Let 'Em Play

by Stephen Expat on Sep 6, 2007 4:56 PM CDT in Arkansas Razorback Basketball

A couple of weeks ago, this blog applauded outgoing Athletic Director Frank Broyles for his belief that the LSU game should be played in Little Rock (we hear that this meant a lot to him). Now, however, we’d like to voice our displeasure with one of his other stances – his refusal to permit the Razorbacks to play other Arkansas schools.

We recognize this is a well-worn debate in Arkansas, but viewed from afar, it’s particularly baffling. I live in Atlanta, where the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game is perhaps the most anticipated sporting event of the year. Furthermore, those universities’ various teams periodically play those from other, smaller in-state schools, such as Georgia State and Georgia Southern. Even if the game is a mismatch, the geography factor gives it some appeal that would be absent from just any other ‘ole non-conference dust-up. In California, where John lives, intra-state match-ups are a vital part of the college sports landscape. Arkansans got a brief taste of how exciting such games can be in the 1987 NIT Tournament, when the Hogs stormed back from 20 points down to defeat Arkansas State in overtime.

It doesn’t have to take place every year, but a football game against Arkansas State would provide some excitement to a non-conference schedule that all too often is weighted down with the likes of North Texas and Tennessee-Chattanooga. Same goes for basketball – wouldn’t you be more interested in seeing the Hogs take on A-State, UALR, UAPB or Central Arkansas than most of the typical out-of-conference foes?

Not having really followed the issue in recent years, we’re not sure what the current stated and unstated reasons for not playing in-state schools are. But the fear that the U of A would suffer some sort of significant loss of prestige — if indeed this is a reason — by losing to one of these schools is pretty silly. This is a school whose football team lost to The Citadel of Division I-AA and whose basketball team lost to American-Puerto Rico of Division II. And yet, somehow, the program is in pretty good shape. It’s clear now that those losses were mere bumps in the road (well, maybe not to Jack Crowe).

Frank Broyles has been a forward-thinking AD in many ways. But on this issue, he’s way behind the times.

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Comments

The stated reasons/excuses for not playing these games remains that you could split the unanimous statewide support for the university. Drawing down Razorback fans while simultaneously growing opposing fan bases. I agree this is silly. In fact you tend to polarize and strengthen the opposing fan base by doing this. I believe that ASU and UALR have grown their fan bases recently for 2 reasons. One, recent fan unrest/disillusionment over the poor performance of the basketball team, and more importantly, the Springdale Five/Gus Situation. This leads to my second reason, the UA has and will continue to try to control all messaging regarding UA athletics. The three examples that spring to mind are the Nolan Firing, the ARSN play by play negotiations, and the recent canceling of the highly rated “Sports Week” on KATV. I tend to think this is peeling off more fans than playing ASU/UALR would. But what do I know. I’m just a lowly fan.

by Arkbear on Sep 6, 2007 5:50 PM CDT reply actions

all up in the controversy this week, huh.

by CharlieHog on Sep 6, 2007 8:26 PM CDT reply actions

Hi Charlie,

It’s all part of the blog certification process. We must make a minimum number of argument-starting postings to maintain our abundant local, state and federal funding.

Thanks for being a regular commentator. John and I really appreciate it.

—Stephen

by Stephen on Sep 6, 2007 9:31 PM CDT reply actions

i am an asu grad but a fervent hog fan here is my question, if people say that arkansas has nothing to gain by playing asu then why does south carolina play south carlina state and lsu plays tulane? frank broyles ancient theory of not playing in state schools is absurd. if they play 50 times asu might win once! and guess what hog fans won’t flock to be asu fans. quit pouring money into la. and texas! keep it here play the game in l.r. and fayetville put it on state-wide tv and get in the 21st century just like all the other major football schools do. go hogs!

by frank on Sep 11, 2007 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

Frank,when you graduated from ASU you must have not learned much about football. To say that ASU might beat UAF once in Fifty games is absurd. This year ASU has a better QB, a better secondary and a defense that held #4 Texas 4 downs from first and goal at the 3 yard line. UAF is coming off a good year, but before last year they have had losing record against the SEC teams since joining the conference!

by Jerald on Sep 11, 2007 7:02 PM CDT reply actions