Razorbacks Get Manhandled in Knoxville

Too many questions to answer, and not nearly enough answers for all those questions. That's the big vibe most Razorback fans will have to take out of Arkansas' worst football performance of 2007. A loss at Tennessee wasn't entirely unexpected for the Hogs---heck, it's essentially a rite of passage for most recruiting classes---but 34-13? And that uncompetitive? There's no pouring sugar on this team's state of affairs. It's all gotten way too sour, way too fast for head coach Houston Nutt.

What stands out: 4th and a yard at UA's own 45 yd line---and Darren McFadden is on the sideline? I don't fault giving the ball to Peyton Hillis there, but DMac has got to be on the field, if only to draw some attention from the defense. Houston Nutt has offered no legitimate answer for that thus far, and none appears forthcoming.

-Passing on first down almost exlusively throughout the first half. I realize that Arkansas was trying to balance things out against Tennessee, but way, way too much emphasis on the air attack.

-Halfway through the third quarter, Nutt turns down a 37 yard field goal by Alex Tejada and instead goes for it on 4th and 12 at the Vols' 20 yard line. Down by 21 points, I understand the urge to go for it there, but on 4th and 12 it's just a bad decision. The fade pass to Hillis in double coverage wasn't even close, and Arkansas came out of that drive with nothing. You have to get points there.

-Late in the third quarter, with Arkansas trailing by three scores but still in the game, Nutt replaces Casey Dick with the almost completely inexperienced Nathan Emert. A move that smelled of desperation, Emert was thrown to the wolves in an impossible spot.

Look, the Felix Jones' thigh injury was a big factor for Arkansas, but it was from the determining aspect of the game. The Razorbacks chose a terrible time to play their worst game of the year on both sides of the ball---12 penalties is far too many---and now they have no one to blame but themselves.

A loss to the seriously-improved Mississippi State Bulldogs in Little Rock on Saturday and you can kiss a bowl bid goodbye. All-Americans Darren McFadden and Felix Jones in the same backfield and you can't even make a bowl? Oh, mama.

The Houston Nutt train is headed for the end of the tracks.

-JAB