Arkansas’ tough weekend gets worse as it drops out of the AP Top 25
For Arkansas, Saturday's upset loss to Louisiana-Monroe was bad, but the Razorbacks' historical plunge out of the AP Top 25 might have been worse.
After going into the weekend ranked No. 8 and considered to be one of the contenders for not only an SEC title but perhaps the national title, Arkansas suffered a 34-31 overtime stumble to the Warhawks and are now unranked.
Few teams have taken such a steep poll nosedive during the course of a weekend. In 2007, No. 5 Michigan was bumped out of the poll after an opening weekend loss to Appalachian State.
[Related: Gutsy call in OT gives ULM upset win over No. 8 Arkansas]
Arkansas coach John L. Smith tried to lessen the blow of the loss by keeping things in perspective, but it was clear the upset had derailed the Razorbacks' promising season and made next week's game against Alabama a bit of a dud.
"Any loss is devastating," Smith said. "Again, we still have the league in front of us. They're all devastating, but we still have the league in front of us and that's a positive."
The drop in polls was salt in an already festering wound. During the game, Arkansas lost quarterback Tyler Wilson and cornerback Tevin Mitchel to head injuries. Both were admitted into the hospital in Little Rock and were kept overnight for observation. According to the university, Mitchel will continue to be monitored in the hospital while Wilson will be released and is day-to-day.
The university did not provide specifics regarding either injury.
Arkansas is not the only team to fall out of the polls this week following an upset loss. Nebraska, Oklahoma State and Wisconsin also were on the outside looking in.
Here's what the Top 25 looks like after Week 2:
1. Alabama (48)
2. USC (8)
3. LSU (4)
4. Oregon
5. Oklahoma
5. Florida St.
7. Georgia
8. South Carolina
9. West Virginia
10. Michigan St.
11. Clemson
12. Ohio St.
13. Virginia Tech
14. Texas
15. Kansas St.
16. TCU
17. Michigan
18. Florida
19. Louisville
20. Notre Dame
21. Stanford
22. UCLA
23. Tennessee
24. Arizona
25. BYU
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