Hold onto.... Something

So we lost. We are 5 – 3 consisting of a 1-3 record in the toughest conference… toughest division in NCAA history. We are going to take our lumps, however some of us would prefer to do it without all of your whining.

Yes, we got absolutely obliterated at Auburn. No excuses. We were not the better team on the field that night. We have also lost to Alabama and to Texas A&M in the 2016 season. These teams, my fellow Razorback fans, are three of the top programs in the nation right now.

Granted, the loss to Auburn was embarrassing and tough to watch. Many people did not like Gus Malzahn before Saturday night’s game. Also, a lot of people (that did not root for the Saints on Friday nights) were not big fans of Rhett Lashlee’s even from his high school days. Even more cannot stand the mere mention of their names now. Simply stated, if you feel like you have hate in your heart, and you have no choice but to direct it at someone in the college football realm, point it at these two. Direct it at Nick Saban. If you are out of options, point it at “Razorbackers.com’s” very own Chris Jackson.

I used to defend the Arkansas fan base when Chris Jackson would talk about how entitled we feel. How we have such high expectations that no coach in the country could ever completely accomplish. And how we believe that just because we have some of the nicest facilities in the NCAA that we should compete for a national championship year in and year out. Gracious, my fellow HOGS fans, looking now it’s almost impossible for me to not break KAYFABE and agree with him.

“Fire Bret Bielema”

“Get rid of our coach, we knew he wasn’t a great fit when Jeff Long brought him in.” Are you kidding me right now, Mr. Anonymous Fan? You were singing his praises when we beat Ole Miss a week ago. However, the week before that, you had your guillotine sharpened before halftime of the Alabama game. Get over yourself. Bret Bielema (who is a nominee for the Paul Bear Bryant Coach of the Year Award) has a lot of respect throughout based on his coaching skills. He’s also considered by many abroad to be one of the kindest, caring coaches to his players.

“That [insert player name here] doesn’t need to be out on the field!”

Yes, he does. Just like that cheerleader needs to be on the sideline. Just like the trombone players need to be in the stands playing the fight song. Have you forgotten that this is a game for these student-athletes, many of whom would have no option to attend classes and get a degree otherwise? Whether you like it or not, Bielema is a great coach, and I firmly believe that he chooses whom he wants to play based on their talent and skill-set.

“Well, then he should recruit better.”

Yes, that is it. That is the answer. You have officially solved all of the Razorback Football Program’s woes. ‘We should freaking recruit better”… Now why in the world did Coach Bielema and his staff not think of this? Why Arkansas is a five-star program – they should be able to walk into any living room in the country and say, “Hey, we are Arkansas, we are going to allow you to play for us. See you in the Spring kid.”

Wrong. No one loves this state, its people, and the Razorbacks more than I do. Yet even I have to be a realist and know that we are not the desire of every blue chip recruit. Furthermore, we are not, unfortunately, the program that you see mentioned in every credit card commercial. Yes, we are Arkansas, and we have “a very rabid fan base”, however, said fans need to realize that we have our limitations and our place. And if we are to make it back to the elite, we are going to take a few bumps along a long, time-consuming road.

My take: Stop whining

You’re not the Cajun Justin Wilson, the more you whine, the more it hurts us. We mentioned before that recruits take notice. And, honestly, whether you want to open your eyes and believe this or not, coaches take notice. Yes, without acting like a message board junkie with a “my sources are telling me this” arrogance, there have been coaches in the past that have stated that they do not want to coach here because the expectations are too high. Take that, however, you choose to, with a grain (who a whole tablespoon full) of salt or as gospel. Just think about it the next time that you call into Bo Mattingly, post to your favorite message board under your most clever moniker, or even feel the need to break out a hashtag and voice your displeasure over “the Tweeter”.

Oh, at least one fan has shown Bret Bielema some love:

You’re either a Razorback fan through thick and thin or you’re not. Frankly, while some games do deserve some criticism, those of that you that whine after every loss has made me sick. It’s all that I can do to not hop online and question your job performance at the local Jiffy Lube. Whatever ship that we are fighting right now, the players and coaches need your support. So climb back aboard, we have Florida to welcome to ‘The Hill’. Let’s show our athletes how much we truly love them and that we are a Family here at Arkansas. And if you cannot get on board with that, we hear that the Kansas Jayhawks are looking to expand their fan base. Go HOGS!!!

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