West Virginia Provides Blueprint for Arkansas Turnaround

Mountaineers were surprise of Big 12 in 2023 despite lowly projections in preseaon

Author:
Jacob Davis
Updated:
Dec 28, 2023 11:32 AM EST
Original:
Dec 27, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — When West Virginia put the bow on its 30-10 victory over North Carolina in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, the blueprint was set for an Arkansas comeback story.

It's certainly not a given considering all the changes in coaches and roster management Arkansas went through following the season, but it's possible. When Neal Brown showed up to Big 12 Media Days his back was against the wall. No one had expectations for 2023 going well besides the folks populating the football offices in Morgantown. After being voted last in the newly configured Big 12 conference, it really ticked Brown off.

“It really kind of pissed me off because I really think it’s kind of lazy reporting in some senses,” Brown said. “We won’t finish where we’re predicted to finish.”

In order to make a statement like that, the coach and his team better back it up. Fortunately for Brown, he was right. Everyone in the conference and many around the country were proven wrong. West Virginia finished 9-4, a five-win improvement from 2022, putting ice cold water on Brown's flaming hot seat.

The Mountaineers were as bad defensively in last year as the Razorbacks were offensively this season. They ranked next to last in the Big 12 for points per game (32.9) and passing yards per game (262.7).

While there's limited correlation between West Virginia's turnaround and Arkansas, there's something everyone can learn from the situation — don't always count a coach out. Sam Pittman's seat was on fire following back-to-back beatdowns in Razorback Stadium by the likes of Auburn and Missouri. Hog fans grew weary of their losing ways and were ready to see the program move on.

Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek wants to see if a new commitment to NIL with Arkansas Edge and the addition of Bobby Petrino as offensive coordinator will make a difference in the trajectory of the Razorback program. If the Hogs aren't successful in 2024, the extra year is wasted. But, if it works, it makes Yurachek look like a genius while Pittman is feeling good again, jamming to his office jukebox.

Arkansas currently sits No. 26 in the 247Sports team composite recruiting rankings, but No. 14 in the SEC for the 2024 cycle. If there is a silver lining for the class, the Razorbacks average player grade of 89.23 ranks them No. 2,1 but still No. 12 in the SEC. The actual margin from teams ranked No. 11 to No. 25 is incredibly slim. They're all separated by 2.19 points.

The talent on the roster can make it possible for the Razorbacks to see a huge comeback, but that only comes if all the outliers fall into place appropriately. Petrino's offense working, players fitting into systems on both sides of the ball and getting favorable bounces the right way, similar to the 2021 season, is absolutely necessary.

A 9-4 season like West Virginia's may not be in the cards for 2024. What Arkansas does have is a favorable home schedule, an offensive coordinator with something to prove and a group of talented players ready to rid themselves of the bad taste in their mouth. This is a lot to ask of Pittman, but there is always a path to feel good comeback story.