WinChill Factor – An-tic-i…(SAY IT!!)…pa-tion: Razorbacks Take the Field

 

It’s here.   

Well, not quite here but, by golly, close enough.  Who knew that Tom Petty was so prophetic?  The waiting really is the hardest part.

But we are about to be handsomely rewarded for our patience with a conference game right out of the gate.  The last time the Razorbacks opened the season against a conference foe was September 1, 1980.  At that time, the No. 6 Hogs took on the No. 10 Longhorns in Austin.  The Hogs lost 23-17 that day and, well, let’s just get it out there:  Most of those who watched the game attribute the loss to Coach Holtz’s decision to deck the team out in red pants.

It may not seem so now, but that was a monumental move in 1980, WinChillers.  It’s kind of like wearing white helmets instead of red ones – only 10 times worse.  Even today, some would argue that we’re still feeling the fashion repercussions of Sweet Lou’s fateful decision.  (Helpful Hint:  this is called foreshadowing – sort of).

More recently, the earliest SEC opener was the Razorback’s second game of the 2009 season.  We hosted Georgia on September 19th in Fayetteville.  In front of a national audience on ESPN and despite wearing white pants, the Hogs were dropped by the Dawgs by a score of 52-41.

Granted, this is a rather small sample size, but there are those among us who are of the opinion that the University of Arkansas typically saves its best football for mid-October.  Their fear is that the Hogs have some problems hitting the ground running.  Further analysis also reveals that, of this group, 87.3% also share the opinion that the lucky windbreaker ain’t so lucky.

Yes, we went 3-9 last season.

But that was last year.  We now have in front of us a whole new season chock full o’ possibilities.  Why, we might go 12-0.  Or 13-0.  Or even 14-0 or 15-0!  We just don’t know!  And isn’t that why we love this game?

And here’s the thing:  It’s not the color of the pants and it ain’t a stylish piece of polyester with a cool Olympic collar with a Razorback emblazoned across the heart.  A coach’s decision on clothing (even one that I wholeheartedly agree with and benefit from) has zero impact on the outcome of a game.  It’s what we’ve done in the off season that dictates what will happen in season.  Luck?  Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.  This team is better prepared and ready to tear up the plains of Auburn.  Heck, we’re likely to hit’m so hard this year that they won’t have to fake their injuries.

_______________________________________

This week’s WinChill Factor is Brandon Allen.  How he performs on August 30th will set the tone for not only this game, but the season to come.  He’s worked hard and the O-line is coming along nicely.  He deserves a signature win – let’s get it done against those Tigers.  Or War Eagles.  Or…whatever.

Until next time:  Fear the Sleeves.

***

Coach Bielema’s Windbreaker made its physical presence known on August 31, 2013.  It is chock full of Razorback spirit, has an unhealthy hatred of sweater vests and fears nothing (other than a hot iron on the “Cotton/Linen” setting).  As game days approach, the Windbreaker can be found interacting with the Razorback faithful on Twitter (@BielWindbreaker).

At times, the Windbreaker associates with Shayne Smith, a lifelong resident of central Arkansas who has been known to begin sentences with “Notwithstanding the foregoing….”

razorbacks take the field for 2014 season

 

Tags: ,