When Grown Men Cry…

Today, in Arkansas, we’ve experienced some beautiful fall weather.  Aside from a little rain this morning, it’s been great.  As a matter of fact, it’s been pretty great all week.  I love fall in Arkansas.  Fall is my favorite time of year, but “fall” and “Arkansas” together make for a combination of “love” and “hate.”  The weather is great and the scenery is fantastic here in the Natural State.  Fall also brings college football.  (Arkansas fans know where I’m going with this.)  You see, Arkansas is pretty much a “1 school state” when it comes to athletics.  That’s not to diminish the other schools in the state.  I’m actually an Arkansas State University alumni and have a lot of love for my alma mater.  But… fall in Arkansas is all about the Razorbacks.  The University of Arkansas Razorbacks are the pride of the state…unfortunately.  Arkansas doesn’t have any professional sports teams….in any sport.  Closest we have is a minor league baseball team called the Arkansas Travelers.  So…when sports are discussed in the state, it’s all about the Hogs (a razorback is a wild hog, thus the nickname).

Each year, Arkansans begin the fall semester with hopes of a Razorback national championship in football.  And every year, we are disappointed.  Last year was to be our year.  We were set up to win.  But, our head coach at the time, Bobby Petrino, decided to take a motorcycle ride with his mistress…that he had hired to work for his department.  Not cool, man.  So…our pre-season last year was full of controversy.  Enter interim coach John L. Smith.  The only thing I think I’ll remember him for is tell the press to smile after a soul crushing loss to Alabama.  The season couldn’t end soon enough.

Enter Coach Bret Bielema.  The savior of Razorback football from the University of Wisconsin.  Our first 3 games were great….then we started to see what we were made of.  And that was not much.  I understand that we are rebuilding.  We have a lot of great talent in some young running backs.  But, once again, our season can’t end soon enough.

So…our “love/hate” relationship with fall and Arkansas continues.   At least the weather is great.  What’s that you ask?  Am I crying?  No…it must be allergies from enjoying the Natural State.  *sniff* *sniff*  Yeah…allergies.