Finally, We Have a Game to Talk About, Maybe Answers Today

Hogs coach Sam Pittman's first game press conference Monday still with questions

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Aug 27, 2023 10:45 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark, — Arkansas coach Sam Pittman may have the answers to all the questions and around this year's team, but we likely won't get many answers Monday at noon. The best we can hope for is to know who they put on the field first Saturday.

The truth is no definitive answers will come until after the LSU game Sept. 23 in Baton Rouge. Pittman has said that's when he'll know some answers because the first three non-conference games really don't matter. It's the SEC games that matter the most.

The first depth chart that really means anything will come out this morning just before that press conference. It will last about 20-30 minutes and there will be more specific questions about that depth chart and he'll hear why the players running on the field first against Western Carolina in Little Rock have earned that right.

There are no guarantees a lot of those starters get to keep that job. After what has seemed like an agonizing long stretch of spring practice and preseason workouts (it just sounds strange to say fall camp in August). Pittman knows all this because game film actually counts for a lot.

There's a lot we don't really know about this team. We get 15-20 minutes of a few periods on practices, mainly because they don't want us in the way. That short time usually involves individual drills and the main thing I've seen in that is quarterback KJ Jefferson's drastically improved footwork.

The biggest question on offense is stabilizing three new starters into the offensive line. That position may require more cohesion and confidence in each other than any other on the field outside of the secondary. Jefferson's improved footwork won't matter if he doesn't have time to use it.

The receivers will likely come together. They probably have shown they can catch the ball or they still wouldn't be around. The defensive line has some chances for drastic improvement, but even that won't really matter much if the secondary can't cover anyone consistently or tackle. They are the last line of defense if someone gets loose.

Don't be expecting a lot of definite answers next Monday, either. The Catamounts shouldn't be much more than a scrimmage with sweating fans, the band and cheerleaders when they kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon. There won't be any broadcast TV, either. The only way you can watch that thriller is ESPN+.