Money excuses won't hold up if Arkansas football can't beat Tulsa | Fuller
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FAYETTEVILLE — Ryan Silverfield laughed.
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It's Week 4 of his first season as Arkansas football coach, and Silverfield can't avoid interrogations about the finances of a program he just inherited.
He faced two questions from the local media about the money behind the Razorbacks on Monday, Sept. 21. Silverfield got asked if the funds he raised this offseason went to this year's roster, and if he believes Arkansas (1-2) has the financial resources to compete this fall.
"I think you asked me that same question a couple times," Silverfield said after a chuckle. "But yeah, we do. I like our roster."
Understandably, Silverfield is tired talking about money.
And for one week, he's justified in his bemusement. Tulsa comes to town this Saturday, and finances can no longer hold up as an excuse.
It's time for this coaching staff to show why they are here and how they created enough success at Memphis to land a big-time job in the SEC.
Getting blown out on the road by Utah and suffering the same fate at home against a national-title contender in Georgia aren't massive surprises, but the lethargic nature of a season-opening win over North Alabama was the first cause for concern.
Now, the Hogs are only a touchdown favorite over the Golden Hurricane, who will likely use its backup quarterback this weekend. Silverfield beat Tulsa by 38 points last year with the Tigers.
Tulsa (3-0) is a quality team. It already has an upset win over Oklahoma State this season, but a spread that low against a Group of 6 team at home is a jarring sign of where the Razorbacks stand in the national pecking order.
The financial questions in his press conference were relevant. According to The Athletic, Arkansas ranks dead last in the SEC in roster spending. Silverfield's boss, Hunter Yurachek, admitted to On3 earlier this week that he was late in adapting to the NIL era of college athletics and that the Razorbacks are trying to play catch-up. A study from Dr. Greg Chick of NILnomics came out Monday morning before Silverfield's press conference outlining that no SEC university delegates a bigger share of its fiscal year budget to men's basketball.
And money aside, the performances in the first three weeks have not been good enough. There's already a level of pressure on Silverfield to deliver some optimism to a fan base that's calling for changes at the very top of the athletic department.
In the buildup, Silverfield is sharing a healthy message.
"For us, every week is the most important, it’s a must-win for us every week," he said. "It’ll be no different than for whoever our opponent is the following week. But that’s how we approach it and how we’ll continue to do so."
His opponent isn't shying away from this weekend's opportunity.
“A good Group of 6 team wins this game,” Tulsa coach Tre Lamb said.
Silverfield was in Lamb's position one year ago when he successfully led Memphis to an upset over Arkansas in Week 4. He left the Tigers for the chance at more meaningful glory in the SEC and at the top of the college football food chain.
To be fair to Silverfield, he isn't the one using the lack of funds as an excuse, but it's the easiest way for us in the media and fans to explain the futility of Arkansas in the NIL era.
The conversation will switch if the Hogs lose on Saturday. Whatever funds are behind Arkansas' program can't be an excuse. The blame will fall squarely on this coaching staff and its players.
It's time for everyone to earn their paychecks.
Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Money excuses won't hold up if Arkansas football can't beat Tulsa | Fuller