Rock Candy

ESPN's on it, and Sports Illustrated is probably right behind -- the mess that's called the University of Arkansas football program, under the wonderful management skills of Houston Nutt and Frank Broyles, is column and blog fodder everywhere. Here's Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports chiming in with a column on whether Mitch Mustain's leaving the team last week is really a selfish act, and who's to blame in all this garbage.

Yes, it's serious in Arkansas. A mess, really. Mustain was promised certain "things" -- playing time, Malzahn's offense -- but no one really knows for sure. Beck and two other sets of Springdale parents complained to Broyles, setting off a national debate: What public square should be chosen for the kids and parents to be spanked for their whining?

How about the coach and administration for letting it get this far? The infection is spreading because apparently recruits are getting the message that Arkansas isn't the place to be. Nutt's latest class is currently ranked around No. 40 nationally.

With Mustain leading the way, it was top 25 class last year.

Not all of the national football columnists see the Springdale boys in such a good light. Tom Dienhart of the Sporting News has this about the "Brat pack."

Frankly, I'm more sick of it than I am of "Hogan Knows Best" promos.

(Damn, is the Hulkster that hard up for money? Maybe Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka can loan him some coin. Maybe not. But, I digress.) And I'm really tired of the Brat Pack from Springdale, Ark. Of course, Mitch is the Rob Lowe of the crew. And, just like Lowe: Mustain's career seems to have peaked at 18. Yeah, it's kinda sad.