Life’s Certainties: Death, Taxes, and the Razorbacks Losing Another Close Game.

The Razorbacks jumped out to an early lead but once again failed to close the deal, continuing a recurring issue under Pittman’s teams.

Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II (0) celebrates a successful 2-point conversion in front of Jaylon Braxton (11) during double overtime in the game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Arkansas Razorbacks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Credit: Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network)

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas moved the ball with ease all day against Oklahoma State in Stillwater.

However, bad snaps, costly turnovers, and penalties allowed the Cowboys to climb back into a game that the Razorbacks seemed poised to win. Since Sam Pittman took over in 2020, Arkansas has now played 21 one-possession games, with today’s loss bringing his record in such contests to 6-15.

If you ignore the final score and just look at the stats, the Razorbacks’ 648 yards of offense should have been enough for a victory. Arkansas outgained Oklahoma State on the ground, 232 to 59, and even limited Heisman hopeful Ollie Gordon to 69 total yards. However, Gordon did score the game-winning touchdown.

Oklahoma State’s Jeff Roberson (22) and Collin Oliver (30) sacked Arkansas’ Taylen Green (10) in the first half of the game between the Cowboys and the Razorbacks at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Credit: Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman/USA TODAY Network)

Despite having a struggling offense last season that averaged just 326 yards and 26 points per game, Arkansas lost six consecutive games, with five of those losses being by a touchdown or less. Sam Pittman has brought in three different offensive coordinators, yet the results have remained unchanged.

The situation seems to exemplify the old adage about insanity: “doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” Clock management issues, turnovers, special teams errors, and penalties at crucial moments in the fourth quarter also played a role in the Razorbacks’ road defeat.

Oklahoma State managed a second-half comeback, outscoring Arkansas 32-10 and accumulating 308 total yards, with 11 points coming off two turnovers. Under Pittman, it has become common for the Razorbacks to relinquish control of games and hand victories to opponents, fitting the definition of insanity.

HOGS FEED:

• New dynamics for the Razorbacks after a tough pick-six break
• Oklahoma State poses no real threat, a perfectly average team on Arkansas’ schedule
• Nutt discusses how he would motivate the Hogs for their road game against Oklahoma State