Arkansas Football: It's Now or Never for Coach Bobby Petrino

The hire of Bobby Petrino by the University of Arkansas was supposed to be a home-run hire. For the most part, it has proven to be a successful hire. Last season, the Razorbacks finished second in the SEC West and were selected to play in the Sugar Bowl. Despite losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes, it was a step in the right direction.

Despite coach Petrino's mild success with the Razorbacks, he has not accomplished what he was hired to do as of yet. Prior to his arrival in Fayetteville, the Razorbacks had won their division and played in the SEC championship game twice in six years. However, since that time, Alabama, LSU and Auburn have won national championships, and Arkansas has remained a middle of the road team. 

If the Arkansas Razorbacks are going to reach the heights that Coach Petrino was hired to take them to, it must be now. This week, Coach Petrino will take his Razorbacks into Tuscaloosa, Alabama to face Nick Saban's Crimson Tide. A win in Tuscaloosa is never easy. However, Coach Petrino has a chance to show he is more than just a dominant Big East coach and that he belongs with the big boys.

Arkansas has been preparing for Alabama since fall practices started. Their first three games were against Missouri State, New Mexico and Troy. Chances are that they have given little preparation for those games. All of their attention has been focused on the University of Alabama.

If Coach Petrino cannot beat Coach Nick Saban with months of preparation, chances are he will never be able to. As a result, this is a must-win for the Razorbacks. 

Under Coach Petrino, the Razorbacks are 3-8 versus teams that finished the season ranked in the top 25. The top players in the state continue to go to Auburn. He needs this game to make a splash.

I feel positive that Coach Petrino has been holding back in the first three games. He has a strategic plan just for the Crimson Tide.

Will it be enough?