LITTLE ROCK — Barely 20 minutes into the game, perfect role playing by Arkansas and UTEP cleared the conscience of those who chose to stay home and check out three SEC West teams rather than drive to Fayetteville.
Cast as a possible contender in the extra-tough SEC West, the Razorbacks looked the part against a group that is supposed to be in the middle of the pack in the not-so-stout Conference USA.
The best thing about Saturday’s 48-13 rout is that Bret Bielema’s third season at Arkansas is finally under way. Ever since the Razorbacks followed up two November victories by overpowering Texas in late December, speculation about possible UA accomplishments has dominated in-state conversation concerning college football.