Bye-bye Blues: Hogs confident, ready for Bluegrass State

Arkansas shook off its three-game losing streak and perhaps said goodbye to the football blues Saturday in their win over Auburn. Bowl hopes are still very much alive for Arkansas (3-3, 1-2 SEC) and there’s more good news — the “easiest” half of the Hogs’ schedule is up next.

Late October through November presents quite a contrast from the first month and a half of the Razorbacks’ season. Arkansas played three teams that are now in the Top 5 of the Associated Press poll, including the No. 1 (Texas) and 2 (Alabama) teams.

And up next is a familiar face for coach Bobby Petrino — head coach Rich Brooks of Kentucky and the blue-clad Wildcats.

Petrino went 4-0 against the Wildcats when he was the head coach at Louisville, and he’s sure to expect a nasty greeting when he enters Lexington, Ky., on Saturday evening.

“I think they like me there,” Petrino joked. “But we’ll find out.”

Petrino later said, “I still don’t wear blue very much.”

As for the Hogs after their 25-22 win over Auburn, cornerback Ramon Broadway feels pretty confident. He compared the early losses by Arkansas this season to the loss to USC to start the 2006 season. The Hogs rebounded and won 10 straight games after that 50-14 home loss to the Trojans.

“We have a chance and there’s no doubt we believe that,” Broadway said. “We’re fixing to get this thing rolling, man, and go undefeated from here on out.”

Sunday around the Broyles Complex was much different for the players and coaches after their win Saturday, Petrino said.

“It’s easier on everybody,” Petrino said. “You see a difference in the coaches, you see a difference in the coaches’ wives when you walk around. It makes you feel like all the hard work and all the effort paid off.”

 – Brandon Marcello
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Filed under: Arkansas Football, SEC Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: October 13, 2008 at 1:16 pm