Ohio State did not win the Sugar Bowl. Arkansas Lost It, Repeatedly.

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Ohio State stood victorious, swaying on the stage. The team, including 5 players that should have been suspended from the game, pulled off a "whew, we're lucky to have won that one" victory by beating the Razorbacks in a game that went down to the final minute, 31-26.

But Ohio State did not win the game. In fact, they were downright fortunate.

On the opening drive, the Arkansas receivers acted as if the ball was poison, and could not hang on to passes bouncing off their numbers. Fumble recoveries seemed to be more like fish bouncing out of water, right into the end zone, waiting for the Ohio State players to land on the ball, and ask, "How in the heck did that happen?" In what should have been an interception, Arkansas Players collided, coming up empty. And despite all of the misfortunate drops, bobbles, and misses, with a minute left Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett was poised to win the game. All he needed to do was throw yet another incredible pass, and for the receiver to hang on to it.

Instead, Mallett decided to throw an interception.

I have to hand it to the Hogs, they made for an incredibly exciting game, but excitement doesn't win ball games when your receivers act as if the pig skin has the plague.

Nonetheless, the Arkansas Razorbacks have no reason to hang their heads low. They gave it the ol' college try, and came up short, again and again and again.

If Mallett decides not to go to the NFL, the Hogs will return to the BCS next year, but this time possibly in the National Championship game - "if" Ryan Mallett returns to the Hogs for his senior year.

This time, if the time should come this time next year, I have a feeling that the slippery experience of the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State on January 4, 2011 will have the Hogs hanging on to the ball, even when the thing smacks them in the numbers.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary