Four months ago hope and hype were running neck and neck with the pedal to the metal.
The Arkansas Razorbacks were ranked No. 18 in most national polls. Sports Illustrated had them No. 2, and ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit was even considering predicting the Hogs in his College Football Playoffs.
The long wait to get to football season helped fuel the expectations, and not just in Arkansas. The Hogs were receiving positive press from all over the country, especially in the South, where football is Saturday's religion.
The Razorbacks finished the season in great form.