Follow the Hog Wild Brick Road

Since 2005 no team in college football has endured more stomach-flipping switchbacks and hairpin turns than the Arkansas Razorbacks. If the past is prologue, last week's shocking loss to Louisiana-Monroe will lead to a win against the top-ranked Crimson Tide this Saturday

DEC. 9, 2005

Coach Houston Nutt hires Gus Malzahn from Springdale (Ark.) High as offensive coordinator.

FEB. 1, 2006

The top-ranked high school QB in the country, Mitch Mustain, commits to Arkansas, two days after four-star receiver, Damian Williams. Both played for Malzahn. Coincidentally.

NOV. 18, 2006

Arkansas beats Mississppi State 28--14 to earn its 10th victory and win the SEC West.

JAN. 1, 2007:

Aided by fullback Peyton Hillis and the Wild Hog formation, Darren McFadden and Felix Jones finish the season as the first Arkansas tandem to rush for 1,000 yards each.

JAN. 14, 2007

Nutt brings in a co-offensive coordinator, David Lee. Malzahn bolts for Tulsa.

FEBRUARY 2007

An e-mail Arkansas booster Teresa Prewett (a friend of Nutt's) sent to Mustain is leaked online. It refers to him with a gay slur and implores him to transfer.

APRIL 2007

A fan, John David Terry, sues two school administrators, claiming they didn't sufficiently investigate the e-mail to Mustain. The suit is dismissed.

MAY 21, 2007

Mustain packs his bags for USC, where old buddy Williams had already landed in January.

NOV. 23, 2007

Arkansas beats No. 1 LSU 50--48 in triple overtime. Three days later, Nutt resigns, as a result of the ongoing controversy.

DEC. 11, 2007

With three games left in the NFL season, coach Bobby Petrino deserts the Atlanta Falcons for Arkansas. He leaves a letter behind to inform his players.

APRIL 24, 2008

McFadden (4th by Oakland) and Jones (22nd by Dallas) are both selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Four teammates join them in later rounds, including Hillis, who goes to Denver in the seventh (227).

NOV. 27, 2010

Arkansas beats LSU 31--23, winning 10 games for the first time since 2006.

JAN. 6, 2012

Arkansas defeats Kansas State 29--16 in the Cotton Bowl to cap its first 11-win season since 1977.

APRIL 1, 2012

Petrino crashes his motorcycle while riding with his mistress, Jessica Dorrell, who works in the football office.

APRIL 10, 2012

Petrino is fired.

APRIL 23, 2012

John L. Smith, a recently departed assistant, is hired as interim coach. He reveals pet motivational phrase: "Get your piss hot."

SEPT. 6, 2012

Smith declares personal bankruptcy due to previous real estate investments gone bad.

SEPT. 8, 2012

The Hogs lose 34--31 in overtime to Louisiana-Monroe.

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HEISMAN TRACKER

Matt Barkley's 187 passing yards weren't overwhelming, but six TDs keep him in the top spot. At the other end of the race Montee Ball, Marcus Lattimore and Tyler Wilson dropped considerably. Each will need to rebound in a big way this week, particularly Wilson, who's in danger of dropping off the chart.

WEEK 14

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BOB ROSATO (MCFADDEN)

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TODD BENNETT/AP (PETRINO RED HAT)

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DEHOOG_TDP (MUSTAIN)

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APRIL L. BROWN/AP (MALZAHN)

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DANNY JOHNSTON/AP (THE BOOT TROPHY)

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GARETH PATTERSON/AP (PETRINO WHITE HAT)

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GARETH PATTERSON/AP (SMITH)

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RICH BARNES/US PRESSWIRE (BARKLEY)