2003 LSU Vs. Arkansas - a review

Since the Arky rhetoric has reached nauseating levels, I thought it necessary to revist 2003.

Going into their November 28th, 1:40pm, showdown in Tiger Stadium, Arkansas was 8-3 and LSU was 10-1 and ranked #3 in the nation with an SEC Championship trip on the line and National Championship dreams still a legitimate possibility (a loss would have sent Ole Miss to the SEC champ and the season's goals a failure, I believe).

Arkansas appear to be playing great football, having defeated their previous three opponents (USCe, MSU, and New Mexico) by the score of 128-32. They were on a roll and looking to play spoiler to LSU that year. This Arkansas team had taken Florida (whom LSU lost to) to the wire, losing 33-28 and had lost by only 1 TD to Auburn. Their only other loss was to Eli Manning's Ole Miss team who also took LSU to the wire and was still in the running for the SEC Championship.

The year before (2002), Arkansas had beaten LSU 21-20 in Little Rock; in 2001 LSU won 41-38, and in 2000 Arkansas had won 14-3. The series had been very tight the previous years.

On that cold November day, however, thanks mainly to a smothering defense, LSU won 55-24 and easily cruised on to the SEC Championship game and ultimately the National Championship.

Arky fans, you love to discuss the past few years. You love to say how in 2010 you beat us in Little Rock, how in 2009 it took OT for us to beat you in BR, etc. etc. ad nauseum. You tout your record this year, etc. etc. But this year will be a repeat of 2003. An Arkansas team which beat up on a pathetic UT team and has barely squeaked by cellar dweller teams will meet a similar fate as in 2003.

The only real team you've faced exposed you as the fraud you'll always be - the little lap dog who barks non-stop - a shrill aggravating bark - only to roll over when the big dog comes around.

Come November 25th your incessant claims of grandeur will once again be replaced by your humbled mutterings of "Wait til next year!"