One More And We'll Throw A Party!

That's what Hootie-boy was reported to have said when Andrew Norman got his release papers to transfer to Tulsa. Now Ben Cleveland is denied a jersey to take his rightful place on the sidelines last Saturday? Could this be a little retribution for his getting a second opinion on his neck and deciding to redshirt after Darvocet Dean Weber said he could play? Or is just being from Springdale enough? If Hootie didn't need Alex Tejada would he be run off too?

As usual, Hootie's explanation doesn't wash. "He should have just come to me". That will go down with last year's "nothing could be further from the truth" we heard over and over in response to rumors of dissension on the staff and team.

Fire The Liar!

Jersey-Gate

I don't normally take everything Wally Hall writes seriously, but if the story is true about equipment manager Tim Cheney? Together with previous reports of Cheney's harassment of the Springdale players, this is grounds for dismissal. The man should be fired along with Hootie Nutt, Dean Weber, Kevin Trainor and just about everyone in this whole stinking, rotten mess.

Beck Campbell and Mitch Mustain could not be blamed for filing a lawsuit concerning email-gate and if that's what it takes to straighten up this corrupt, good ol' boy clique in the UA athletic department, so be it.

Jeff Long has a lot of work to do to restore the integrity of this sinking ship. Whoever the coach is next year is going to be in for choppy seas with so many player losses and the damage done by Paw-Paw Broyles, Hootie Nutt, Diana Nutt, Teresa Prewitt and "the posse".

It's embarrassing to share a state, not to mention a team with people like these, with the exception of Broyles. I don't think Broyles is inherently corrupt, but like the old saying (oft misquoted), power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The man had absolute power over the UA athletic department for far too long and now UA has a drug scandal, a basketball probation, the Harrod mess, the Nolan messy firing, the track scandal with Lance Brauman and others to show for it.

Hit That State Line Hootie!

There should be new words to the fight song. "Hit that state line, hit that state line, keep on going" is how the song that Hootie loves to sing to the cherry-picked group of sycophants after a victory should go these days. Snatching credit and attention from the players, where attention rightfully belongs is vintage Nutt.

Now I'm not a shrink, I just play one on TV, but perhaps this Hootie habit stems from Nutt's own career being such a monumental flop. I was 2 years ahead of him in school in the eastern part of the state and heard all the hype from his HS career. When Nutt arrived at UA in 1976 I could not believe that this guy was the one who had been hyped so much. I saw very little major college type talent and I don't think Nutt ever recovered from that blow to his ego. Rant over. Well, at least that one.

The Ol' Ball Coach must have drank some Nutty kool-aid at the SEC meetings to talk about how "close" the Hogs are to being undefeated and #1 in the BCS. With that schedule? No way any team gets to the top spot with 4 wins against rumdums like UTC and the Fla. International House Of Cupcakes.

I'll just about guarantee you Spurrier is telling his coaches and players in private if they can keep the game close until the 4th quarter he will outcoach Hootie and win the game.

Due to the benching of Chris Smelley, we are deprived of the much-anticipated Smelley-Dick matchup. Somehow, Mitchell-Dick doesn't have quite the same ring to it although Mitchell is a dirty word to Hootie Nutt. The two teams may not have the glamor of some other SEC Programs, but they do have the best names. Smelley. Dick. Succop(pronounced suck-up, you know like Houston does to Broyles). Talk about a "sexy" matchup.

By the time the Ol' Ball Coach gets to town next Friday, Hootie may have successfully spun the win over the Fla. House Of Cupcakes into a meaningful victory. I'm not buying and seriously doubt if many other fans will either. Speaking of fans, there were a lot of them disguised as empty seats Saturday. The Houstonistas have talked incessantly about the tickets sold and attendance figures in defending the dork.

The OBC doesn't lose 3 in a row very often, but Hootie does. Tennessee was lucky last night, but when haven't they been lucky against us in Knoxville? Mississippi State hardly looks like the automatic win the Hootie-ites have been projecting ever since the schedule was drawn up. And when was the last time the Hogs won in Baton Rouge? 1993, that's when.

As much as I hope the Hogs win the last 4 games, I know that like the sun coming up in the East, Hootie getting outcoached and giving away a couple of games is a virtual certainty.

58-10 Hogs win. Yawn. Big Whoop. In extending the nation's longest losing streak, the Hogs once again weren't all that impressive. It's better than losing, sure, but beating up on the nation's weakest team can't get most fans excited.

It's been so long, almost a calender year, since the Hogs beat a major conference team not located in the Magnolia State, that's Mississippi, Hootie fans, that it's hard to remember what's it's like. Of course, I'm sure Hootie rah-rahed it up like the Porkers won the national championship.

The Houstonista spin is that if the Hogs win out they would finish 10-3, better than last year percentage wise. As Daddy Bush might say, "Not gonna happen". The real season starts next Saturday. The OBC is sure to outcoach Hootie, then the Great Pumpkin Fulmer, then a not so fast on counting Misstake as a sure win, then LSU at Red Stick. Losing out is more likely than winning out. My guess is a 7-5 record at best for the Hogs, more likely 6-6 with what would hopefully be Hootie's last game coming in Shreveport.

Fans who are disgusted with this regime, and they are many in spite of Rip Van Broyles' "5 puh-cent" statement, should not give up. Settle for mediocrity and that's what will be delivered in abundance.

Arkansas 63- Florida International House Of Cupcakes 3. That's my prediction for tomorrow's game. In spite of what the Blowhard from Hootie And The Blowhard says, this IS a cupcake team and will further the Hogs lowering of standards the last 10 years to winning the Sun Belt title. Without playing Arkansas State, of course.

With the last of the dinosaurs retiring soon, I look for that situation to change. And why not? If we're going to play all their opponents with ASU playing SEC opponents, it's just silly not to. Of course the reason it hasn't happened is Broyles, so with new blood coming in the AD's office, the Arkansas legislature will renew efforts to get such a game together and Beebe is an ASU grad.

The only suspense about the game is if the plane will show up and what the banner will say if it does. Weston Dacus says such things are "childish". How about taking a long look at your head coach, Dacus?

I guess Peyton Hillis didn't get the Reggie Herring memo from yesterday about the Florida International House Of Pancakes not being an easy game. Hillis predicted that DMac and Felix Jones would both have something like 200 yards each against the FIHOC "defense".

Hootie is prominent in rumors about the Baylor job. He is a Baptist, but might have a hard time convincing the Baylor committee that those thousands of phone calls and texts to a certain news anchor who has been divorced multiple times were due to "mutual charitable interests".

I don't know or care if there's anything going on there. What will ultimately put the Nutts in a noose is the email scandal involving their close friend, "Mother" Teresa Prewitt. As far as a figurative mob I say: "Don't let go of the rope".

As if Hootie didn't have enough on his plate, now comes the word that Mitch Mustain's mother has hired Timothy Hutchinson, son of former U.S.Senator Tiny Tim H. to look into the situation.

The Nutt spin all along has been "Mustain hasn't filed any complaints" so everyone else should just let it go. "He's not a student at UA anymore" has been the second part of the spin. That's not in dispute, but MM was a student at the time that putrid email was sent, now his people have filed a complaint and for the benefit of current players and any future ones, this thing needs to be investigated to the max.

If Nuttcase or his brother had anything to do with the email, immediate firing would be too good for a man who always crows about how much he loves his players and tries to shield them. "Do the right thing even when nobody is looking".

Reggie Herring is doing it again. Defending the Hogs joke of a nonconference schedule, I mean. Troy State, TN-Chattanooga, some other rent-a-win and now the Florida International House Of Cupcakes with their 19 game losing streak? Priceless. Making this schedule was so simple, a bald, raving lunatic knuckle-dragger could do it. I'm sure Hootie put Herring up to it, just as the Hogs' spinmeister put DMac up to taking the mike and lecturing the student section about the blackshirts.

Speaking of which, I wonder if da' plane will show up again this weekend? You know, the one Hootie said couldn't be found last year?

I heard today that someone sent a bushel of corn to Hootie's house. Good luck with that. If Nutt really did get offered that job, which I now doubt, he can kiss that one goodbye. Surely Tom Osborne's stint in Washington, D.C. didn't warp his brain to the point that he would hire the Hootster to come to Lincoln. Poor Hootie better stock up on the chapstick regardless, what with a new bosses'@$$ to kiss soon, wherever he is next year.

Jimmy Sexton, Hootie's agent, is based in Memphis I believe. Does Tommy West get another year at Tiger High? If not, Hootie could learn that fight song quicker than you can say 2012.

2 weeks ago, after the putrid offensive performance against Auburn, Hootie Nutt was quoted in the papers saying he had told David Lee "to get more creative" on offnese. Well, he could hardly get less creative could he? Lee was also told to "open it up". Hootie didn't say what "it" was. Was it a can of whupass, a can of worms, a can of 'nutts' (is that redundant?) or what?

Hootie Nutt's idea of "opening it up" on offense is to wait until 4th down to punt or run something besides the draw play on 3rd down.

Now, all we're hearing from the Hill is "it's a 'new' season", "we're 1-0" and Hootie's team meeting the day after the Auburn game has "saved the season". My question is: why did the Hogs wait until the 6th game to play with a sense of urgency? The bottom line is Nutt coaches not to lose, like Broyles post-1970, like Holtz after his first couple of years in Fayetteville, like Hatfield his whole time here, and so on.

The common thread is that every UA football coach since Broyles has gotten more and more conservative the longer they were here after being at least a little daring at first. That common thread is J. Frank Broyles. For all he has done for the football program and the University, it was past time for Broyles to retire, several years past time, actually. There needs to be a house-cleaning at UA from top to bottom, not only in the athletic department but the school as a whole. Here's hoping the hiring of Jeff Long is a start.

Arkansas' favorite self-promoter is at it again. Hootie is proclaiming the team meeting last Sunday to be the turning point of the season. "I called that meeting Brotha"! I can hear it now.

With the next game coming against the Florida School For The Blind or The Florida International House Of Cupcakes or some such bunch of tackling dummies, look for a score of 63-3 or something similar and Hootie will be crowing like a bantam rooster surrounded by hens. "We're on a roll". Yessir. Well, Hootie, we hate to rain on your parade, but you know what they say about too many sweets.

IHOC won't exactly prepare the Hogs for South Carolina and the OL' Ball Coach, Tennessee at Knoxville, Misstake and LSU at Red Stick. You just know the OBC is itching to get at Hootie after last year, not to mention Not As Fat Phil and Less Miles, who will be aiming to keep the Trophy in Cajunland before UA hopefully gives Hootie The Boot.

Well, just as we thought, Hootie is crowing about the victory over hapless Ole Miss yesterday and once again, predicting great things for the Hogs. There is a column in the Stephens Media papers by John Brummett. Brummett, who I often disagree with, makes very vaild points in the piece, entitled: "Time For Nutt To Take Ego And Leave".

I couldn't agree more, especially with his points about Hootie making everything about himself, Nutt's spinning of the facts, and his coaching from timidity and fear. Also Brummett makes good points about Hootie's excuse-making and whining. And the more I find out about the man's wife and some of his friends, the less likable he is.

Time for a change and the outcome of one game against weak opposition doesn't change that. If anything, it only makes it more noticeable how much this team has underachieved this season.

With today's convincing win by the Hogs, one might think some of Nutt's critics mught back off, at least for a time. Not this one. A 44-8 win over a winless in the SEC Ole Miss doesn't mean much. It is a win and the players are to be congratulated. Any win over an SEC rival is a good win. However, in the long run, all it means is that the Hogs won't go 0-8 in the league.

It is the first win for the Razorbacks vs a non-directional school since last November's uninspiring win over cross state Misstake in Starkville. The fact is, minus all the wins over the 2 Mississippi schools, Houston Nutt's SEC record is abysmal.

It adds up to 24-11 vs UK, Vandy, SC and the Miss. schools, 15-28 against everyone else. The non-conference record is: 29-1 against non BCS (mostly directional)conference schools, 3-7 in non-conference games and bowls vs BCS conference schools.

It's time to decide whether or not mediocrity is acceptable. When Broyles fired Danny Ford, he said it was not. When he fired Stan Heath the Boss Hawg said just getting to the NCAA tourney was not enough. But just getting to a bowl in Shreveport or Nashville is? Not to an increasing number of fans and boosters.

Today's win makes for good tonic for the troops, but that's about it. At the end of the season will OM even have an SEC win? Maybe they can beat Misstake.

Well, tomorrow's the day.The loser's head coach will indeed be The Biggest Loser in the SEC. Part soap opera, part "reality show". Just wondering if the plane that has been following Nuttcase around the last 2 weeks will show in Oxford. If so, the air space above the Grove and Vaught-Hemingway Stadium could get quite crowded, with Ole Miss possibly having a plane of their own flying a banner touting the firing of Ed Orgeron.

If he goes, could UA get so lucky as to have the Rebs make a play for Nuttball? Just think, the Hogs could improve their own lot and weaken an opponent at the same time. Okay, I guess Nutrageous would be an improvement over Farmer Fran. You know, the guy in the overalls from The Waterboy now serving as the OM head coach. The guy no one could understand most of what he said. We can still hope. Keep hope alive!

Real Men Of Genius-Houston Nutt is a new video on youtube I happened across tonight. Of course, it's a takeoff on those Bud Lite ads a couple of years ago with the lounge singer guy. With permission fro the producer, you can find it on your left, on the bottom. And, yes it is funny or I wouldn't bother.

Let's see. Is there anything new in the Houston Nutt follies? Well, isn't there always even in the offseason? The guy has just become a walking punch line. Speaking of which, here are a few HDN jokes for your enjoyment:

Did you hear that Houston already has his Halloween costume picked out? Broyles advised him that his "expuhts" had said for Nutt to choose an outfit that no one would associate Nutt with. Something totally unexpected. So Houston's going as a Division 1 football coach.

What do Arkansas football and a Sundae have in common? They'd both be better without the nutts!

What did Danny Nutt say to Houston Nutt when he had the headsets on in the UK game? "Tell Dick to stay in the pocket".

What was Houston's best subject in school? Text education.

Why was Houston so upset when his playbook got stolen? Page 2 hadn't been colored in yet.

What did Houston tell Michael Smith to do if he went to jail? "Don't let go of the soap".

After Nutt's cellphone was stolen, why did the UA not report the theft? 'Cause the thief charged so many fewer minutes.

Why does no one ever ask Houston for change of a dollar? 'Cause he only gives 3 quarters.

Did you hear about Houston getting a prescription for viagra? David Lee told him he couldn't straighten out Dick.

When Broyles advised Nutt to get help passing the football, Houston bought a laxative.

That's 10, enough for tonight. More later.

Well, it took a few days, but Houston Nutt finally got around to playing the zebra card. You know the drill. After a loss, it was no fault of his, it was bad calls by the refs that cost the Hogs a victory.

He specifically mentioned the personal foul on Freddie Fairchild on an out of bounds tackle of Kodi Burns. Of course, Nutt claimed Burns was in bounds when contact occurred when anyone with eyes could see that was not the case. Not only that, but the sling down of Burns was way beyond the sideline. It was just a typical bonehead play that Nutt's teams characteristically make in big games.

That play put Auburn in the redzone, but they did not even score on that possession anyway. Brad Lester fumbled a play or two later. Therefore that call cannot be used as an excuse for the loss.

Nutt's boneheaded clock management late in the first half had as much to do with it as anything. The Hogs ended the half with at least 1 timeout left and let the clock run down to :02 before stopping it with Auburn having to punt. That did the Hogs a lot of good. If the clock had been stopped sooner, Arkansas could have had the ball at midfield or better with almost a minute left.

But then a pass or two might have been needed. What was the deal with that? Was his phone ringing or something?

Here in Fort Smith, both of the most popular dailies, the Times-Record and the Demozette featured our boy Houston in the cartoons in the editorial section today. Fitting, since the guy is a walking cartoon character. Also the punch line to any number of jokes. Just say the words 'Houston Nutt' these days and get laughs.

Like Will Rogers said: "it's easy being a humorist with the whole government working for you". Just sub Nutt's name or the UA athletic deptartment. Surely the powers that be at UA can't be so clueless as to not see and hear the banners, T shirts, message boards, call in shows, editorial cartoons, etc. Can they?

The expiration date on those Nutts may not be 2012 after all. At least we can hope.

On the KFSM Channel 5 news tonight, there was even a story about a "moral victory" for sale on Ebay featuring Nutt. Speaking of which, Houston has to be the only guy in the state, in the public eye at least, with as obvious a bad dye job on his 'do as 5 Sports Director MIke Irwin. Maybe those 2 have the same hair stylist.

There were several comments coming from Channel 5 viewers about the banners, etc. being "tacky". My question to those people is: #1, so losing is ok and #2 are you going to tell me Houston Nutt is not tacky?

Oh, yeah, one more thing. With George W. Bush's appearance in NWA today, the only guy with a lower approval rating than Houston Nutt should have invited Houston up to the podium. I can hear it now: "Nutty, you're doin' a heckuva job!!!".

The two men operate so much alike, it's eerie. Neither ever takes responsibility for anything. Neither has ever been wrong and when things get tough, an assistant falls on the sword. Now that Karl Rove has lots of time on his hands, maybe Jimmy Sexton, HDN's Superagent could enlist Rove's help in restoring his client's image. Or not.

On the same night that saw the Hogs fall to 0-3 in the SEC at RRS, just a few blocks away at the Walton Arts Center on Dickson Street, a few hundred dance enthusiasts came to see the Houston Ballet. The Houston Soap Opera and the Houston Ballet performed almost simultaneously.

I doubt that anyone flew a banner over the WAC before the performance. If they did, what would it say? Here are a few suggestions: "The Houston Ballet Dancers Have Two Left Feet!". How about: "Houston Ballet, We Have A Problem". Or: "Houston Ballet, Who Choreographs Your Show, Lisa Nowak?".

In spite of the obvious differences in the two shows, the Demozette's Michelle Parks gave the HB a rave review, while most of the crowd and press assembled at RRS would likely be a little less enthused about the Hogs' "performance". However, there were some similarities. For any Nutt-Huggers reading this, that means they were somewhat alike.

Here goes: at the start of one number, seven male dancers jumped randomly in place, sort of like male cheerleaders, or Houston Nutt and members of his staff on the sidelines. Here's another: The men, described by Ms. Parks as having "chiseled bodies", mimicked one another's movements. Sort of like Nutt in his rah-rah Harry Highschool routine of singing the fight song to the student section. Except for the part about the chiseled bodies, in Nutt's case.

Furthermore, according to the article, the dancers formed a family of 2 parents and 4 children. Like the Nutts. Then, two of the brothers "danced in a flurry". Like Houston and Danny. The same Danny who was in the coaches box for the UK game and who is still padding the payroll.

To top it off, "11 couples moved in unified and individual parts". Kinda like football players. Then at the conclusion of the number, "they all fell flat to the stage", just like the Hogs down the street.

I don't have a clue about such "artsy-fartsy" goings on, just what I read in the article. But, I do know this: if the Houston Ballet had performed "The Nutcracker Suite", it would have brought down the house.

Well, for any so-called "Haters", which has come to be one of the most overworked phrases in the version of English we speak in our country, who might have felt sorry for Houston D. Nutt after the loss last night, it's on! His comments about his contract running until 2012 and "I'm not going anywhere" in his presser today? Red meat to the ever-growing legion of his detractors. "The Army of 'Haters' to the North" is what his wife called them.

As if Nutt's only detractors live in Springdale. I've got news for you Mrs. Nuttcase, in a recent online poll run by KTHV Channel 11 in Little Rock , your husband's hometown, 95.9% of the respondents want a new Head Coach for the football team.

HDN's enemies list is well populated in every corner of the Natural State and sure to grow longer with every loss and asinine statement he makes to the press. In fact, you could call it the "Au Natural State" as more people every day realize the Emperor of the UA football program has no clothes.

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive. Words to live by. Or in Houston Nutt's case, to lose your job by. It's hard to jump on the guy for me right now, after such a hard fought game in which the defense finally played a really good game against a name opponent. I almost feel sorry for the guy. I say almost because Nutt has done so much of the damage to himself and the football program due to his own actions with regard to the lies and deceptions to Malzahn and the Springdale kids.

Once again, there was a banner flying over the stadium before the game with a message only slightly different than the one last week in the Rock. This time it said: "Players & Fans Deserve Better-Fire Nutt". I have mixed feelings on that.

On the one hand, I agree with the message. On the other, I cringe at such dirty laundry being aired for the whole world to see. However, the bottom line is: if Nutt had not told so many whoppers, if he had been upfront in his dealings with recruits and assistant coaches, not to mention the fans and the press, much of this current unpleasantness could have been avoided.

I know of several instances in which Nutt has flat out lied to recruits or at best broken promises. There is a current player having a good season who was promised a scholarship long ago on the condition that he win a starting job. He did 2 years ago and I recently learned he still does not have a free ride.

With Halloween fast approaching, that sort of thing usually comes back to haunt you. The whole email mess, the text scandal and Nutt's petulant response, the transfers of the 3 Springdale kids, and on and on. Nutt's refusal to accept responsibility for anything. Going off the field at halftime, the last thing he said to Holly Rowe of ESPN was an excuse about Marcus Monk.

Monk is missed, to be sure. However, injuries are part of the game. One of the biggest factors in football at any level. That's why schools' have 85 scholarships. If Nutt hadn't run Damien Williams off or failed to develop Chris Baker, London Crawford and others, Monk's injury would not be so crippling.

In so seldom throwing anything down the field or in the middle of the field, our "passing game" was so limited, opposing defenses had little respect for it anyway.

I never like to kick a man when he's down, but my take on Houston Nutt is simply that his chickens are coming home to roost. All the spinning and lies can be overlooked by many fans when the team is winning, but at 0-3 in the SEC, 6 losses in the last 7 games vs. real teams, the total lack of discipline and the used car salesman tactics are all combining to form a perfect storm raining down on Houston Nutt. If he wants to face down the one person most responsible, he need look no further than the man in the mirror.

Wee Wally Hall's "column" in the Demozette today is a prime example of Wally Pipsqueek cluelessness. His 10 reasons the Hogs will beat Auburn included a line about Houston Nutt assuring the players he will be back next season.

Guess what Wally? The decision might not be his. Not saying Nutt will be fired, necessarily. Just that with his Protector leaving and fan discontent at a 20 year high, if not the highest ever....anything could happen. After all, Hatfield only had 50,000 in the seats to boo him and Crowe and Ford created fan apathy to the point that the Hog faithful showed their discontent by staying home.

Of course, the Nutt camp spun things during the offseason, touting season ticket sales, etc. when fan discontent was raging way more than the clueless AD let on with his 5 "puh cent" statement last year.

As for this game, let's not forget that Auburn has a record of 18-5 (16-4 in the SEC)on the road the past 5 seasons, the nation's 2nd best road record during that time. That coupled with the Hogs woes at Fayetteville makes Wally's silliness even more moot.

I'll be rooting for the Hogs as usual, but with the realization that we're probably looking at another loss, even if Houston Nutt doesn't bungle things like he so often does. Nutt is all emotion and no logic, like a carnival barker or tent preacher while Tuberville is the opposite, or close to it. That does not bode well when tough decisions have to be made on the sidelines.

One can seldom tell if Tommy T. is winning or losing, but look for Nuttcase to be biting his nails early and often.

How about that Houston Nutt and his ability to, at least on the surface, ignore all the outside distractions and pesky things like having to cover for lies and spin, and do his job? After all, the man has been compared on more than one occasion to used car salesmen and politiicans.

If this football coaching thing doesn't work out after this season, what with Daddy leaving and all, Nutt could always go into either of those fields and be successful. Only thing is, he might need to develop a little thicker skin if he chooses the latter. Hiding behind the wifeys skirt ala the "Haters to the North" letter usually gets a pol dismissed as a wimp.

Maybe he can get a text from a certain female news anchor for advice, provided he can change the subject from their "mutual charitable interests".

His life and career have also been compared to a soap opera. How about a Jack Handey style voiceover? Will Houston elbow the band director out of the way and direct the UA band even if the Auburn kicker misses 5 or 6 kicks, which could be the only way the Hogs win this game?

Will Houston whip out his UA-issued cell phone and call or text anyone during the game?

Is there anything Nutt could do to cause his boss to hold him accountable?

Will Houston, Dennis Franchione, Joe Pa, and Mike Gundy star in a "reality tv show" called "Coaches behaving badly?". Put the four of them in a house, or better yet, on an island. Send some other out of work coaches there and voila! Instant ratings.

Watch them manuever. Joe Pa: "who drank my prune juice?" Nutt, "I confess, Gundy did it". Gundy: "I'm a 40 year old man! If you want to come up here and say that..., you drank it, Nuttsack!" Nutt: "No, I didn't. Nothing could be further from the truth". "Hold that thought, I gotta go to the bathroom for a #2. I don't pass things, I always have the runs".

What a "Banner" Year for Arkansas football! Just as Houston Nutt's seat couldn't get much warmer, along comes Auburn, with 2 of the state's natives playing for the Tigers. Kodi Burns of Fort Smith Northside and Rogers' Lee Ziemba are playing as true freshmen, with Ziemba starting at RT on the offensive line.

If Kodi Au-Burns the Hogs with a score and the Tigers win, think the heat on Houston is bad now? Just wait.

Black shirts in the student section. Anti- Nutt banners flying over the stadium in HDN's hometown, no less. Does a totally out-of-touch administration get the message yet? Or does the message have to come in the form of a text from Teresa Prewitt?

One of the things that drove home the point that Broyles and White were completely clueless about life outside the Ivory Tower of PCU, otherwise known as the University of Arkansas, was Broyles' "5 puh-cent" comment last year. Then, John White's endorsement of Nutt after the email fiasco and the "Mala-zahn" situation.

For those who talk about black shirts and banners being an example of "crazy, out of control fans" or Hog fans being a "laughing stock" in the rest of the SEC or nation, I have a simple message. The rest of the SEC is going to make fun of us no matter what we do. Do you think they weren't making fun of us when Nutt was a hero in the eyes of most of the fans? Of course they were!

As for the rest of the nation, they know little of Arkansas and care even less. Bill Clinton is a native of the state and that's about the extent of their knowledge. The older ones know about 1957. Some know of the state only because of the West Memphis 3 or Bangin' In Little Rock. Why do we still care so much what other states think of us?

And how do football fans wanting rid of a coach define a state? Bill Battle of Tennessee had "For Sale" signs put in his yard years ago. He was subjected to much worse treatment than Nutt, with a much better record. We need to decide which is more important, what the rest of the world thinks of us or whether mediocrity is acceptable. Whether the fans deserve honesty in the way the football or other athletic programs operate, or whether to maintain the status quo.

The answer to me is clear.

One thing about Ol' H. Nutt, there is always something to write about, which is how I justify having a blog devoted solely to the drama King. In today's Demozette, Rob Keys has a column comparing the 2 finalists for the Head Hog job back in Dec. 1997. You know, king of a comparison shopping type deal, like detergents or used cars.

Good thing for Nutt that the state's "lemon law" doesn't apply to coaches, 'cause many fans have since had buyer's remorse. In comparing the records, the results within the SEC West are very similar, Nutt 27-19 vs Western teams, Tuberville 28-18. Only a 1 game difference.

However, if you really want to know how they stack up, check the records vs. the SEC East and overall. Tommy Tuberville is 23-10 counting SEC championship games, with a winning record against all except Florida. And he's 3-4 vs. the Gators. In contrast, the Huggers' boy Houston is 11-21 with a winning record against only South Carolina.

For those of you scoring at home, TT is 51-28 vs SEC competition for a winning pct. of .646 in the last 9 seasons. Nutt is 38-40, with a winning pct. of .488. Quite a difference, huh?

Yet, Houston Nutt keeps coming back like a bad penny. Like a shopping cart with the wheel that goes off in all directions at once. And yes, like a lemon of a used car. Maybe one day, used car salesmen will get enough of being compared to Mr. Mediocrity and file a class action suit.

Oh, boy. Whether it's the NCAA probation which Houston Nutt used as an excuse for about 5 years, or a banner flying over War Memorial Stadium, Nutt loves to be the martyr. In case you missed it, there was a banner from a plane flying over WMS last night reading: "Nuttin' like being 0-2 in the SEC", which the Hogs have been 5 times in Nutt's 10 year reign of error.

I don't condone that, however, if someone feels that strongly to spend $700, which is the reported cost of such a thing, so be it. If that what it takes for an out of touch AD and administration to wake up and smell the napalm....

And that's in Nutt's hometown, no less. The man is being booed in both Fayette Nam and The Rock. In a recent online poll done by KTHV Channel 11 in Little Rock, the question was: "Do the Razorbacks need to make a coaching change?", yes or no. The last I checked, the numbers were astounding. 2748 votes yes, 115 no. That's 95.9 pct. in favor of Nutt taking his soap opera act elsewhere.

In his inimitable, whiny way, Nutt got that fart-smelling look on his face when asked today and whined " They couldn't find that banner last year when we were 7-0 in the conference". Well, isn't that special? But Nuttcase didn't want to talk about '04 and '05 last year, did he?

Like any good con man or used car salesman (you mean they're not one and the same?) Nutt tells people what they think the listener wants to hear and constantly tries to have everything both ways. They also are good at figuring out what it is people want to hear, and far too many Razorback fans want to hear excuses about injuries or probations or bad calls after losses.

I know. This was not a loss, but as far as the pundits and pollsters are concerned, it may as well have been. Auburn has to be salivating at the prospect of facing the weak rush "D" they will see on film, giving up 160+ yards to Tennessee Chattanooga.

With a rather uninspiring win over what has to be one of the weakest Hog opponents in years, UTC was coming off a 25 point thumping by The Citadel, the Razorbacks head back into SEC play next week vs. Auburn. The same Auburn who throttled Vandy today 35-7. The same Auburn that beat Florida in Gainesville a week ago.

If the Tigers or War Eagles or whatever they are calling themselves this week, are not intimidated by the Swamp, do you really think RRS in Fayetteville will? I didn't think so.

Back to the Hogs. The offense passed for a pathetic 116 yards, with 257 rushing for less than 400 total yards vs a team that gave up 41 to The Citadel. You can feel sorry for the players or coaches if you want. I feel sorry for the fans who paid top dollar for tickets, drove from all corners of the state, fought the ridiculous traffic in the Rock, etc. to see that fiasco.

I know what the Nutt-Huggers will say. Before St. Houston came along, "we were losing games like this". That was then, this is now. While it is nice to be able to count on wins against the cupcakes like UTC and The Citadel, 10 seasons is more than enough to get some wins vs. SEC teams besides Ole Miss and Misstake.

Mr. Mediocrity, Houston D. Nutt will never be able to win consistently enough in the SEC to get to that elusive "next level", in my opinion. He has become so divisive as to be a distraction. It is time for him to move on at the end of the season. Past time, actually, but nothing we can do about that now. Broyles had to be out of the picture before Nutt could be sent packing.

I don't think he will be, I think Nutt will take another job ala Hatfield. The writing is on the wall, and it's getting clearer all the time. There were boos for the Hogs, even in Little Rock tonight following the 65 yard touchdown run for UTC.

Note to Reggie Herring: If you're going to be mouthing off about your defense or the schedule, you look like a fool when your unit plays like that.

Yessir, tomorrow is the day we've all been waiting for, the big game against the UT-Chattanooga Mocassins. I wouldn't want to be in their mocassins even if the Hogs are sleep-walking through the most of the game. Again, if you're going to play teams like this, why not Arkansas State?

I know. It's a no-win situation for the Hogs. Win big and they're just doing what they're supposed to do. Win close and it's almost like a loss in the eyes of the pundits. Lose and you've made ASU's season.

However, I think it would prepare the Hogs better for the rigors of the SEC than the directional schools and rumdums they've played this season. Frank Broyles' policy of not playing in state schools is as antiquated as anything else the man has done the last few years. He always cites his home state of Georgia and how it hurt UGA and Georgia Tech when they played.

How? Both of those schools have won National Championships in football since the Hogs have. Georgia in 1980 and Tech in 1990. That argument just won't fly any more.

I attended the basketball game between the Hogs and ASU in the 1987 NIT, and seldom if ever have I felt more electricity at a basketball involving the Hogs, other than in the NCAA Tourney.

Yes, many of the ASU fans behaved boorishly. Yes, their cheerleaders unfurled a banner reading "how long will the Hogs run?", which was low class in the Hogs' own gym. But, it's not like UA has never played against boorish fans before. Ever hear of OU?

Reggie "Red" Herring made an ass of himself with his little tirade responding to queries about the Hogs' pillow-soft schedule. Knowledgable fans realize that the coaches do not have much input in the games their teams' play, which is more than the players have. None.

That does not change the fact that this in one of the easiest slates in the country, at least for D1A schools. It is one of the easiest ever played by the Hogs, without a doubt. With a sweep of Trojan State, the North Texas Green Weenies, and the Florida School for the Blind or whoever the third tomato can is, the Hogs can just about claim the Sun Belt title.

Problem is, this program should be above that. If we're going to play everybody else in that conference, why not Arkansas State? Might as well. At least it would hold the fans interest.

As for Herring's red herring, he went on to complain about NTSU's offense not prepping the Hogs for the SEC. You can't have it both ways Reggeroo. Don't bitch about people's perception of the sked and then whine about it being too easy on the other hand. That's what happens when you play creampuffs and directional schools.We are the only SEC school not playing at least one BCS conference team in the non-conference.

Spread offenses, the wishbone or some such offense is all that gives them any sort of sporting chance. I couldn't help but think part of it was a shot at "Mala-zahn", or "High School" as Reggie called Gus. It is what it is as coaches say, and we can't very well tell opponents what offense to run to prepare us for tougher competition, can we?

Baseball had Harry "the Hat" Walker. The Arkansas press has Harry "THe Hack" King. His column in today's edition of the Stephens papers, hits a new low. Rather than admit his boy Houston Nutt might not be the greatest thing to ever come up I-540, The Hack King went on a little diatribe about how coaches' pay doesn't guarantee victory, citing Alabama's 2 losses since beating the Hogs. Huh?!!!

This guy's nose is imbedded in HDN's hindquarters just as much as Nutt's nose is in Broyles'.This guy's writing sinks deeper all the time. Remember when he said LSU was overrated because they lost JaMarcus Russell? He needs to be writing about the best early-bird specials or something.

The tradition of the Arkansas sports press is to put the Hogs coach up on a
pedeastal as long as they're on the Hill, then trash them with the help of leaks from Big Frank as soon as they're gone. But only after telling us that coaching doesn't matter, it never helps to fire the coach, etc.

I would prefer that Nutt get another job regardless of what happens the rest of the season, but if he doesn't....There is no question that the UA football program would be left better than he found it.

The fact remains that Nutt's best year was his first. It seems clear that he has taken the program as far as he can. The Peter Principle still applies here. The fanbase has never been more divided and Nutt is incapable of putting it back together due to his lies and deceptions. It's time for a change!

One thing about our boy Houston, you never run out of material with the never-ending soap opera that is his life and career. To paraphrase Will Rogers, it's easy being a humorist when you have Houston Nutt and most of the UA Athletic department working for you. Of course, Rogers said that about the government, but the federal and state govs look efficient compared to the goings on on the Hill in recent years.

As for Darren McFadden grabbing the mike during Nutt's rah-rah Harry High School routine the other night. DMac in my opinion is the best player to ever put on a jock in Fayetteville, and the best player in the nation this season and last. But he is all wet with his statement that fans must support the coaches or they don't support the players. HOGWASH!

That's like saying someone must like George W. Bush to be an American. If our Founding Fathers had thought like that, we'd still be wearing powdered wigs and picking hankies out of our sleeves, pledging allegiance to King George. Ok, we are still doing the last part, but at least this King George was elected. Kind of.

There were also some whiny comments from recruits about booing. The players only have to put up with Nutt 4-5 years if they're good enough. The fans have been putting up with his used-car salesman ways for nigh on 10 years now.

Fans who make a fraction of Nutt's $1.2 MILLION per year in a state in the 40's of 50 states in per capita income, who pay $35 or more per ticket, many pay to park, make donations to the Foundation, drive from faraway places like McGehee, Paragould, Crossett, etc. have every right to boo the coach when he makes the same bonehead decisions every year and nothing is done due to an out-of-touch AD and pecksniffian Chancellor.

Hold that. Something was done. After the Teresa Prewitt email fiasco, Nuttsack was assigned to investigate himself and given a raise and contract extension.

Well folks, if the UA, which has come to stand for Under Achievers in athletics, ever decides to form a Horse Shoe Pitching team, sign Houston Nutt on as the coach. If I had a dollar for every time Nutt has used the phrase "we're this close", holding his thumb and index finger less than an inch apart in his 10 season reign of error, I might just be up there with him in the salary department.

Another of his favorite catchphrases is "nothing could be further from the truth". As in: "there's no dissension on the staff, nothing could be further from the truth". When he uses that one, watch his nose grow. If it's not broken from Frank turning a corner too quickly, that is.

Daddy leaving at the end of the year will be a major factor in what Nutt decides to do as far as beating the posse out of town, because if he isn't fired after this season, next year with no DMac, Hillis or Monk will be ugly.

Therefore it just makes sense for Nuttcase to leave on his own with some whiny spiel about how insatiable fans who expect to win every game ruined his "dream job". Love that helmet and all.