Update from Arkansas

[fulltiltporker]

Thought the Tide Fans on your board would enjoy an update and perspective of the going ons in Arkansas this week about the game this weekend.

The local radio and TV stations are commenting that this is the biggest game in Arkansas since the 1969 Texas / Arkansas "Big Shootout". That was the year that ABC sports had the foresight to re-schedule that game as the last game of the season before the season started and Texas came in #1...undefeated and Arkansas came in #2....undefeated. Of course Texas won a heartbreaker 15 - 14 with a fourth quarter comeback.

Tickets to the game are unheard of in these parts. Our place holds 72,000 but you can bet they will get 73,000 to 74,000 in there standing room only. Should be a very loud crowd but nothing your boys aren't used to.

The Arkansas AD has called for a "Red Out" for this game. Traditionly, you see a lot of white with red trim as well as red with white trim at our games. Probably the same as your home games. Will be interesting to see how well the crowd over here pulls it off.

I have watched some players and coaches interviewed this week and they seem to be confident but not cocky. Seems to be a little different mindset than the past few years with a big game on the line. Believe me though, our guys have tremendous respect for your squad but they believe in themselves and their coaches too.

I think as the rest of the week progresses, it will get to a fever pitch over here. Everyone is excited to say the least.

Good luck this weekend and I hope it is a well played injury free game.

 

[derek4tide]

Thought the Tide Fans on your board would enjoy an update and perspective of the going ons in Arkansas this week about the game this weekend.

The local radio and TV stations are commenting that this is the biggest game in Arkansas since the 1969 Texas / Arkansas "Big Shootout". That was the year that ABC sports had the foresight to re-schedule that game as the last game of the season before the season started and Texas came in #1...undefeated and Arkansas came in #2....undefeated. Of course Texas won a heartbreaker 15 - 14 with a fourth quarter comeback.

Tickets to the game are unheard of in these parts. Our place holds 72,000 but you can bet they will get 73,000 to 74,000 in there standing room only. Should be a very loud crowd but nothing your boys aren't used to.

The Arkansas AD has called for a "Red Out" for this game. Traditionly, you see a lot of white with red trim as well as red with white trim at our games. Probably the same as your home games. Will be interesting to see how well the crowd over here pulls it off.

I have watched some players and coaches interviewed this week and they seem to be confident but not cocky. Seems to be a little different mindset than the past few years with a big game on the line. Believe me though, our guys have tremendous respect for your squad but they believe in themselves and their coaches too.

I think as the rest of the week progresses, it will get to a fever pitch over here. Everyone is excited to say the least.

Good luck this weekend and I hope it is a well played injury free game.

Please thank him for us. We love "______-out games", just ask Mississippi State and Georgia.

 

[tiber]

The pressure of the moment will play into the outcome more than the talent matchups on the field IMO.

Psychology FTW...

 

[bamanut_aj]

Please thank him for us. We love "______-out games", just ask Mississippi State and Georgia.

I give 'em credit for at least wearing their color and not black.

 

[CapitalTider]

The local radio and TV stations are commenting that this is the biggest game in Arkansas since the 1969 Texas / Arkansas "Big Shootout". That was the year that ABC sports had the foresight to re-schedule that game as the last game of the season before the season started and Texas came in #1...undefeated and Arkansas came in #2....undefeated. Of course Texas won a heartbreaker 15 - 14 with a fourth quarter comeback.

Wait, wait, I thought it WASN'T a "once in a lifetime game." Your local news outlets obviously don't know what they are talking about. :biggrin:

 

[Jazzman]

I think as the rest of the week progresses, it will get to a fever pitch over here. Everyone is excited to say the least.

Good luck this weekend and I hope it is a well played injury free game.

Thanks for the kind words. We're pretty excited over here too. I'm looking forward to a great game while I over-eat all day long... :biggrin2:

 

[tiber]

Wait, wait, I thought it WASN'T a "once in a lifetime game." Your local news outlets obviously don't know what they are talking about. :biggrin:

They're just as credible as the media outlets we're currently laughing at from AL. The AR sports media is routinely derided by it's own readership as we wonder in amazement how they retain their jobs.

Do you think the knowledgeable fan is thinking this way?
Google "The Stoernover". Still cuts me deep...

 

[RTR91]

The pressure of the moment will play into the outcome more than the talent matchups on the field IMO.

Psychology FTW...

Let's see... How has Bama doen under pressure? I like our chances if the pressure of the moment comes into play.

 

[tiber]

Let's see... How has Bama doen under pressure? I like our chances if the pressure of the moment comes into play.

No doubt... that comment was largely regarding our own team being in an unfamiliar position. That applies for your secondary too however. :wink:

 

[kyallie]

Thanks for the kind words. We're pretty excited over here too. I'm looking forward to a great game while I over-eat all day long... :biggrin2:

That's goes for me too! :biggrin:

 

[twofbyc]

It's not like this team hasn't played under pressure (at least, most of them); maybe not as starters, but most of them still played.
I do have a couple of questions for fulltilt (and I ask because I don't know):
Who is Mallett's backup? How many seniors do you guys have in the starting 22? I'm thinking, the way some are talking, this is the hogs' only shot at beating Bama anytime soon, and I just wanted to know, what kind of depth do you guys have? Do you have backups that can step in and play without losing much?

 

[RTR91]

No doubt... that comment was largely regarding our own team being in an unfamiliar position. That applies for your secondary too however. :wink:

Question - has CBP coached under some pressure? I know he did some things while at Louisville, but I'm talking about bigtime games similar to this game.

 

[CajunCrimson]

So, a Red Out to intimidate our players? (Umm...........news flash.........the colors are pretty close to our colors, not seeing it as a big......intimidation)

Psychologically speaking -- Dr Saban got his Football Degree in Psychology. He eats pressure sandwiches for lunch. He's coached multiple BIG games. "For All the Marbles" type games.

I think, ultimately Arkansas is putting so much pressure on themselves, it's crazy. You are putting your entire season on one game. One game vs Alabama......... it's crazy.

I love it.......because emotionally, your guys are going to be spent by halftime. Getting bulldozed by Richardson and Ingram isn't gonna be fun (for ya'll) in the 3rd and 4th quarters.......

I love it......maybe I should be worried......this game doesn't scare me even a little bit.

Bama 48
Pork Fried Rice 17

 

[bamanut_aj]

I would like someone who knows to answer whether the 'red out' is being done to scare, intimidate, confuse, etc. BAMA, or simply being done to show team spirit and root on their beloved hogs?

Methinks it's the 2nd one, but everyone here seems to want to belittle them for it, when we've done the same thing ourselves.

 

[fulltiltporker]

It's not like this team hasn't played under pressure (at least, most of them); maybe not as starters, but most of them still played.
I do have a couple of questions for fulltilt (and I ask because I don't know):
Who is Mallett's backup? How many seniors do you guys have in the starting 22? I'm thinking, the way some are talking, this is the hogs' only shot at beating Bama anytime soon, and I just wanted to know, what kind of depth do you guys have? Do you have backups that can step in and play without losing much?

Tyler Wilson is the backup. He is a redshirt sophmore. Pretty servicable QB but not much experience. This atmosphere would be way over his head.

Offense has 9 returning starters......5 seniors (tightend, fullback....when we use one, and 3 OLinemen).

Defense has 8 returning starters.......4 Seniors (2 safeties, 1 corner and one LB)

Other than QB, most experts have been looking to 2011 as "our year" as far as depth and talent goes. Arkansas is still a very, very young team. Two years ago we were the 2nd youngest team in D1 playing 17 true freshman. Last year those puppies were learning to bite a little as sophmores. They are Juniors this year with some very outstanding sophmores mixed in.

We could only dream that Mallett comes back as a senior next year. We would be LOADED!

 

[fulltiltporker]

I would like someone who knows to answer whether the 'red out' is being done to scare, intimidate, confuse, etc. BAMA, or simply being done to show team spirit and root on their beloved hogs?

Methinks it's the 2nd one, but everyone here seems to want to belittle them for it, when we've done the same thing ourselves.

I'm pretty sure it is just for the fans to feel involved in the game. It gives the fans something to get excited about and probably will sell some game day gear that has that "Officially Licensed" sticker which means the school makes a little $.

I think it just adds to the entertainment value of the price of a ticket as if collage football in the SEC isn't enough.

 

[mikes12]

I would like someone who knows to answer whether the 'red out' is being done to scare, intimidate, confuse, etc. BAMA, or simply being done to show team spirit and root on their beloved hogs?

Methinks it's the 2nd one, but everyone here seems to want to belittle them for it, when we've done the same thing ourselves.

It also has to do with merchandise. It sells a lot of shirts leading up to the game. (Particularly when they play in non-traditional colors, like MSU's blackout.)

 

[mikes12]

Do you think the knowledgeable fan is thinking this way?
Google "The Stoernover". Still cuts me deep...

Me too. I hated that UT won it all that year. Arkansas should've beaten MSU for the western division and likely would've then beaten Tennessee in the rematch.

 

[happytidefan]

Thanks for the kind words. We're pretty excited over here too. I'm looking forward to a great game while I over-eat all day long... :biggrin2:

Don't mean to hijack, but glad to know I'm not the only one who does this....I've packed on 2 pounds since the start of football....must be all that finger food and cocktail(ssss).

 

[bamanut_aj]

I'm pretty sure it is just for the fans to feel involved in the game. It gives the fans something to get excited about and probably will sell some game day gear that has that "Officially Licensed" sticker which means the school makes a little $.

I think it just adds to the entertainment value of the price of a ticket as if collage football in the SEC isn't enough.

It also has to do with merchandise. It sells a lot of shirts leading up to the game. (Particularly when they play in non-traditional colors, like MSU's blackout.)

That's my point. I don't see why we're making fun of arky for encouraging their fans to wear their colors; regardless of whether they are close to our colors. It's not like their asking them to wear black or camo or whatever. It's college football. It's fanaticism. It's supporting your team.

What? Suddenly we're too cool for that?