High hopes: Achievers like it, losers lament their disappointment.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It is incorrect to anticipate fans to hold “realistic” expectations for Arkansas in any sport. This mentality contributes significantly to the recurring disappointment that plagues the Razorbacks each year, spanning all sports and levels.
The conclusion of every season is overwhelmingly marked by a sense of letdown. This trend extends to college football, where over 100 schools experienced disappointment when Michigan emerged victorious, leaving the rest without a title.
Similarly, when Kansas City secured the Super Bowl last weekend, 31 fan bases were left disheartened. The prevailing outlook should be one of aspiring for championships; otherwise, accepting anything less becomes normalized.
If the Hogs achieve 9 wins in football this year, and one is content with that outcome, it becomes a personal decision. The annual question, in seasons devoid of championships, should center around “what steps are being taken to rectify this?”
There was a time in Arkansas when the expectation each year was nothing short of a championship. Frank Broyles faced inquiries about how a one-loss season would be addressed. In 1976, after Broyles’ .500 final season, Lou Holtz, who assumed the Razorbacks’ job, noted that people typically rise or fall to meet expectations—a sentiment that proved prophetic across various aspects of life.
Football, especially for the Hogs, has declined to a level where certain members of the media, excusing failures, reference games in the last decade where they came “close” to defeating top-tier teams. Despite never having secured a national championship trophy, some individuals are now advising fans not to expect it. This conversation has now shifted to baseball, with Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn likely appreciating the elevated expectations. It aligns with the mindset of championship-level individuals. Currently, the Hogs seem to have a reasonable chance of reaching Omaha, representing the most optimistic expectation given the unpredictability of injuries and weather conditions at the College World Series.
