Every Monday, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman gives a presentation to his team about the upcoming opponent. It includes a breakdown of the other team’s roster and strategies, but it’s also a chance for Pittman to motivate his players.
One of the points Pittman makes is that the Razorbacks have never beaten Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, after six attempts.
“That’s certainly part of it. Anything you think can be a little bit more of a motivator, which we shouldn’t need anything else,” Pittman said. “They beat the hell out of us last year. That should motivate us. But the problem is a lot of the kids on the team and playing weren’t here last year, too, so you have to find different ways to motivate. That’s my job.”
The Razorbacks (6-5, 3-4 SEC) don’t need the extra push of needing a sixth win to become bowl eligible since they secured their spot with last week’s win over Louisiana Tech. The No. 23 Tigers (8-3, 4-3), on the other hand, have already clinched a bowl game for the seventh consecutive year they have been eligible.
Still, the outcome of this game could influence which bowl game both teams attend, with a win possibly leading to a better bowl selection. A victory would also provide some momentum for both Pittman and Missouri’s coach Eli Drinkwitz as they look ahead to recruiting season.
“I think 7-5, 4-4 in the league and beating a Top 25 team — I think that would really help us in recruiting and recruiting in the portal,” Pittman said. “We’re going to a bowl either way, but it would be big, big to get that win, so we’re going to try like hell.”
Missouri is expected to put up a strong fight, as the team sends off a senior class that has helped improve the program.
“There can be a lot of mixed messages throughout the week,” Drinkwitz said. “I think the biggest thing for us is, this is about the seniors. And rivalry week is important and the Battle Line Trophy is important, but more important for us is playing for those guys and sending those guys out the right way.”
