Arkansas 2013 Bowl Chances: RIP August 2013-November 2013

Hog fans, I don't really know where to begin here. I've been writing posts about losing efforts a lot these last two seasons, as we all have here at our blog, and I have gone down the low negative road of frustration and the high things will get better road of look to the future, probably more of the former than the latter, I admit. However, I don't feel like writing either at the moment. I am in more of a things are just the way they are and I can't do much to change it mood.

I will go to the Mississippi State game and cheer the Hogs as they come out on the field in two weeks. I'll do that. I'll holler loud when Mississippi State has the ball. I'll high five some strangers when / if (I expect we will) we score. And I will be glad to see the Hogs end a losing streak with a win and keep Mississippi State from getting their first win against us from within our state's borders. If we play another poorly played game and lose to the Bulldogs, I will be bummed out, but just as the good feeling from the win will fade fast upon reflection about the season as a whole, the loss's sting won't be as sharp seeing as how many losses have already bitten me. I guess what I am describing is a state of numbness setting in. Is this apathy? Or is it some type of wisdom? I am not for sure.

I do know that I did something Saturday that this second poor season has brought me to. I walked out on the Hogs in the second half after Small scored a touchdown. I had an opportunity to go see Oklahoma State play Kansas, and I took it. I work for Oklahoma State. My students are in the band and on the team. And I've wished the Cowboys well every fall, but I didn't grow up pulling for them, and I don't have a degree from here, so I would say that a deep emotional attachment is lacking when it comes to me and the Pokes. But I have grown so sick and tired of seeing the Razorbacks play poorly and their coaches under-perform that I left the television behind and got behind a winning effort for a change on Saturday as the Cowboys beat lowly Kansas 42-6.

Though the Cowboys weren't always sharp on the field, they and their coaching staff did not for four quarters work at beating themselves. They executed football plays and didn't turn a lesser opponent into a world beater. Kansas had no players with a career day on Saturday. It was refreshing to witness.

I found out the Arkansas vs. Ole Miss final score from a text sent by my brother. Was happy to see the additional seven points, but that was about it. I later read accounts of the poor tackling, poor pass defense, poor play calling of the second half and "disgusted" is probably the right adjective. Then followed the "it is what it is."And, hey, at least our bowl record won't get any worse!

The 2013 Bowl Chances, that is dead. But 2014? We haven't lost a game there yet, haha. And that is where we will put our weekly poll question. Do you think the Hogs will make it to a bowl in year two of the Bielema era? Here's the schedule:

Saturday Aug. 30		at Auburn Tigers Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL	TBA	---
Saturday Sept. 6		Nicholls State Colonels Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Sept. 13		at Texas Tech Red Raiders Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX	TBA	---
Saturday Sept. 20		Northern Illinois Huskies Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Sept. 27		Texas A&M Aggies AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX	TBA	---
Saturday Oct. 4	---	Open Date	---	---
Saturday Oct. 11		Alabama Crimson Tide Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Oct. 18		Georgia Bulldogs Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Oct. 25		UAB Blazers Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Nov. 1		at Mississippi State Bulldogs Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, MS	TBA	---
Saturday Nov. 8	---	Open Date	---	---
Saturday Nov. 15		LSU Tigers Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Nov. 22		Ole Miss Rebels Fayetteville or Little Rock, AR	TBA	---
Saturday Nov. 29		at Missouri Tigers Faurot Field, Columbia, MO	TBA	---
Saturday Dec. 6		SEC Championship Game Georgia Dome, Atlanta, GA	TBA	-

Honestly, at this point, I only see two certain wins on the schedule, Nicholls State and UAB. Where will the other four wins come from? I leave you, scratching my head. If a bowl season is to come next year, we can't look like who we've been this year and the year before. Only the coaching staff, the new recruits, and the returning players can make that change happen. As a fan, I'll be back, for sure. But come on guys, give this fan something to cheer about!