The Butler Did It–This, Too, Shall Pass
Posted by Adam Butler on September 27, 2010
Down, but not out?
Alabama 24 Arkansas 20
This, too, shall pass.
Unfortunately, when it needed to most on Saturday, Arkansas could not.
With number-one ranked, defending national champion Alabama on the ropes, down 20-7 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter and a record-setting crowd of 76,808 in a frenzy, the Razorbacks needed one, final knockout blow.
Instead, UA quarterback and Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallett and the rest of the Hogs offense left themselves open for a counterpunch, and the Crimson Tide delivered.
While Mallett and company sputtered in the second half and failed to convert a single third down, Alabama reverted to its trademark, smash-mouth offense, and capitalized on a couple of gifts from Mallett, who showed that he (like most QBs) hasn’t quite shaken his tendency to make critical mistakes under pressure from a pass rush.
But, chances are, if you are reading this, you already knew all of that. If not, you, have at the very least heard plenty of Monday morning quarterbacking around the water cooler, as legions of Razorback fans have already begun to revert to old, seemingly reliable Hog-fan maxims like, “we’re still a few years away”, “they tested our team’s manhood and it failed”.
While those refrains may provide handy crutches on Mondays like today, they don’t happen to be true, in this instance.
Arkansas isn’t a few years away from being a championship caliber football team. It is few plays away. The Razorbacks went to-toe with the Alabama– #1 team in America that hasn’t lost a regular season game in over 2 years–and led nearly wire-to-wire.
The Hogs had the same number of yards (421), more sacks, and one less turnover (Both 3 to Bama’s 2) . And, they did so without coming close to playing a perfect game.
Saturday’s near-miss was not the result of some confluence of magical, improbable events. Alabama did not make a string of critical mistakes to hand Arkansas its golden opportunity.
And, while Alabama drew a holding penalty (it’s 2nd in the last 54 quarters it has played) the Tide didn’t shoot itself in the foot with penalties that gave Arkansas a viable chance to emerge victorious.
Arkansas almost won despite a fairly uneven performance. The Hogs committed some crucial penalties and their potential All-SEC receivers—Greg Childs and Joe Adams–didn’t help Mallett at all in the second half by dropping routine, drive-sustaining passes.
The difference in the game was that Alabama’s superstar—2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram– churned out yards (157 on 24 carries) when he had to, and Arkansas’ superstar—Mallett–for seemingly the only time in his career—took too much off of a pass (that he intended to throw out of bounds), capping a disappointing second half.
But let’s not make this something it wasn’t. It was not a poor effort by the Arkansas defense (or offense, for that matter).
The Arkansas defense held Alabama to 20 points (despite Alabama being given a short field on Mallett’s second interception) and gave up the same number of yards (including a stat-skewing, 53-yard run by Trent Richardson at the end of the first half) as the Alabama defense that is often spoken about in reverential tones, nationally.
Those who wish to pin the loss on Arkansas’ manhood, or more subtly, on its inability to shut down Alabama’s rushing attack should realize that the Crimson Tide rushes on everyone, just as Arkansas (as it proved Saturday) passes on everyone.
Bama has a massive, skilled offensive line and two extremely good running backs (who will both play and play well on Sundays). The Tide averaged 5.7 per rush against Arkansas. Last year, Ingram averaged 6.1 yards a carry and Richardson averaged 5.2. In 2009, Bama averaged 5.5, 4.6 and 4.7 yards per rush against Virginia Tech, LSU and Florida–probably the three best defenses they played.
So, if the loss was a matter of manhood, Bama has been playing against boys (and in the case of Mississippi, girls) for a long time, now.
But, Arkansas didn’t lose because it wasn’t “man enough” to beat Alabama. It lost because, while Bama did what it does well in the second half, Arkansas didn’t.
The good news is that contrary to the opinion of the inherently inferiority-complex plagued Hog fan base, Arkansas showed Saturday that it is a Top 10-caliber team. It just lost to a better Top 10 team. It happens. There is no shame in it.
Another silver lining of sorts is that by SEC standards, the Razorback schedule will now soften a little. But, it won’t be easy. Arkansas should be favored in most of its remaining games (with road games at Auburn and South Carolina being the exceptions, and both of those games should be tossups) but will have to play well to escape Jordan-Hare and Williams-Brice Stadium.
That is when the Hogs’ manhood actually will be challenged–when they have to set aside this bitter loss and try to run the table.
Chances are, this will either (depending on the outcome of those 2 games) be an exciting, tantalizing and somewhat frustrating 9-3 team, or it will prove to be a resilient, program-changing 10+ win squad.
With one of the best offenses in the country, an improved defense, and an uber-talented quarterback that came back to school to prove his mettle in big games, the Razorbacks should show the nation they are more than a passing fancy.
And when they do, this, too, (even as painful as it is) shall pass.
16 Responses to “The Butler Did It–This, Too, Shall Pass”
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Lynn said
I think most people had this game as a loss- what makes it hard is that the Hawgs were in control for almost 4 whole quarters. Some plays that pretty much took the game away (at least in my mind): the interception in the back of end zone after driving the length of the field; back-to-back false start penalties that killed a drive; the drops by Adams and Childs in the 4th qtr; and of course the 2 interceptions in the 4th qtr.
Everyone know Bama would/could run the ball. I thought we help McElroy and Jones in check. I do not understand the infatuation with Jones. Especially over Adams and Childs.
The loss was tough, but not unexpected. I think that both teams hardest games are behind them, not that the road ahead is a cake walk, but I like our chances in the remaining games. This loss could be a great teaching moment for the coaches- in my best HDN voice, have to play all 4 quarters men.
BTW- did anyone see what Bequette did to Ingram to make him almost go postal at the end of the game? I know Bequette threw him off of the pile, but Ingram tried to go after him on the field and looked like a toddler on the side line.
Adam Butler said
Bequette didn’t just throw him of the pile, he slung him, in the air, a decent distance. I was suprised out how far he threw him. It obviously made Ingram mad. I wish Bequette would have been able to throw him like that behind the LOS (during plays) a few times.
Kris with no INT said
Lynn, nobody outside of the state of Alabama and the media understands the infatuation with Julio Jones.
Bequette tossed Ingram to the ground like a ragdoll. The toss “disrespected” Ingram which led to the Milton Bradley-esque meltdown.
It took me all of the ride home to talk myself out of being disappointed. Fact is I am fine now. The Butler Did It is the yin to my yang thinking over the past 36 hours.
I now come away with two thoughts:
1. Alabama is great, but not as actually as great as I thought they were, even with a win. McElroy is not “the best QB in the country” as BAMA Fan tried to convince everyone. He is not even close. Their defense is a shell of what it was last year. I think they will lose at least one more game this year; 2 or 3 if the SEC East had not have converted into JUCO’s during the offseason.
2. We are better than I thought. Even with a loss I think that. Our defense can man up. Yes, they ran on us, but they probably have the best OL in the country and without a doubt the best running backs in the country. Our offense can score on anybody. Make no mistake. Our offense stopped itself. Penalties, drops and INT’s sealed the deal.
An 11-1 finish with a Sugar Bowl birth is a realistic finish. EVERY Hog fan in the country would have happily taken that at the beginning of the season… and should still be ready to jump on it now.
Rob Featherston said
Nice read, A.B.
There’s no two ways about it – the Hogs HAVE to establish a semblance of a running game to put away good teams in close games. We’ve seen this the last two weeks in the fourth quarter. Let’s hope it can get fixed, or at least improved, before the trip to Auburn in two weeks.
Adam Butler said
Thanks, Rob. I agree about the running game. But, I don’t think it has to be great–just somewhat effective (at the right time) –something along the lines of the ratio that you see for most NFL teams. Knile Davis showed some promise, and IMO, he has the best overall skill set of the remaining RBs. Maybe the lightbulb has come on and he will grab control of that position.
For him, more than anything, I think it’s about him knowing the protections (and his role in them).
Jeff said
Knile, my man. Where have you been all my life?
Big day Saturday AND he has the added bonus of being the namesake (but for a silent ‘K’) as the greatest Iowa Hawkeye of all time.
Adam Butler said
Kelsey Grammar’s brother on “Frasier” was a Hawkeye?
Jeff said
Blasphemer!
I hereby revoke your permission to drive through Iowa. Had I known this, I would have had the brownies (Iowa state troopers drive poop-brown cars) pull you over on your way to Chicago!!
Maukavelli said
Great read, AB. Well said, and I wish this would get wider dissemination beyond your fans here on BH.
The most shocking thing to me after spending two days thinking and reading about the loss is the sheer volume of fans who have used the words “choke”, “selfish”, and “horrible” in describing Ryan Mallett. Maybe I just happen to be seeing the same guy over and over again, but the word selfish has been used on at least 4 different “comment boards” that I’ve seen.
While I even said that the loss could be pinned on him in my post-game thoughts, I in no way meant to disparage the guy. Like the old adage, you’ve got to dance with the one who brung ya’, I just can’t fathom how anyone in their right mind could suggest that Ryan Mallett was being selfish, trying to drive up his stats and is just another “product of the system.”
I even have a lawfully-recognized family member who shall remain nameless who sent a text message to my wife saying that he hoped that proved to me that “Ryan Mallett isn’t a great QB.” Huh?!? Did he make mistakes? Yep. Is it even close without him? Nope. I guess we’ll all realize how great he is once he’s gone next year and the offense isn’t as good. It’s just baffling to me to say he choked, he’s selfish, and he’s not a great QB.
Stats aside, am I missing something in my admiration of RM? I’m willing to listen.
Brain said
Very good, Butler.
No Mauk, I can’t understand it either. Especially since it is coming from the very same fan base that STILL puts another certain 6-6 QB born that was born and raised in the state on a damn pedastal as being the best player the UA has had (regardless of position) when he was more notorious for giving away wins with careless turnovers. I would classify him as being more selfish than Mallett due to his nonchalant, lackidasicle, I don’t give a crap about practice attitude. At least Mallett is, by all accounts of Petrino and McGee who shoot things straight, a dedicated student of the game. You think “Snow” Jones had the same demeanor after the 2004 TX game as Mallett did Saturday?
Kris with no INT said
“hoped that proved to me that “Ryan Mallett isn’t a great QB.” ”
Whoever said that is the same type of person that vomits dumb sports lingo to prove how dumb they are.
Lynn, Bequette slung Ingram like a ragdoll (LITERALLY). Ingram was “disrespected” and then did his best Milton Bradley impression on the sideline. It was the only thing that made me smile in the 4th quarter.
Great job, AB. The Butler Did It was the yin to my last 36 hours of yang.
I learned two things:
1. BAMA is great, but not as great as I thought even though they won. McElroy is nowhere CLOSE to “the best QB in college” that BAMA fan unsuccessfully tried to convince everyone he is. Their defense is a shell of what it was last year. I see at least one loss for BAMA and 2-3 losses if the SEC East was not doing their best JUCO impersonation.
2. We are better than I thought. Even in a loss. Our D stepped up. Yes, BAMA ran on us, especially in the 4th. however, BAMA has one of the best OL’s (if not the best) in college football and the best running backs in college football. We can score on anyone.
If you would have told any Hog fan that we would be 3-1 after BAMA and we had a realistic shot of 11-1 with a Sugar Bowl birth; everybody would have taken that.
Adam Butler said
Thanks a lot for the kind words, guys. We spend a lot more time on these columns (and the blog in general) than we should. Maukavelli, as for”wider dissemination” beyond the millions of fans we have here on BlogHawgs, I’ve got two words: Mass email.
*I* can’t do it becuse that would make me look self important. But, BlogHawgs Nation can spread its wings with impunity.
As for Mallett, nothing suprises me, anymore. He’s one of the best QBs in the country, he has professed his long-held love for the program. He came here when he could have gone anywhere in the country (and only originally went elsewhere originally because the former coach had about 3 pass plays in the playbook and had him at at Tight End during his camps) but came here.
He’s so selfish that he passed up millions, even though there may be a work stoppage next year, so that he could come back and try to win a championship. And now, at the first bump in the road, despite putting up 350+ yards against a defense the same naysayers talk about as if they are the Purple People Eaters, he’s a selfish bum.
Those are the same people who ripped Darren McFadden and called him a thug. Those are the same people who hated Batman Carroll, even though he also could have gone anywhere in the country and was one of the rare such athletes with no discernible ties to the state or the program, who chose to be a Hog during the previous regime, and was rewarded with pretty much constant scorn, eventhough he played well enough to be All-SEC and a 1st-round NFL draft pick.
Those same people are also probably the same ones who called Clint Stoerner a loser after he fumbled at Tennessee in 1998, and, if they are old enough, probably called Bill Montgomery the same after he and the Hogs lost “The Big Shootout” to Texas in 1969, even though Montgomery has the best winning percentage(.875) of any Arkansas quarterback over a 3 years span.
I don’t think this phenomenon is unique to Arkansas, but it feels that way. I am frankly sick of this and hope that those of us with at least half a brain in our heads keep those kind of fans in the vocal, annoying, uninformed minority.
After much thought Kris said
Here is the reason we lost:
Two words:
No flyover.
Thanks a lot Bin Laden.
Adam Butler said
Ironically, Maukavelli, WordPress has recently added sharing features that I have now stumbled upon and added to our site. So general dissemination should go up. Would that be considered artificial dissemination?
Kris with no INT said
Tweeted, AB. And my Tweets go to my roughly 100 followers and 400 LinkedIn connections. Widespread dissemination indeed.
Adam Butler said
Thanks–Kris. Widespread Dissemination continues!