Alabama Football: 3 takeaways from Tua-less win over Arkansas

3. The clock is ticking for Chad Morris at Arkansas

Everyone knew when Chad Morris got the job at Arkansas it would be a big rebuilding job after the way the Bret Bielema era ended in Fayetteville, but it’s one thing to be rebuilding and it’s another to field teams that don’t really seem to give much effort.

No one expected the Hogs to seriously challenge Alabama on Saturday night, even with Tagovailoa sidelined, but this game was over from the opening whistle. Alabama did whatever it wanted, and Arkansas had zero answers until the game was long out of reach.

With Ben Hicks injured, Nick Starkel got the start and promptly threw three first half interceptions and mishandled a bad snap leading to a fourth turnover. Freshmen John Stephen Jones performed better off the bench, though the game was long in hand when he came in, and should probably be the guy for the Hogs moving forward because it’s obvious that the two transfers have not been the answer.

The loss to Alabama moves Arkansas to 4-16 through 20 games under Morris, and 0-13 in the SEC. The Hogs are staring a second straight winless season in the SEC right in the face, and that’s something that cannot happen at a proud program like Arkansas.

Morris was a questionable hire to begin with, getting the job after a 14-22 three-year run at SMU. The defensive struggles haven’t been surprising, but Arkansas hasn’t been able to figure out much offense under Morris despite that being his calling card.

You don’t normally see a coach in the SEC only make it two seasons, but this could be a special case with how bad Arkansas has been through 20 games under Morris. Don’t be surprised if Arkansas joins the coaching carousel this offseason.