With a quick glance, it’s easy to think the Arkansas Razorbacks were nothing more than a terrible football team last season. The 4-8 record, including a 1-8 record against Power Five teams, suggests as much.
But a deeper dive shows the Razorbacks weren’t that far away, something head coach Sam Pittman repeatedly emphasized at SEC Media Days, citing finishing games and consistency as the two keys to success.
Pittman: “We Have To Figure Out How To Win Close Games”
Arkansas lost eight games last year, but five were by seven points or less. Historically, teams are expected to win about 50% of their close games over time, with a few notable exceptions, but the Razorbacks finished 1-5 in one-score games in 2023.
With the exception of a three-point overtime victory against the Florida Gators, Arkansas struggled to close out close games. Most of those losses weren’t comebacks that came up short, either.
In three of those games, the Razorbacks were tied or leading with eight minutes to go, giving up the game-winning score and having multiple chances to tie or take the lead thereafter.
Against Alabama, the Razorbacks fell behind 24-6 in the first half, but pulled within three early in the fourth quarter, failing multiple times on offense to tie or take the lead later in the quarter. They trailed Mississippi State 7-3 at halftime and despite pitching a shutput in the second half, failed to do anything substantial on offense and lost by the same score.
So, at SEC Media Days, Pittman vowed that things would change.
“We have to finish the season better; we did not do that well (last year),” Pittman said. “We have to win close games.”
Pittman understands the numbers. He went on to explain that in the SEC, it’s not realistic to avoid close games and “win most of them by 21.” Instead, the team has to figure out how to turn that 1-5 record into 3-3, 4-2, or even 5-1.
A couple of late scores last year would have made the difference between Sam Pittman being on the hot seat and the fifth-year coach making four straight bowl games to start his tenure.
Pittman mentioned that the offensive line play should be more consistent this season. That would be a start, but the Razorbacks have to improve their fourth-quarter offense. Doing so would help them turn around after a forgettable 2023.
For Pittman, consistency is key.
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