What’s old is new again as Bulldogs open against Hogs
Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A nearly monthlong postponement to the start of college football in the Southeastern Conference may feel different, but it won’t look much different.
Georgia, as has it has been for much of the last decade or so, is projected to finish near the top of one of the best conferences. Arkansas, has it has been for much of the last few years, is predicted to finish near the bottom. The two will open their seasons against each other Saturday.
The Bulldogs are No. 4 in the nation. The Razorbacks are not anywhere near that, having not beaten a fellow SEC member since October 2017 (Ole Miss). Georgia has hopes of a championship. Arkansas has hopes to win a game.
Their mutual commonality is Arkansas coach Sam Pittman. An offensive line coach with the Razorbacks from 2013 to 2015, Pittman left to take the same job at Georgia and was hired last December to run things at Arkansas after Chad Morris was fired.
Pittman and his old boss, Georgia coach Kirby Smart, remain close.
“Going against a very good friend of mine in coach Sam Pittman, who did just an unbelievable job while he was here,” Smart said. “I know he always had a special place in his heart for Arkansas, and he got this opportunity to go back.”
As expected for a team seemingly in a neverending rebuild, the roster is light at Arkansas. Smart doesn’t have that issue and, in fact, has multiple options at quarterback.
Southern California transfer J.T. Daniels was expected to take a majority of the snaps this season, but an injury has kept him limited. D’Wan Mathis, a carryover from last year’s team, has shined in the preseason and may provide Smart and the Bulldogs with a two-man look in the opener.
Arkansas is hoping its quarterback problems have subsided after 15 interceptions and two fumbles at the position a year ago. Former Florida quarterback Feliepe Franks’ primary directive from Pittman has been ball security.
“I think he has more confidence in his wideouts that they’re going to run the proper depth, make the break at the proper time,” Pittman said. “He’s throwing the ball very well right now.”