Now or Never: Sam Pittman, Hogs Return Home to Salvage Season

Leeway wearing thin as Razorbacks look for first win in conference play on Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Reality. Arkansas can only afford one loss for bowl eligibility. The team certainly doesn't want to burn its one mulligan this weekend when the Razorbacks come home for the first time in over a month. 

"We want to go to a bowl and we need to win," Hogs coach Sam Pittman said Wednesday afternoon. "Again, I don’t want to get crucified because I’m sitting here and [some say] 'Well, all he wants to do is go to bowls.' It’s reality. It ain’t what we wanted, but it’s reality."

WATCH SAM PITTMAN'S COMPLETE PRESS CONFERENCE WEDNESDAY

Reality is the offensive line has been poor seven games into the year. Pittman admits that the lack of experience up front has caused its fair share of issues and is still a work in progress.

"It’s very hard where we’re at right now on the offensive side of the football not to have at least two days of physical [practice]," Pittman said. "Trying to get those fits right, trying to get the timing right, all that stuff. If we were a veteran offensive line up there I may do a little bit less, but we certainly still need all that work."

Reality is being on the road is tough and no one is looking forward to getting back inside the familiar sights and sounds of Donald W. Reynolds Stadium than Pittman. 

"I don’t," Pittman said chuckling when asked if he remembers what to do with a Saturday home game.  "But like I said, boy, our grass looks good in the home stadium, so the fans will be able to see a really nice, good-looking field."

Reality is this game might affect more than just this season as spending over 40 days away from home has a negative effect on recruiting. Pittman had quite the analogy for that, comparing potential future Hogs to a girlfriend. 

"Let’s face the facts," Pittman said. "In order to keep your girlfriend, and you don’t see her for weeks and she’s had the chance to see this guy, this guy and this guy, she’s going to leave you, unless you’re whoever. Elvis Presley or whoever."

Reality is this team is running out of reasons not to win, better known as excuses. The reality is if the Razorbacks don't win this game, the rest of their season is, for all meaningful purposes, over. It would be a tough sell to even the most loyal fanatic that a 4-0 run against Florida, Auburn, Florida International and Top 25-ranked Missouri is even possible, let alone plausible or likely. 

"You have to give back," Pittman said. "We’ve got to win. What it says is that they still believe in the kids and we’re exciting to watch and things of that nature. They’re loyal to the University of Arkansas and the state. Says a lot about our fanbase. We are very appreciative of them and we need to give them a win to show how much we appreciate them."

The Razorbacks will search for that elusive win against Mississippi State 11 a.m. Saturday Oct. 21. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and fuboTV. 

HOGS FEED:

HOGS' OFFENSE NEEDS TO GET ONE COMPONENT BACK TO KICK INTO GEAR WITH SEASON GOING FAST

BIG DRINKS, SUPPORTIVE COACH HELPS PUNTER MAX FLETCHER ADJUST 9,000+ MILES FROM HOME

SEC ROUND-UP: COACH BREAKS FOOT IN ANGER, NEW YORK ANCHOR ENCOURAGES A&M TO FIRE JIMBO FISHER

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