As Arkansas continues its season of sadness, the end is here as the Missouri Tigers come to town. The bitter rival, forced upon all of us by the SEC, enters searching for its eighth win of the season, while Arkansas hopes to avoid a program-record tenth straight loss. As we have done all season, it is time for the three keys to success for Arkansas versus Missouri.
Three Keys to Success for Arkansas Against Missouri
Time On Our Side
The first key to success for Arkansas will be controlling the clock. The Tigers enter the game ranking 14th nationally and third in the SEC, in time of possession. In total, Missouri averages roughly thirty-two minutes per game. In order for Arkansas to slow down a dominant run game from the Tigers, this will be an important key to watch as the game transpires.
For the Hogs to do this, they must maintain possession, which has been an issue the last two seasons. If Arkansas allows the Tigers to get extra possessions, this could be a long afternoon in Fayetteville for Hog fans. Additionally, in this key, the Arkansas quarterback, Taylen Green, will need to be smarter with the football, as he has three turnovers in the last two contests.
On the ground, Arkansas has been led by Mike Washington Jr. The senior running back played excellently versus the Longhorns in a loss, all while being the second rusher to eclipse this yardage on the season. He has also seen some issues with possession, yet has been much cleaner as of late. Arkansas has leaned on him throughout this season, and Saturday, on Senior Day, it will be no different. The opening key to success is time, and it could be on the side of Arkansas.
For the Seniors
Next, the second key to success for Arkansas will be to send the group of seniors out with a trophy win. Fans in attendance will see 29 players take the field for the final time in the Razorbacks uniform. If the nine-game losing skid isnt enough to motivate this team, possibly this group of players is.
These young men have had the hardest season of anyone, coaches included. As we know, social media is full of half-brained, burner accounts that the entire schtick is to hate on players, coaches, and teams weekly. Even more concerning is that some of these pages break news that is completely fabricated.
This group will forever remember this season, no matter the wins achieved. Having to be a student-athlete in the system in place is no doubt challenging. This cannot go unnoticed, and a final game versus a rival is the perfect way to close a career in cardinal red while hearing a hog call. The second key to success is to play for the seniors.
For the Fans
Finally, Arkansas will need to play for the fans for success. Yes, this season has been atrocious for some to watch and cover. But, regardless of how bad this has been, there are still hardcore fans who will be inside Donald W Reynolds Stadium cheering loudly. When we say “hardcore”, we are referring to roughly 60,000 fans who fill the home of the Razorbacks every home game played.
More importantly, with the news of a possible new coach, this game is a litmus test to see where your fan base is from a happiness standpoint. Will this news provide a spark for the Hogs? We will soon find out. With these fans come more donations in the new era of N.I.L. in college sports.
This is where the Razorbacks have to clean things up, and quickly. From their AD making a fool of himself as the chair of the CFP. That man, Hunter Yurachek, must create a better image for himself for these fans to trust in him. After all, he is the leader of the athletic department. The final key to Arkansas’ success is possible to not see fully against Missouri, but we will learn much.
In closing, many may see this final game as the end of a disastrous season, and it has been. But the end can also be the beginning of something greater for Arkansas. A win over a rival is a great way to begin an off-season of transition and a new age of Arkansas football. For this to happen, these three keys for Arkansas’ success will need to be achieved at a high level throughout the game.
Main Image: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
