Arkansas' game against Florida International was what it was: an easy victory over a team that is now winless in 20 straight games. And when you gift-wrap a game like the Golden Panthers did last Saturday, it is easy to have the country's longest losing streak, even though Florida International rushed for 209 yards on the day.
The game was effectively over after the Golden Panthers' second play from scrimmage resulted in a fumble being recovered by the Razorbacks. While Arkansas' first offensive drive only netted five yards (including negative yardage for Darren McFadden) and a field goal, three more first half turnovers by Florida International allowed the Razorbacks to claim a 31-10 lead at the end of the second quarter.
The second half was more of the same (minus the Golden Panthers' scoring), as three interceptions and 27 points by the Razorbacks created a rout. Sure, the Razorbacks' last touchdown came with 47 seconds left in the game and could be viewed as running up the score by football doves, but football is not a gentleman's sport.
With seven total turnovers by the Golden Panthers, the Razorbacks didn't even need the legs of McFadden or Felix Jones to cruise to an uncomplicated 58-10 trouncing.
Coming Up: After going undefeated in Sun Belt Conference play, Arkansas must now focus on the second half of the other conference where it competes - the SEC. The first half of SEC play was rather unkind to the Razorbacks, with a 1-3 mark including losses to Alabama and Auburn by a combined five points.
At 5-3, Arkansas is one victory away from a trip to Memphis or Shreveport, but a few victories short of a larger bowl game. The road to that one bowl-eligible victory is a tough one, as the remaining teams on Arkansas' schedule are also jockeying for bowl position, with South Carolina and LSU already bowl eligible, and Tennessee and Mississippi State one victory away.
First up is a South Carolina Gamecock team still smarting from a comeback victory attempt last week against Tennessee that stalled in overtime. After being in the forefront of the SEC East, the Gamecocks have stumbled badly, with back-to-back losses.
It's going to be a gutter brawl, but Saturday's game is one Arkansas has to win if it wants to continue righting this season. And even though the Gamecocks shut down opponents' passing attack, South Carolina's run defense is vulnerable, allowing 169.2 yards per a game, including 290 running yards against LSU, the SEC's No. 2 rushing team after Arkansas. After a rest against the Golden Panthers, McFadden and Jones better be ready to carry the rock come Saturday.
Prediction: Arkansas 24, South Carolina 21