Arkansas Defense: Is It Really That Bad?

As some of the Arkansas faithful continue to track planes, the season rolls on. With this passion from some within the fanbase, this can blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Stomaching gutwrenching back-to-back losses, fans are clamoring for change as the Hogs are 2-2, 0-1 in the SEC, and welcome Notre Dame to Fayetteville for a week five matchup. With this, we will analyze the defense and how the offense is not squeaky clean, in this deep dive. In addition to this, we at Last Word will have a hard conversation on the optics of rooting for a coach’s demise, and a possible bright spot during a dark two weeks for Razorbacks football. 

Arkansas Defense: Is It Really That Bad?

We begin with the defense as it has shouldered the blame this season within the narratives. With this, let’s take a step back and look at some facts. As we enter week five, and a marquee meeting with Notre Dame, Arkansas has a respectable ranking defensively. Through four games, Arkansas allows 227.8 rushing yards per game, which is good for fourth in the conference and 20th nationally. While this number is not the most pristine, it is not the apocalypse that fans have painted. 

Through the air, Arkansas has 324.3 yards weekly, good for fourth in conference and 15th nationally. Thus far, Arkansas has created pressure as they have 10 sacks through four weeks. This defense is not the shutdown unit fans may dream of, and they are not without blame, but they are not the only reason for losses. 

If we think back to last season for Arkansas, there is a common denominator in its losses: turnovers. In the two losses in 2025, this issue has not been fixed. As harsh as some fans have been on Pittman and the defense, including coordinators Marcus Woodson and Travis Williams, the offense has been stagnant at times. Despite scoring with Ole Miss being a marathon game, and leaping to a 28-10 lead against Memphis, both games ended with losses. In the most recent loss, the Bobby Petrino-led offense only scored three points in the second half. To make this worse, this unit would, again, fumble the ball late in the game. 

Not seeing the full picture of the struggles makes the seat of Pittman oddly warm. As powerful as the offense is, if the players continue to fumble games away, it does not matter who is in the seat; it will be warm. Blaming one side of the ball ignores how these losses were more self-inflicted wounds from ghosts of seasons past. All of these issues are coming from a group that is expected to score on every drive from some fans. 

The Ugly Side of Fans

While we agree the tenure of Pittman has not been flashy, it has not been the debacle of others in the past. If you think the on-field product is irritating, the optics off the field are embarrassing. After the Ole Miss loss, fans began to grumble, yet remained confident about the “G6” opponent in Memphis. Following the 32-21 loss in the Bluff City, fans have pitchforks ablaze and are creating a line from Fayetteville to a lake house on Lake Hamilton, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. 

Posts on social media read, “Fire Everyone”, which also included Athletic Director Hunter Yurackek. Local media have taken comments from national podcasts and run like Darren McFadden to tease that Petrino, and anyone else, could be the interim coach. These pipe dreams include a clause within the contract of Pittman, where if his overall record dips below .500, his buyout drops. 

But to root actively for a coach to lose? This is a horrible look nationally and, more importantly, locally, in recruiting. Beyond this, if there is a change at the head coach, what coach would see these optics and immediately think, “I want to coach there”? We do not expect many to jump at the chance, and the toxicity of the fans is a large reason for this. We understand the frustration with losses, but to completely turn on a program to the point some have suggested to “Boycott” the upcoming Notre Dame game, is repulsive. 

In his sixth season with Arkansas, Pittman took a job that was the laughing stock of the nation, off of a Chad Morris debacle, and has created buzz around the Hogs. We understand fans want wins, but there has to be a realization of reality. As we have seen throughout college football, firing a coach midseason creates many more problems than solutions. If anything, this can, at times, set the program back further than waiting to dismiss. With the Irish on the horizon, fans should channel that hatred for the coach into support. 

Irish Charm

Is there an Irish Charm that can favor the Razorbacks? Despite meltdowns from Hogs and fans, it is good that Arkansas is back in Fayetteville in week five. In what is a second consecutive ABC, 11 am kickoff, the Razorbacks welcome Notre Dame. This is  the first meeting ever between these programs in their history. Looking back over the Pittman era, an Arkansas home underdog sets up for a possible upset early in the day. 

The team, in all three phases, will need to play mistake-free football to have the best chance. While we won’t spoil our keys to success just yet, this game has great storylines within its lines of play. Arkansas holds an eight-game home winning streak against non-SEC opponents, which could be a factor. The Razorbacks are not doomed as they enter week five. They need to play well and use some Irish luck to their advantage. 

Can Arkansas flip the momentum and quiet the noise? Fix the fumbles, balance the blame, and rediscover the Razorbacks’ spirit. Notre Dame awaits, and Fayetteville is ready to Woo!