Good to have a big time opponent the last week of the year. There are only two opponents on our schedule that are big time every year and the other one plays in the Iron Bowl at the end of every year. I don’t want to have LSU at the first half of our schedule because you will be making the same mistake that Tennessee makes every year when they front load their schedule with all the tough opponents then end the year in November with Memphis, Vandy, and Kentucky. Sure they get three wins to finish every season but they don’t allow their team time to jell and get better through the year like Arkansas has been doing under Petrino the last few years.
If LSU is replacing Arkansas as its opponent to end the regular season, Jeff Long says he isn’t aware of it.
Long used Twitter to respond to reports that “The Battle For The Boot” might eventually move form its traditional post-Thanksgiving timeslot.
“Hog Fans, I do not know where LSU is getting this information. Have had repeated conversation with SEC Officials and there are no plans as of 6/1/12 to change LSU from our season ending Football game.”
No plans for this year or beyond? It should be noted Long doesn’t specify.
LSU athletic director Joe Alleva has expressed an interest in changing opponents and said the change could come as soon as 2014.
Arkansas and LSU have ended the regular season against each other since 1992 when the Razorbacks joined the SEC. LSU leads the all-time series 12-8, including a 24-point victory last season. From 2005-2010 the average margin of victory was 3.5 points.
Presumably, the Razorbacks would replace the Tigers with another set of Tigers. Missouri will become Arkansas’ permanent cross-division rival in 2014.
LSU-Arkansas will meet on the Friday after Thanksgiving this year. The game will be shown on CBS and is scheduled for Fayetteville.
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