Sam Pittman thinks Arkansas’ game against Oklahoma State would have ended differently if Arkansas had protected the ball better. The Razorbacks, despite outscoring the Cowboys for most of the game, lost 39-31 in double overtime and are now 1-1 on the season.

Here’s what Arkansas’ head coach had to say after the game:

“We have to keep the ball, if we do that, this game would look very different to me.” – Sam Pittman

— Pig Trail Nation (@PigTrailNation) September 7, 2024

Well, he’s right.

Arkansas fans will agree: Saturday was a terribly painful day of football in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Both teams had their share of missteps, but Arkansas led in most statistical categories at the end of the day. They outgained OK State by 173 yards and totaled just under 100 more yards passing. Arkansas recorded 12 more first downs and held the ball 13 more minutes.

But the Razorbacks lost the turnover battle, by far the game-changer Saturday in Oklahoma. Arkansas fumbled the ball twice and threw a pick-6 that killed the Razorbacks at the most inopportune time.

It wasn’t just that. Arkansas also gave the ball away twice on downs and missed 2 field goals. You don’t beat many top 25 teams like that, especially on their home field. It’s clear that Arkansas has taken a step forward from last year, but there are still a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up before this team can compete for anything significant.