After suffering its 2nd consecutive loss to fall to 5-5, Arkansas now must beat Ole Miss or longtime rival Missouri to reach a bowl game.

That’s not exactly how it seemed the season would play out after the Hogs reached No. 10 in the AP poll not so long ago.

Here’s how we got to this point:

Backup QB play

Behind KJ Jefferson there hasn’t been much production from those behind him this season.

Outside of a couple of long connections to wide-open receivers a month ago against Mississippi State, Malik Hornsby hasn’t necessarily been a promising option.

Cade Fortin, who looked pedestrian at best in the same game looked exactly opposite against LSU. The South Florida transfer completed 8 of 13 passes for 92 yards and 1 touchdown in just more than a quarter of play.

Back to the Hornsby topic, however: For a guy with all the speed in the world, it may be time to focus on a different position if he wants to see playing time at Arkansas. The player who has 10-second 100-meter dash speed may be better suited elsewhere in the offense. Hornsby split time between receiver and quarterback during the spring and fall camps but has been primarily a quarterback since the Mississippi State game.

Saturday’s loss didn’t show much promise for the future at quarterback room if Arkansas is without Jefferson next season.

Punting

It’s been a back-and-forth affair this season in this facet of special teams. Through the first 5 games, Max Fletcher’s punts for mostly traveled between 30 and 40 yards.

The Australian style punter was replaced by Reid Bauer. Quickly, Arkansas was backing opponents up against their own end zone again.

Bauer’s ability to place the ball inside LSU’s 20 and an average punt of 41 yards helped Arkansas flip the field on multiple occasions. The Razorbacks may have not started the right guy early on but they seem to be back on track with the senior punter.

Motivation, effort and leadership

Back to the tough love again. This team lacked motivation and effort against Liberty and wound up losing a buy game at home for the first time with Sam Pittman as coach.

On Saturday, this Razorback team did something it hadn’t since the Cincinnati game in Week 1. That’s playing a complete game. In nearly every game this season between South Carolina and Liberty, Arkansas picked and chose which half or quarter it wanted to compete in the most.

That is something that never happened during the 2020 or 2021 seasons at Arkansas. Competing for 4 quarters keeps you in games that you shouldn’t be in. The Hogs did that Saturday with absolute motivation, effort and leadership on defense.

If they can keep that up while bringing back Jefferson from injury, the Razorbacks can meet the bowl eligibility requirement.

Enthusiasm for the game

For most of the season there hasn’t been much celebration for big plays on defense including turnovers, sacks, tackles for loss or any negative play generated. There’s been little intensity, kind of mellow mindset.

When you’re playing a top-10 team at home, your team must bring the energy and generate momentum organically with the crowd. The fight that was on display at Razorback Stadium showed that Pittman hasn’t lost the locker room, the team hasn’t let go of the rope and the fans truly believed in Arkansas’ comeback bid.

Instances included transfer Dwight McGlothern hilariously mouthing at his former teammates. Chest and hip bumps after forced turnovers and sacks.

Finally, while this hasn’t been the best season for Razorback football it certainly hasn’t been the worst either. However, this is a team still rebuilding and adding depth to compete in the Southeastern Conference.

As was said on social media after the game, a small number of changes at specific moments might have the Hogs 8-2 at this point. College football is a game of inches.

Arkansas has two more chances at bowl eligibility this season. There is the home finale against Ole Miss. Then, they travel to take on Missouri with hopes of retaining the Battle Line Rivalry trophy.