Week 1 Over-Reactions to Shocking, Big Plans After Opener

That includes usual chorus from folks about Chad Morris dooming Dabo Swinney

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Sep 5, 2023 4:55 PM EDT
Original:
Sep 5, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It's been entertaining hearing all the over-reactions from Arkansas fans after an opening weekend win over an FCS opponent where score should have been bigger.

Many fans and media have also used Clemson's stunning 28-7 loss to Duke as an excuse to throw former Razorbacks coach Chad Morris under the bus again. Quite frankly, I doubt coach Dabo Swinney goes to Morris for much of anything serious (he's listed as the special assistant to the head coach, who basically just does lightweight work in the background).

The real problem had to do with an inability to get his team focused and prepared on Swinney's part. Folks do like to say it was karma or "Chad Morris Effect" and the usual stuff. It' s highly unlikely Morris really has much to do with anything other than drawing a check to keep him busy spending the money from the Hogs.

As for the Razorbacks, fans have the excuse for all the running, which is what was expected with new offensive coordinator Dan Enos getting hired. They did run the ball 11 times more than they passed, which was about was expected despite Western Carolina committing over half the defense to stopping the run.

Again, I doubt we'll really have many indicators until at least the LSU game, which will be the first opportunity to see what direction the Hogs will go. Don't read too much into the Tigers getting railroaded in the second half against Florida State on Sunday night. We've seen for decades the only thing to learn from openers they often mean nothing in regard to where a team will be in November.

Just go back to the Seminoles' opener in 1988 where they lost to Miami, 31-0. FSU coach Bobby Bowden was so furious the team immediately went to the practice field and scrimmaged when they arrived back in Tallahassee from the game in the Orange Bowl.

The Seminoles proceeded to rip off 11 wins for an 11-1 finish and win over Auburn in the Sugar Bowl after the season. That opening game was just a wake-up call to what ended up being a big year and indicator of absolutely nothing.

Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman wants to get his running game fixed. Probably what he was referring to was being able to run the ball in from the 1-yard line when he wants. That may be the only thing to gain out of that lopsided win that was little more than a scrimmage with fans and a band, as expected.

Oh, there are also questions about the offensive line to be solved where they got pushed around at times by the Catamounts, which won't happen in November against a team like that. It is something they've got to get fixed by the time they start playing SEC games.

Besides, if you expected the Hogs' best game of the year to be the opener changing that lead-in is probably not a bad idea. After all, Morris' first game was a whopping 56-20 win over East Carolina, coached by former Razorback Kim Dameron, who led Fort Smith Southside to a win over cross-town rival Northside for the first time in a couple of decades.

The next week the Hogs lost at Colorado State, blowing a big lead in the process. That's the first game that led to all of the excuses for a Clemson loss Monday night that probably wouldn't happen in November.

Hog fans have struggled at times looking forward, which is difficult while trying to look more in the rearview mirror. Especially when all of that has nothing to do with this season, particularly at a school in the ACC the Hogs have never played. Ever.