Once Again Arkansas Fans Won't Be Getting True Swamp Experience

Florida decides to black out Razorback game, meaning more than a decade will pass since Hogs played normal game in Gainesville

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
May 26, 2023 2:28 AM EDT

In this story:

Arkansas Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Razorback football team is set to play Florida in Gainesville for the fourth time in the last five meetings. Despite the unbalanced scheduling, it's truly a rare occasion when Arkansas steps on the field against the Gators.

That's why it's a little disappointing that the athletic department down in Florida has decided that the Arkansas game on the first weekend in November will be the day designated for all black uniforms with the intention of honoring the military. Now, let's make this clear right away. There is nothing wrong at all with showing respect to the nation's military. The Gators intend to provide tickets to 2,000 members of the armed services, which is truly a good thing.

However, in the 31 years Arkansas has been in the SEC, these two teams have rarely met, especially during the regular season. That's why it's a little disappointing to hear that Florida chose the Arkansas game to cosplay as Oklahoma State instead of breaking out the traditional colors. It's like going to finally visit the Statue of Liberty and during the week you are there, New York decides to paint Lady Liberty pink and neon yellow. You're technically still there seeing it, but it's not the awe-inspiring experience you hoped it would be.

Even with so many games in the series being played at Gainesville instead of Fayetteville, it's been a full decade since Arkansas has played in the Swamp in front of a full house. The Razorbacks' last trip to Florida was in 2020 with a crowd announced at 16,000 because of Covid restrictions. It's a bucket list stadium experience for both players and Arkansas fans, and not getting to experience the true Swamp environment once again is a bit heart-breaking.

The initial idea was to wear the uniforms the weekend of Veteran's Day. However, on Veteran's Day weekend, Florida is playing LSU in Baton Rouge. The choice of the Arkansas game is more of an afterthought effort to have it as close to Veteran's Day as possible. However, if it's not actually on Veteran's Day weekend, then it doesn't matter which week is chosen to honor military vets so long as the heart and the actions are in the right place.

With that in mind, the Tennessee game would have been the perfect opportunity to black out the Swamp. The Volunteers are one of few teams that will visit Florida for a meaningful game without black as one of its colors. So, not only do opposing team colors work out, but the university would be treating the military to possibly the biggest game of the year.

It's the perfect opportunity to try to be intimidating to a school that has seen that old standard blue and orange routine too many times for it to bother them. Plus, that game is early in the season, so wearing black is not as likely to be symbolic if the year doesn't pan out well. If the Gators host Arkansas late in the season with a terrible record, it won't be frightening. It will be sad. All those poor Florida fans, including their military guests, all dressed up to mourn what was once a proud program.

In the end it is what it is. If Arkansas fans are going to get jerked out of a chance to truly experience the Swamp once again, at least it's for a good cause. Florida coach Billy Napier said some of the jerseys will be auctioned off afterward with the money going to a military family facing various financial obstacles. It's hard not to get behind that.

So, Arkansas fans can load up and head down to Gainesville to see the Razorbacks take on Oklahoma State, uh, Florida in a blackout game. It won't be the proper Florida experience, but if SEC scheduling keeps treating the Razorbacks with such equity, there should be at least three more chances to hit up the Swamp for a game against Florida before the Gators return to Fayetteville.