Why Arkansas Fans Are Scared To Death of Texas A&M Football

Why Razorback Fans Fear this Texas A&M Football Team

Over the last two years, coming into their matchup against Texas A&M football, there was a loud contingent of Arkansas fans that were supremely confident that they would defeat the Aggies. They were one for two on those predictions—though Arkansas started hot both years, both games were characteristically close at the end.

This year, though, things seem to be different. You don’t hear as much crowing from the Razorbacks. Why might that be?  Have the back-to-back losses to BYU and LSU cowed the Hogs? Do they recognize the Aggies’ superior talent and acknowledge that it will be hard for their team to get up for two big SEC West tests in a row?

Maybe those things play a factor. It’s possible. But it’s not the main reason.

The main reason is the offensive coordinator for Texas A&M football, Bobby Petrino.

As I’m sure many Texas A&M football fans know, Petrino spent time from 2008 to 2011 as the head Hog in Fayetteville. Under his regime, the Arkansas program reached heights they hadn’t seen since joining the SEC. He reached double digit wins in his last two seasons, brought the Hogs their first top-5 finish in 30 years, and only their third ever 11-win season. His offenses were dynamic year in and year out. His dismissal obviously had to do with scandal rather than poor performance. For these reasons, he is still revered in Fayetteville.

Last year, as head coach of Missouri State, he brought in an overmatched squad and still put up numbers against the Razorbacks. For a while, it actually looked like the Bears might triumph in that contest before Arkansas pulled away; but the impression left by Petrino’s coaching performance in that game on the Hog fans was that he’ll have something special saved up for them whenever they meet.

It is for this reason that Arkansas fans have been dreading this day ever since Petrino’s hire was announced. Though his being named to the position of OC was met with skepticism by certain Aggie fans, the Razorbacks know how good of a coach he is, and some still view him as the “one who got away.” I agree with them that he will have something saved up, and—Conner Weigman or not—I think Texas A&M football will be putting up some numbers in this matchup. I’m excited to see it.