Ugly Arkansas loss brings serious questions about program's future

The Razorbacks (2-6, 0-5 in SEC) lost 7-3 to Mississippi State on Saturday despite the Bulldogs being without starting quarterback Will Rogers.

Arkansas's offense was so bad it's worth wondering if offensive coordinator Dan Enos is getting his resume ready to apply for the same position at Iowa.

The Razorbacks were heavily criticized afterward.

A second-half QB sneak on a fourth-and-one was the perfect distillation of the offensive ineptitude displayed in Fayetteville. 

The Razorbacks' offensive line didn't get a push as the Bulldogs easily blew up the play in the backfield. Quarterback KJ Jefferson finished 18-of-31 for 97 yards and an interception.

During the preseason, SEC media members selected Arkansas to finish fifth, ahead of Auburn and Mississippi State. The program even received three first-place votes.

However, after its Week 8 loss, Arkansas is in the cellar of the SEC, one of three teams without a conference win (Auburn, Vanderbilt).

Head coach Sam Pittman had his most success in 2021, improving the Razorbacks to a 9-4 record following a 3-7 finish in his first season the previous year.

He's 2-0 in bowl games, including a win in the Liberty Bowl last season as Arkansas finished 7-6.

Already having reached last year's loss total with four games remaining on the schedule, the Razorbacks are at a crossroads with their head coach. The team's taken a massive step backward in only his fourth season in charge.

Most problematic in Saturday's loss was the awful offensive line play, which is supposed to be Pittman's strength. He's coached offensive line at multiple stops, most recently at Georgia. 

The unit took a step back against Mississippi State, as did the entire team. When a team fails like Arkansas has this year, the head coach usually is the one to answer for it. Unless the Razorbacks show more fight for the remainder of the season, this could be the end of the road for Pittman.