Perhaps There's the Slightest Hope Hog Fans Could Care A Little About Mizzou Game

Lack of rivalry has defined 'Battle Line,' but ingredients might be there to eventually make it one

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
Nov 21, 2023 2:34 AM EST

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For a long time, the Battle Line Rivalry has been forced upon the people of Arkansas, which has generated a certain amount of bitterness. No matter how hard Missouri has tried to make Razorback fans care, they just haven't.

However, there may be a recipe brewing to finally generate at least the faintest interest in playing Missouri in football. Right now, the Tigers are as good as they may have ever been, and that includes that team that nearly played for the national championship just prior to Mizzou coming into the SEC.

They're led by a coach from Arkansas whose antics have produced an eye roll at best as Arkansas fans openly thanked the fates of college football that Eli Drinkwitz didn't become the Razorbacks' head coach. He's just not their cup of tea as he comes off as Chad Morris with a flare for accounting.

However, to see him having so much success in a season most thought would be his last in Columbia is mildly annoying to Razorback fans when their own team has floundered the way it has this season. Despite it being hidden in the middle of basketball season, they also seem to have finally noticed all the wins the Tigers have racked up over Arkansas on the football field lately.

However, the way Missouri ended up on the radar is when the news came out Drinkwitz had somehow lured away committed wide receiver Courtney Crutchfield. At the time there was even concern his package deal cousin, Charlie Collins would go with him, although Collins has gone out of his way to reaffirm his commitment.

It's almost enough to make Arkansas fans care. Add in discussions that Mizzou fans may have been planning to stripe out Razorback Stadium in an effort to further embarrass the program and there's the tiniest spark, especially if they manage to pull it off to some recognizable degree.

The final seasoning in this "will Arkansas ever care" soup is Sam Pittman's streak. Now that he's for sure going to be back next season, Razorback fans have no choice but to fall in line behind him in hopes of success. Larry the Bowling Ball hit the unemployment line and that throne has long since found sits way to some dust-ridden closet.

The only thing that remains is Pittman's streak beating ranked teams. He's never had a season where he hasn't coached Arkansas to a win over a ranked opponent. If the Razorbacks can add a dash of humility to Drinkwitz's life while crushing the hopes and dreams of a New Year's Six bowl for Tigers' fans everywhere, then it'd be just as sweet.

For the first time ever, fans would be happy to see the trophy come the Hogs' way. It would also make for a more intriguing storyline heading into the next "Battle Line Not Yet A Rivalry."

It's definitely in Pittman's best interest to find a way to pull this one out. If he can't, it's going to make it that much more difficult for him to make it to the next one.