Monopoly Football

Arkansas college athletics are unique in the sense that its primary Division I-A program won't play its fellow in-state I-A brethren. The University of Arkansas believes that if it played in-state schools, it would be harming itself.

Apparently they feel that their program would fall to the level of Florida-Florida State-Miami, Texas-Texas A&M, UCLA-USC, and the like rather than keeping themselves at the pinnacle of NCAA sports like they are today.

The Razorback decision-makers apparently think that they would lose the excitement and revenue of the UA-New Mexico State or UA-ULM game. Everyone knows, especially the Arkansas taxpayer, that those games draw more fans than an Arkansas-Arkansas State or Arkansas-UCA game would.

The most exciting basketball game in my memory is the Arkansas State vs. Arkansas matchup in the NIT Tournament back in the late 80's. ASU went to Barnhill Arena and put a stomping on Nolan Richardson's Razorbacks for most of the game. In the second half the Razorbacks depth began to show and they crawled back to send the game into overtime. In the overtime period the Razorbacks had their way with ASU as the ASU players were totally exhausted and succumbing to leg cramps. The most intense game I have ever experienced, with high points for both sides, and an outcome that didn't leave anybody too mortally wounded. After all, its not like somebody lost to Texas.

Wouldn't it be great to pack Alltel Arena with a UA-UALR or UA-ASU matchup each year? Would it be that damaging to UA to face off with either of those teams in a packed arena? Would it be better than watching UA play Prairie View A&M or College of Timbuktu in front of a cupcake audience? Arkansans will have to decide for themselves.

However, the UA has gone father. So far as to let the University of Louisiana-Monroe make the game at War Memorial in Little Rock a home game to help that University maintain its Division I-A status. The taxpayers of Arkansas, should thank UA for helping this Louisiana university out, perhaps Arkansas taxpayers can fund University of Louisiana-Monroe instead of UCA or ASU. Maybe we should also spring for textbooks and beer for New Mexico State as well.

Of course, the Razorbacks don't really want to play at War Memorial in Little Rock anyway. Despite it being a wonderful place where they win most of the time. Little Rock is only good for handing out money and if they want to see a UA game, let them drive to Fayetteville.

Some UA apologists go so far as to suggest that ASU drop out of Division I-A, leaving Arkansas with only one Division I-A team. Most states want all of the Universities in their state to progress and would be pleased to have multiple successful I-A sports teams in their state.

Arkansans haven't woken up to that concept yet. But they will. Someday, when the regime changes in Fayetteville we will have some real, exciting, I-A in-state rivalries here. Just like in Texas, just like in California, just like in Florida, just like in Mississippi, just like in Georgia, etc. Someday, the State Legislature will do its job and insist that Arkansas universities cooperate to improve our STATE as a whole rather than operating only in their own (perceived) limited self-interest.