you'll always have a special place in my heart pun seriously, I wasn't trying to make this personal, the dude got ran out behind some overzealous fans or at least quit behind some off the field stuff last season. That's not disputable. The same thing happens with every program. I wasn't trying to insult the great state of Arkansas. I love Bill Clinton. I liked Houston Nutt, and I don't wish Arkansas football any ill will.
Those overzealous fans, which I am one of, saved the program. Or, at the very least, gave it new life. None of you will ever believe this, 'cause ESPN didn't tell you to, but SirCharles is completely right on his recap of Nutt's off field issues. I don't for one second believe Nutt resigned at Arkansas. You don't resign and get to keep $3.5 million. The lawsuit was going to unearth some devestating facts about that "fine Christian man." I firmly believe that the powers that be had no choice but to sever all ties so the facts wouldn't come out. Nutt gone? Lawsuit likely to be dropped. Don't even get me started on his "on field success." How many times has a college team been fortunate to have two backs of Jones and McFadden's caliber for 3 seasons? Doesn't happen often. I think it's reasonable to say that tandem's production can be stacked against any other in college football history. And what does Arkansas have to show for it? Nothing. You get those opportunities once a lifetime. Nutt blew that. Had he not spearheaded an attempt to harass and run off the most heralded prep athlete the state had ever seen, Arkansas is looking at one of the most devastating, unpredictable offenses in the nation this year. As it turned out, McFadden and Jones faced 9 man fronts the entire season. Just a LITTLE bit of coaching and Arkansas is playing in the national championship game this year. Of the 4 losses, three were 4th quarter meltdowns in which Nutt's mismanagement of the clock (ALWAYS one of his flaws) was instrumental in allowing an opponent to regain a 4th qtr lead late. Then, of course, there's the 2 minute offense where you have no idea how to pass, so you try to throw dump passes to the flat or run draws. That's Arkansas' 2 minute offense in the Nutt era. I do not for one second think that Arkansas should compete for a national championship every year. I don't think ANY school can expect that. BUT, when you've got once in a lifetime kind of talent, you have to take advantage of it. Not only did Nutt blow a shot at the title, but Arkansas' not even going to a good bowl (Cotton used to be great, but we all know that's not the case anymore). Since most of you probably aren't too familiar with Arkansas football, let me give you an example. Let's say Mack Brown, with Vince Young as his catalyst, never made it to the BCS. Would you be happy? Of course not. When you're handed that kind of unbelievable talent, you sit back and try not to screw it up. Nutt couldn't do that. I don't remember the exact figure, but I believe Arkansas had the second highest amount of All-SEC players. Well where are the results? If you've got that kind of talent, why aren't you getting more production?
