Arkansas Comes Crashing Back To Reality In Loss To Auburn

There was a national buzz about Arkansas football not long ago, but after Saturday's performance it feels like Arkansas has fallen back into reality. Coming into today's game against Auburn, the Razorbacks were riding a 2-game losing streak, looking for some kind of edge that would could put them back into the win column. That wasn't happening today, losing 38-23.

It felt as if this game would fall into the Razorbacks hands, especially after taking a 17-14 lead at one point. But Auburn finally woke up from its nap and after taking back the lead for good in the third quarter, on a strip sack of K.J. Jefferson in the end zone, they held Arkansas on a crucial fourth down stop at the Auburn 29-yard line, which ended up sucking all the momentum out of the stadium.

On the next play from scrimmage it was all Auburn, as they connected on a 71-yard touchdown and took the double-digit lead again. Arkansas was left whistling in the wind after this one. It was another bad outing for the Arkansas defense in which you didn't know what to make of the Barry Odom led squad. Hell, Bo Nix was 21-26 for 292 yards and 2 TD's, also running for the 23-yard clinching touchdown late in the game. The Auburn quarterback completed passes to 10 different receivers on Saturday.

Simply put, this performance by Arkansas is the reason we can't take them seriously, until they finally start winning consistently. Yes, the Razorbacks were without three starters on defense, but it doesn't take away from the fact that the offense can put up all the big numbers it wants, this defense has taken the wrong turn. Honestly, Arkansas had the opportunity to take this game to the house, but when you turn the ball over, in the end-zone by the way, and allow chunk plays that kill your momentum, this is the result.

I really liked what I saw out of the Razorbacks early this season. But over the past three weeks, it makes you wonder if they can take the next step. I don't think it was fool's gold, but Arkansas sure had us thinking they had returned a bit earlier than expected.