The Liberty Bowl is more than just another bowl game for Arkansas

Bowl season isn’t fascinating until late December-early January. But the transfer portal has added a new dynamic to the bowl season.

A prime example is what is happening to the Arkansas Razorbacks college football team. Usually, teams are left without their star players because they aspire to be NFL superstars. Players skipping a bowl game that brings little value to the team – or their draft stock – is not uncommon, so there is no need to blame the likes of Drew Sanders for sitting this one out.

With the transfer portal, other players can skip out on these games simply because they are ready to switch schools. This is where the Razorbacks have problems. The transfer portal takes 20 players off the Razorback’s roster who has been dealing with depth issues all season due to injuries.

Now coach Pittman and his staff must walk into the Liberty Bowl with less than 60 scholarship players dressed on the sidelines. 

This game is more important because it will indicate where the Razorbacks will be next season.

The majority of the player expected to play against Kansas next week have little experience this season. Most first-year students and some upper-level students didn’t see the field much. Unlike years past, the transfer portal hasn’t been kind to the Razorbacks, which means the future isn’t determined.

The Liberty Bowl is a chance for Sam Pittman and his crew to “coach up” the players to capture a win to end a disappointing season. Without a very strong recruiting class with players who can come in and make an immediate impact in 2023, developing talent will be key for the Razorbacks’ success doing the Sam Pittman era.