Just Saying......

It is no secret to anyone that I am a BIG football fan, especially when it comes to the Arkansas Razorbacks. To most people, this is no problem, but when you live an hour from Arkansas State, some people are offended by my loyalty to the University of Arkansas. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have been asked why don't I go watch the Red Wolves instead of the Razorbacks. I can't really tell you how I became such a big Hog fan. I didn't really go to Razorback or Red Wolf games growing up. I guess I was just a football fan who was sucked into the Razorbacks because they are the flagship university in Arkansas. I am a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and I don't attend their games either. I think the success of the program has a lot to do with it. When I became interested in the Razorbacks, they were experiencing success when ASU and OBU weren't. I, like most people, was drawn to that. I was hooked.

This is a really unique time for fans of Arkansas and ASU as both teams are riding huge waves of success. Both teams are coming off of 10-2 seasons. Arkansas State won the Sunbelt Conference Championship. Both teams are playing in January bowl games. It is a great time to be a Red Wolf or Razorback fan. Yesterday was a historic day for Arkansas State. After losing their head coach to Ole Miss earlier in the month, they have successfully hired Auburn Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn. I can't tell you how big this is for ASU. This is the biggest hire in the programs history.

While hiring Malzahn is huge, Red Wolf fans need to remain realistic. Malzahn's hiring has resurrected the old "Arkansas needs to play ASU" talk again. Let me make one thing really clear. THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. Let it go. Forget about it. Move on. Let me explain my reasoning. First of all, to us, the fans, it is a game. It is about competition; the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. To university officials, its business. It is about what is going to generate the biggest gate. Now, keeping that in mind lets look at both schools. This is appealing to ASU because generally, ASU fans don't buy tickets and attend games. In 2011, the average attendance at ASU Red Wolf games was 21,032 in a stadium that holds 30,708 or 68% capacity. The average is generous because two games, Memphis and UCA, sold nearly 29,000 tickets. Remove those games and the average falls to 17,100 or 56% capacity. Ticket sales to the U of A Fayetteville games averaged 72,113 in a stadium with 72,000 capacity, more than 100%. Little Rock games averaged 54,184 in a stadium with 54,120 capacity, more than 100%. I say all of that to make this point, Arkansas is going to sell out no matter who they play. From this perspective, ASU is the only one who stands to gain anything. Number next, consider the payout factor. Arkansas would have to pay ASU to come play them. Again, a no win situation for Arkansas. Granted, it would keep the payout money in state, but again there is no benefit to Arkansas. Last, lets consider the game itself. If Arkansas beats ASU, it is no big deal. If ASU beats Arkansas, it would be catastrophic to the Razorback program. Again, not a good position for Arkansas to be in. This is why Arkansas will not play ASU....ever....

Now, back to the Malzahn hire and its significance to ASU. This is huge for ASU. ASU fans should be super excited, but lets be realistic. Heck, I am not an ASU fan and I am excited. Gus will win there. His brand of football will be fun to watch. Under Malzahn ASU will see another conference championship or two, but they are A LONG WAY from BCS bowl games or a BCS Championship. I am not saying that ASU will never be a top notch Division I program, but it is still a long way off. That is something Red Wolf fans need to keep in mind. Hiring Gus Malzahn doesn't put you in the top 25. Winning does. To win, you need the coach and the athletes. To get that, fans have to go to the games. I am not trying to be ugly or rude or play Debbie Downer. I am just trying to keep it real. Get behind your team. Don't just buy a T-shirt and call yourself a fan. Buy season tickets. Go to the games. That raises funds that will needed to be put back into facilities and pay top tier coaches. If you want to be the next Boise State, that is what you have to do. Come on Red Wolf fans! Band together and enjoy the ride you are on. i guarantee it will be one Howl of a ride! Just saying.........