Horns, Hogs To Resume Rivalry

by Peter Bean on Apr 26, 2006 10:41 AM CDT in Texas Longhorns Football

Reports indicate that Texas and Arkansas are prepared to announce a home and home series in 2008 and 2009, resuming a historic rivalry was last seen in 2004. You may recall that classic game, a comeback win for Texas behind a critical Arkansas fumble late in the game. As I think about it, actually, the 2004 Arkansas win was eerily similar to the 2005 Ohio State win. On the road, Texas came out of the gates strong, but relinquished the lead as the offense sputtered. The defense held their ground and, eventually, Vince completed the comeback.

If you want to relive the games, enjoy 54b's game summaries: Texas 22, Arkansas 20 and Texas 25, Ohio State 22.

Though Arkansas was down last year, it's a solid program, a classic Texas rival, and a good game to add to the schedule. We'll take it. Plus, they're the source of the funniest picture I've seen in quite some time.

Once again, funnier than fiction.

--PB--

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Behind the headlines

I think there's a bigger story here than just renewing or rekindling an old rivalry...

In Chip Brown's DMN article, you'll note that not only is UT doing another home-and-home with Arkansas, but threre is talk about making it an annual match-up in Dallas after the 2009 season, which conveniently coincides with the end of Texas' contractual obligation to play OU at the Cotton Bowl.

I'm not a Cotton Bowl apologist, but I hate the idea of taking the TX/OU game back to Austin and Norman.

If the only gripe about the TX/OU game was the the condition of the Cotton Bowl, you'd think they could just move the game to the Dallas Cowboy's new stadium in Arlington though it wouldn't have the backdrop of the State Fair. Then again, Jerry Jones is an Arkansas alum, so maybe he's fueling the fire to get an annual game with the Hogs going.

People have also made the contention that keeping OU out of Dallas would hurt their recruiting ability in the state of Texas. So that may be a motivating factor as well.

This could be just a power play by Texas to get the Cotton Bowl to play ball, but it sounds more and more like Deloss is setting the ground work to end the TX/OU series in Dallas and try and appease the Dallas alums at the same time.

Regardless, I don't remember anyone putting Arkansas on their non-con wish list and given the fact that OU is scheduling some really big non-con games in the next ten years, I think this a lateral move at best.

There is no doubting that Texas and Arkansas have a lot of history and that an Arkansas match-up has more appeal than a lot of other potential non-con games with old SW conference foes, but Horns/Hogs is not a replacement for TX/OU. It just isn't. And though Arkansas' program may rebound from the previous year's lows, the Hogs stand to benefit a lot more than the Horns in an annual match-up deal. Plus, Deloss will be even less motivated to set up big Non-Con games with Arkansas already on the schedule every year.

I think we've just seen the first nail in the coffin and the end of the TX/OU series in Dallas.

My obvious bias against the Razorbacks aside, I think this is a bad move and not one UT fans should be embracing.

by 54b on Apr 26, 2006 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

It's done

I have zero doubt that Texas-OU is headed to home and home. None whatsoever.

In that light, this game makes sense for the transition to a Dallas-less Horns schedule.

by Peter Bean on Apr 26, 2006 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

All for it

My genetic hatred for the Razorbacks is practically drooling for this game to be regularized. It'll also be nice to be able to lay the smack down on the SEC every year, remind them that as far as the South is concerned, the West is Best.

As for TX/OU in Dallas, the tradition is good but the Cotton Bowl blows. Also, tradition sometimes fades and is replaced by something better. For example, I grew up thinking of the second to last Thursday in November as an even split between Thanksgiving and the A&M game (no wonder Thanksgiving was always such a piss-poor holiday in my house during the 80's). Now that I'm older, I'm much happier to have a reason to kick back and drink beer on that Friday as well (and an excuse to take an extra day off from work). I'm sure alternating between Austin and Rules-Don't-Apply-To-Us Land will work out fine.

by Kahuna on Apr 26, 2006 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

Arkansas is the black sheep of the SEC

If Texas does beat Arkansas on a regular basis, I seriously doubt anyone in the SEC would feel a thing. "Laying the smack down?" That's like someone from the SEC saying they showed the Big XII who's boss because they beat Kansas. If you want to impress the SEC, there are at least six schools in line in front of Arkansas.

by 54b on Apr 26, 2006 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Very true

If Texas wants to shut the naysayers up they need to beat one of the Florida teams, Tenn, Alabama or Georgia.

I think if Texas beats Ohio State they'll have shown who's boss in the Midwest. In fact they should just hand over the BIG 10 trophy and call it a season.

A tOSU alum told me we are lucky to not be playing in "their house" again.
If I remember correctly, last time we played in "their house" we drank their beer, put our feet on the furniture, ordered pay per view, made long distance calls and left a ten inch floater in the bathroom.

Walker, Texas Ranger -- C.D. Parker: And how are you doing, little partner? Lucas Simms: Walker told me I have AIDS.

by EYESofBEVO on Apr 26, 2006 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions