Allen is a leader, a good player with a great attitude and the ultimate home-town, home-grown Razorback. But, when it comes to the SEC and quarterbacks, he's just a guy. You can win in the SEC with just a guy at quarterback but only if he's surrounded by NFL personnel.
When you pair up just a guy at quarterback and just a bunch of dudes at wide receiver, you end up with a one-dimensional, run-heavy team that can push opponents around but can't knock them out. The top teams in the SEC have quarterbacks who can take over games, who can win games in the fourth quarter. Texas A&M's QB made plays to beat Arkansas in the fourth quarter. So, did Bama's and, if the Hogs play Mississippi State close this Saturday, the Bulldogs' quarterback will make the play down the stretch that breaks the hearts of the Razorbacks.
I was excited when Arkansas signed the Peavy kid because he looked like a play maker. I don't know what it says that he's a third-teamer, right now, because I don't think the younger Allen is the answer, either. To be fair, Arkansas' talent at receiver is in worst shape than the quarterback position.
But, until Bielema gets the right guy to pull the trigger to the offense, it's going to be difficult getting over the hump in the SEC.
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