Pittman Probably Liked Michigan's Approach to Winning Title

Dominating lines on both sides, suffocating defense apparently can still win big

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Jan 9, 2024 3:15 PM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Don't pay attention around here to all the noise surrounding Michigan's national title blowout of Washington on Monday night. Arkansas coach Sam Pittman probably loved it.

The Wolverines dominating both sides of the line of scrimmage and playing a defense that shut down the Huskies' high-powered offense was exactly what Pittman likes to see. Sam, an old line coach, loved the physical aspect of how they won a title.

Duplicating it with the Razorbacks isn't as easy as just wanting it, though. Despite all the talk of spying, getting film cut-ups and stuff aren't really relevant. It was clear Michigan simply had better players where it can still count a lot: Down in the trenches.

Razorbacks' defensive line coach Deke Adams against Alabama

We've gotten used to ignoring that basic concept of football that's still big. If you don't have it, though, you usually can't just fix it in one year. It has to be developed. That's exactly why the Hogs have to develop an NIL system. It's not so much about landing the star players as keeping the ones around long enough to develop. Pittman's system probably needs at least a couple of years to work out. To do that is going to take money.

The revolving door of players points to either taking people to fill out the roster spots, making bad evaluations or not having enough NIL money in this day and age to keep them at Arkansas once they finally get here. Welcome to today's world.

Offensive linemen at some places in the SEC get guarantees over $50,000 a year. Unless there's some evidence pointing to the contrary, that's the minimum, whether they are starting or sitting on the bench a big part of the game looking at the cheerleaders. I don't think watching some cartoon is going to happen anymore.

You can occasionally bring in that star quarterback, receiver or running back to land you a championship but you can't do it with an entire team. The Razorbacks have been on this cycle of lots of changing faces every year with players and coaches, which makes it hard to develop anything. Some players are here less than a year and leave town. Even offensive coordinators last season, which is what happens when you can't score a touchdown against Mississippi State on homecoming.

Much more of that and things won't be fixed. That's assuming, of course, they still can be salvaged. Re-cycling a head coach that had two good years as the offensive coordinator may produce more touchdowns, but the jury is still out on the whole team. Everything has changed from over a decade ago.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman against Florida International on Saturday — Arkansas Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman on sidelines against Florida International last November in last dominant win and one of few they've had the last couple of seasons.
Michael Morrison / allHOGS Images

Now the goal is six wins in a regular season. That's landed a ridiculous contract extension for one head coach. Eight wins seems to land retirement-type security. It doesn't produce championships.

The same old things still work to accomplish that. Pittman knows it. What he's having to figure out this whole new way of going about being able to accomplish that. You probably need to raise money like a politician and manage the whole thing like a CPA these days. How the Razorbacks figure that out will determine wins.