EIGHT YEARS LATER...
On November 14, 1998, almost exactly 8 years ago, the Arkansas Razorbacks carried a national ranking and an 8-0 record into Neyland Stadium hoping to knock off the Vols and continue their run for a national championship in Houston Nutt's rookie year. I was coaching my son's U-10 soccer team in a big tournament in Little Rock. The parents and spectator's typical loyalty to cheering their son's performances were split that fall afternoon with one eye half-heartedly on their kids and the other on one of many portable color T.V.'s scattered throughout the gallery on tailgates. Every now and then a cheer would explode from the spectator's sideline and it wasn't because one of the soccer players had headed in a goal; it was because the Hogs had just scored. My loyalty was divided as well. I was missing the biggest game of the year so I could "coach" fifteen 10 year old boys and hand out banana's and juice at the end. It was worth it though. But, it was the shortest post game talk in junior soccer history as we high-fived each other and scampered over to join the parents to watch the "real game." Well, Tennessee comes to Fayetteville this year for a very similar rematch, along with the biggest frenzy that ESPN has produced for college football; ESPN Gameday. This will be their first ever appearance on the campus of the U of A. Students, fans, and players will have an opportunity to showcase one of the best kept secrets in college athletics; the outstanding facilities of the Arkansas athletic program nestled in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. Like 1998, the Hogs come into the game on a 8 game winning streak and a chance to win the SEC West like they did then. Back then, a national championship was within reach for the winner. The boys won their soccer game 1-0 but the Vols beat the Hogs 28-24 in a nailbiter on a strange quarterback fluke fumble and went on to win their sixth national title in January. This week's game and the ESPN exposure will be an important catalyst in getting the national respect back that the Hogs enjoyed in the glory days of the 60's and 70's. That much needed catalyst is recruiting. Winning programs, first class facilities, and TV cameras are the things that the blue chippers are looking for when deciding where to attend school. Hopefully eight years from now, I can refer back to this post, and highlight it as the turning point in a string of upcoming championships for the Hogs. Hopefully this will also become an annual stop for ESPN commentators Chris, Lee, Kirk, and Desmond.  ¶ 6:45 PM