February 25, 2008
Arkansas begs out of 2009 Texas game
Incoming Arkansas Razorbacks football coach Bobby Petrino knows he has his work cut out for him in Fayetteville and he's doing something about it.
Arkansas has asked Texas to reschedule its 2009 home game until at least 2014, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
Despite getting the Longhorns at home under the original contract, Arkansas has reservations about playing both UT and Texas A&M as out-of-conference opponents in the 2009 season. The Razorbacks play the Aggies in a neutral-field game at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
The Longhorns and Razorbacks play this year in Austin on September 13th.
Hat Tip: DaWiz
Comments:
posted on February 25, 2008 12:46 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta
said:
Gee, seems it's rather hard to be a member of both the SEC and Big 12 conferences at the same time.
I could see them wanting to change it if it was a road game, but changing a home game is risky. What if Texas can't reschedule it until many moons later, or it falls between the cracks completely? Cha-Ching go bye-bye!
The lure of playing old rivals is strong, but the reality is that Texas and ATM aren't exactly cupcakes. Winning the SEC might get you a shot in the title game, but having some OOC losses is going to seriously diminish your chances.
Hello, Arkansas State!
Zac said:
posted on February 25, 2008 1:38 PM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
OK, let me get this straight. Bobby Petrino is cancelling next season’s home game against TX, but he’s moving forward with playing TX, in Austin, this coming season.
HELLO!!! Are we related to Bobby Bowden or something?!?
I agree with WarEagle; $Cha-Ching$ go by-by.
You know what’s worse though? It’s Petrino telling his team and the ENTIRE college football world that they can’t beat TX, even at home. Hell, if he’s gonna do that, why not call TX’s AD and tell him for a nominal fee AR will gladly forfeit this season’s game.
Talk about a new trend setter. Teams whose coaches know they’re gonna loose don’t even have to suit up, let alone show up. For a nominal fee you too could have your team pad another team’s record while supporting your schools Athletic Dep’t. It’ll save lots of money in travel expenses, and equipment. Howz that for making a name for yourself, Bobby? And, he’s doing it for the bargain basement sum of $2.85 M/yr. Got to love it.
40 Acres of Burnt Orange
posted on February 25, 2008 3:01 PM — 192.91.75.30 — link — abuse? said:
Zac, I agree Petrino must not like his chances against Texas. He is pretty much telling his team hey we have a better chance of beating the faggies than we do of beating Texas so let's drop them and take the easy route. They would have had a pretty good advantage being that the game is being played at their home stadium. And razorback stadium can get pretty rowdy.
If Jerry Jones had any brains at all he would have set up an Arkansas and Texas game instead of trying to "invent" his own version of the red river shootout. I mean come on even splitting the seating at the 50 just like the cotton bowl? It definately won't have the same effect as seeing one side Crimson and the other side Burnt Orange.
HookEmHorns
Tomcat said:
posted on February 25, 2008 4:40 PM — 69.154.241.166 — link — abuse?
I'm surprized that Pertrino doesnt have a pair of gohones and this decision definetley shows lack of confidence and shades of fear.Houston Nutt definetly has a pair and the last time the series split 1-1. DeLoss Dodds should have not been so accomidating because without the Ark game UT will have difficulty scheduling a quality OCC opponent. Ex SHSU or La Laf
Texas 2008 schedule other than FIU,UTEP & Rice is pretty tough and running the table{ almost impossible would put them in the Championship game no doubt. Facing Oklahoma,Missu,Kansas,Ok St,Arkansas and Texas Tech in the same season is a guanlet, not to mention CU in Boulder, a conference Championship game and the Aggies.
The 2008 UT schedule is purty awesome even with a few less desirable opponents early.
I've seen enough UT vs Rice,N Mex,N Tex,La Laf,UH games in the past, Ohio St,TCU and Ark make more of an impact on a national scale than a UCF or UTEP.
Hookem-Horns
Adios Tomcathrposon said:
posted on February 25, 2008 10:15 PM — 98.200.123.115 — link — abuse?
Now that Arkansas is backing out, here's your chance all you football factory supporters, contact your AD or Head Coach and ask them to schedule Texas to a blockbuster big money home and home series. Herbie, Chris, Lee and Desmond will even come to your campus.
Help, I can't stand the thought of sitting through a blowout of a team that never had a chance to win.Porky said:
posted on February 26, 2008 10:33 AM — 75.89.104.121 — link — abuse?
I don't know why they are backing out now. I doubt it took this long to figure out that playing a&m in 2009 and texas in 2009 would be in the same season. I guess one bcs noncon opponent is as far as they will go. In 2012 they play a&m and tcu. Tcu was almost a bcs school a couple of times. I hope that's not too good to play.
Bleed Crimson
posted on February 26, 2008 4:16 PM — 72.146.16.91 — link — abuse? said:
Thats some weak s*** right there. hes reppin the SEC now. we dont back out of games with anyone. plus what kinda message does that send to his team. this is the biggest coward ive ever seen. i vote Petrino out of the SEC.
dude needs to man up.out.
Lennie Collins
posted on February 27, 2008 12:30 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
Bevo Boy, Post #14, You are wrong...He phoned in and said he quit! He wasn't bold enough to even face 'em so he called the ower and said he quit. Now he asked out of the the TEXAS game. If you ask me...he is molding his team like him, a quitter. I would not be shoocked if he ask out of the Texas A&M games and Texas Christian games.
Tomcat said:
posted on February 27, 2008 1:29 PM — 69.154.241.166 — link — abuse?
Hey Lennie The guy is coaching a team in the SEC that used to belong in the SWC.I think it is really a good thing for the schools to schedule these old foes and nobody should be scared of any Texas team-heck your in SEC now Bobby or is it Bobbie? I really don't understand this move when you play teams like LSU & Tenn, why not include a UT and Tex A&M even if you drop one so what. Much as I hate to admit it but ole Mr.Miller Lite,Pepsi Cola,Papa Johns,Dallas Cowboys Ex-Arkansas player and new stadium owner probably had something to do with this.
Thats right sports fans the same business guy that got the Cotton Bowl to move away from the Cotton bowl, has now cast his net landing premeire games for his new Cowboy Stadium.
Those same Arkansas fans who wanted to run off Nutt, should now start calling for Bobbie's head, without coaching a game- why not chicken?
Arkansas should save face and reconsider, the fans should insist on their team playing Texas.
Whats really weird about the whole thing is that it was scheduled for Fayetteville, that would be great for the old Hog Alum and former players to attend.
Hookem-HornsLennie Collins
posted on February 27, 2008 2:33 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
Hey Tomcat, Post #17, I agree with you 110%! This goes for Oklahoma as well, if you gone schedule someone then follow it through! Don't cancel/reschedule because no matter what the reason is you are still a coward! This guy phone in on Atlanta why Arkansas don't think he is gone do it on them, I don't know? The Cotton Bowl(Stadium) days are numbered. I kinda do wish games will still be played on REAL grass but the Cowboys new stadium is bigger, better, and more "update" than the Old Cotton Bowl. But I cannot agree with you more on your post. If you lose, ya lose and if you win, ya win BUT moving or cancelling a game says enough about your confidence in you team let alone your coaching ability!
posted on February 27, 2008 2:37 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
The tendency is to want to blame Petrino for this, but the reality is more than likely it's the call of the Arkansas administration. With a new coach, they don't want to load up the pressure too early. Petrino probably didn't attempt to veto the decision, though...
Porcine said:
posted on February 27, 2008 3:08 PM — 75.89.105.7 — link — abuse?
WEA may be correct. Supposedly Arkansas overscheduled and had too many games. It's hard to turn down an automatic win or the $5 million for the a&m game. Losing a marquee game like this really stinks. Everybody wants to beat texass. I was hoping they were steppin' it up for a change.
Cowbell05 said:
posted on February 27, 2008 3:34 PM — 70.144.211.222 — link — abuse?
Well first of all I agree with all of yall. But you have to look at it from this standpoint. I think we all know that Arkansas is PROBABLY not going to be very good next year. With that being said, there is a HUGE difference between 6-6 and 7-5 just ask anybody from Starkville or South Carolina and they will tell you. That Texas game could be the difference of a 6-6 or 7-5 season. So I would have to disagree with you, Big Tide in post #13. I don't see how them getting thir asses handed to them by Texas on national T.V. would help them fair better than a W over a no-name team. I just don't see that. Especially if its the diff. between 6-6 and 7-5
Noname said:
posted on February 27, 2008 5:59 PM — 64.219.115.100 — link — abuse?
I can't believe this. 30 years ago when I lived in Arkansas and watched my first Razorback/Longhorn game, I told my husband that Texas had Arkansas psyched out. (They must have--Broyles kicked on 3rd down. Ugh!!!) And now here we are--Texas still has the Razorbacks running scared. Get real Razorbacks--Texas is good, but remember anyone can win or lose on any given day. Just ask Michigan, or USC or a host of other schools--remember this past season?!!
posted on February 27, 2008 6:15 PM — 64.12.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
I wouldn't go selling Arkansas short just yet. They came out of no where in 2006 to win the SEC West, and had enough to pound the national champs last year.
With the dysfunction of the love/hate relationship the fans had for Nutt gone, Petrino might actually be able to put something together his first year.
But hopefully Arkansas will suck, that way I can go see the Red River Shoot-out on October 11th instead of travelling down to Jordan-Hare to see the Hawgs come to town...
Tomcat said:
posted on February 28, 2008 12:48 PM — 69.154.241.166 — link — abuse?
#19 You could be right about this, however the popular beleif will focus on new coach=back out of Texas game= consiracy theory=who knows.
This really sucks for the fans of both programs and it sounds like the Ark Admin, the same guys that run off Nutt are probably responsable and it does not help their program or the publics perspective to retreat from a committment with UT after accepting one with A&M & J.Jones.
Hopefully the Horns will beat both Arkansas & A&M this year, but you never know.
Teams like Arkansas and A&M are quality opponents that can beat just about anybody on a given day including LSU & Texas.
Hookem-HornsLennie Collins
posted on February 28, 2008 2:56 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
War Eagle Atlanta, Post #19, Arkansas scheduled the game when Houston Nutt was the coach then Robert Petrino gets hired now all of a sudden the Arkansas Razorbacks decided it is too much to play Texas and Texas A&M in the same year? Ol' Robert phoned in a resignation instead of doing it face to face and quit before the season was over, after not being on the job for a year! It's just a mere misunderstanding and not a coincidence. War Eagle Atlanta, I know you are too intelligent to believe that!
posted on February 28, 2008 3:23 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
I don't proclaim to know, Lennie, but that's usually the ways things go--the administration makes the call, especially with a new coach.
Petrino's character aside, it's hard to imagine him sitting in an office with the AD and other suits, looking at the schedule and saying "Gee, boys, I don't really feel like getting my ass kicked up and down in 2009, can we move one of these two OOC games back some?"
That would really impress his new bosses...
Lennie Collins
posted on February 28, 2008 3:57 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
War Eagle Atlanta, Post #31, Come on Dog, This is the same man that called into his former boss and said: No Michael Vick, Sorry I gots to split! We are losing so I gonna be crusin'! Come War Eagle Atlanta, come on! I sure he impressed his last boss, Arthur Blank. I don't know him as a man but as a coach? Why hasn't he stepped up and said forget a Longhorn...bring 'em on! Not only will we play'em, we'll beat 'em and an Aggie!
posted on February 28, 2008 4:45 PM — 205.188.116.136 — link — abuse? said:
Look, Lennie. I'm no aplogist for Petrino--don't think I'm trying to defend him. I just gave my opinion. Nothing in the original article said anything about Petrino being the one calling this shot.
The reason Petrino doesn't say what you suggest he say is because it could be seen as contradicting the decisions of his superiors.
I used to think Petrino was a good coach. He probably still is, but I see him now as a man with questionable morals and integrity.
The funny thing is, if Petrino had let the Falcon season come to completion, then said that a Vick-less team wasn't what he signed up for, bowed out, then took another job, not one person would fault him. But when he phoned in his resignation then boarded the midnight train to Fayetteville, he opened himself up to richly deserved criticism.
My prediction for Petrino? He stays a few years at Arkansas, but his next gig after that is at Multi-Directional Carolina...
Lennie Collins
posted on February 28, 2008 5:06 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse? said:
War Eagle Atlanta, Post #33...I know that you are Navy and Orange True. I think that is the official colors of the Auburn Tigers? I wasn't there but the way ESPN reported the man phoned in and quit. If I was in that position I would want to show my critics I got heart. I DO NOT know if he is calling it or not. The Arkansas staff have to wait till 2014 to see if they can beat Texas at home? I agree with you on your closing line BUT where I don't know. I guess it doen't matter your actions or scandal...someone will hire ya! Kevin Sampson will be back coaching in 2-4 years!
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Lennie Collins
said:
posted on February 25, 2008 12:37 PM — 68.92.148.40 — link — abuse?If Texas refuses will Robert Petrino quit?