re: I've spent the week visiting family in Arkansas...

National televised game, played in Jerry World - that is what made it feel like a 'bowl game', not the fact that it was against aTm (no disrespect, but playing aTm is a normal again yearly thing.)

The anticipation was also heightened by knowing that we had a legitimate chance to get back on the winning track in SEC play, regardless of the opponent.

So, yes, the game was big to us, but aTm just happened to be the opponent, not what made it something like a 'bowl game'.