FAYETTEVILLE — Being the last team in the SEC to have a spring game will give Arkansas a chance to host more recruits on Saturday.
It was the result of the way coach Bret Bielema set up the off-season conditioning and spring practice.
“I kind of stumbled into that during my time at the other place (Wisconsin),” Bielema said. “We develop our kids a little longer. I have always believed in an eight-week winter program, which always puts our spring game as one of the last.”
It's a sentiment shared by Razorback wide receiver coach Michael Smith.
"It really works to our advantage because kids don't have to choose between our place and another like they do a lot of weekends," Smith said. "We have the only game go to so it allows us to get more kids in here."
Arkansas has also taken advantage of each of the past four Saturdays to host prospects in Fayetteville.
“…We have a good crew lined up with a recruiting weekend this weekend and then next weekend will be really nice,” Bielema said. “We kind of made a huge emphasis on that, especially with our classes who have just signed with us coming in as well.”
The Red-White game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium will begin at noon and will be televised by the SEC Network.
“It's exposure,” Bielema said. “We try to do something every year to kind of spice it up a little bit. I know it's not quite the same for the fans as far as a regular game-day atmosphere, but if you're a fan and you love it and you're a parent and you don't get to see your kid all that much play out there, it's a big deal.”
The starters will go against the reserves or as Bielema calls ones against the world.
“The reason I go ones against the world is I want that continuity to develop,” Bielema said. “So our one offense, our one defense works against each other. I don't vary from that too often and I think that's a positive step for that unit. Again, it's just kind of a glorified practice for us.”