Schedule Gives Pittman Time to Fix What Ails Hogs

Mixed bag of great, downright awful on display against Western Carolina, but unlike other seasons, Arkansas Razorback coaches will have time to make adjustments

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Never has an absolute blowout that included scores from both sides of the ball and positive dramatics on special teams created more conflict. 

There was as equal of an opportunity to see the glass half empty as there was to see it half full in the Arkansas Razorbacks' 56-13 destruction of Western Carolina in Little Rock Saturday afternoon. Which side someone falls on may be determined as much by whether the game was watched on streaming or heard on the radio. Those who listened to the call probably came away feeling like kings, but those who watched it couldn't avoid several areas for concern. 

Considering so little was known about the Razorbacks coming into the game, breakdowns as to what was learned will be written ad nauseam. There will be praise for the receivers who accounted for 17 catches for 277 yards and four touchdowns, especially considering that was split between seven men. 

A lot of digital ink will be used on the four interceptions and fumble recovery, how so many freshmen stepped up and that perhaps the most exciting time in games this year will be one that is traditionally the most boring with Isaiah Sategna returning kicks. Writers and fans will do their best to put the 56 points into historical perspective as they glow in the moment. 

On the other side will be a lot of grunting and grumbling about Catamount receivers running wide open, the offensive line getting man-handled by an FCS school and the most explosive running game in America getting shut down. If Raheim Sanders was a dark horse for the Heisman, that ended Saturday when he rebounded from an awful first half to finish with 42 yards. There's also the endless string of nasty penalties and sloppy play as the ball bounced around way more than it should. 

But this is why the schedule is such an advantage for Arkansas coach Sam Pittman. It's hard to know whether Cincinnati would have beaten the Razorbacks had it been this team the Bearcats faced to open the season. There's just enough explosion for the Hogs to see a big win and just enough boggy mud to easily picture a loss. 

But the schedule didn't start with a playoff qualifier. It started with Western Carolina. The way the schedule lays out, the coaches get to evaluate the team and try to solve problems without extreme worry. It only gets slightly tougher next week as the Hogs get to stay home and step up from an FCS team to one of the worst Group of Five teams in the country in Kent State. There's a chance to fix the penalties and avoid free running receivers who only don't score because the quarterback doesn't see them. 

A lot of the problems from today can be greatly improved by next week. That is except the offensive line. There are a few things that can improve as the Hogs slowly step up in strength of opponent before lining up against LSU in late September, but getting overpowered by an FCS defensive line doesn't hint toward good things to come. 

There was enough shown Saturday to think this schedule can allow this staff to build a contender, especially next season. However, how this year plays out will rest squarely on the shoulders of the offensive line. 

Pittman is known for waving his magic wand and cranking out elite linemen, but he's not the o-line coach. He's the head coach. It will take much more focused film time to see if this is a strength built in the wrong places problem, a footwork problem, or issues with upper body technique. Some of that can be fixed in season and some can't.

Fortunately for Pittman, the one problem he doesn't have is a schedule problem. That's his greatest friend right now – a friend he hasn't had in years past. This is a team that has a lot of growing to do. One thing is for sure, it's not going to be boring at any point.

HOGS FEED:

TRANSFERS SHINE IN BLOWOUT OF WESTERN CAROLINA CATAMOUNTS

SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS YOU MISSED FROM THE ARKANSAS WIN OVER WESTERN CAROLINA

SLEEPING GIANT POISED TO WAKE UP, CAUSE RAZORBACKS TONS OF TROUBLE

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