Arkansas Business

This story is from the archives of ArkansasSports360.com.

This football season marks the 21st for the Razorbacks as members of the SEC. Having completed two decades in the league it seemed worth reflecting on how far the program has come. Which victories over the last 20 years were the sweetest? Were there losses that hurt more than others? What coaching decisions still have folks scratching their heads? ArkansasSports360.com assembled a panel aimed at answering these questions. We have our list and we'd love to hear yours.

No. 7 on our moments we love to remember...

Arkansas Claims Four SEC West “Titles”
When It Happened: 1995, 1998, 2002, 2006
Who We Remember: Danny Ford, Houston Nutt, Matt Jones, Madre Hill, Casey Dick, Raymond House, Fred Talley, Decori Birmingham, Sam Olajabutu, Brandon Burlsworth, Clint Stoerner
Why We Remember: Arkansas won back-to-back Southwest Conference titles in 1988 and 1989. Those are the last two times the Razorbacks claimed outright conference hardware, something they’ve done six times dating back to Bowden Wyatt, the man who preceded the legendary Frank Broyles.

Nearly a quarter century has passed since the last league crown. So Arkansas has had to hang its hat on four "championships" or "co-championships" in the SEC West.

Danny Ford guided the Razorbacks to 8-5, 6-2 in 1995 with a division title. Houston Nutt’s 1998 team finished 9-3, 6-2 to share the division. Nutt followed up in 2002 with another “co-“ title as the Razorbacks went 9-5, 5-3. Arkansas won the West outright in 2006 as the team went 10-4 and an impressive 7-1 in the league.

Division wins in 1995, 1998, 2002 and 2006 were nice milestones as the Razorbacks tried to find their way in the league during the first 20 years. Prior to clinching a 2010 Sugar Bowl appearance (with a runner-up finish in the West, no less) had there been a more thrilling SEC moment for Razorback fans than what the statewide paper headlined "Jones to Birmingham to Atlanta?"

Bobby Petrino joins Joe Kines as the only Razorback coaches without at least a share of an SEC division title. Of course the West has improved considerably over the years.

SEC West winners have been represented in the BCS title game the last three seasons. Alabama (2010) and Auburn (2011) won the BCS title. LSU (2012) finished runner-up to West champion Alabama.

The ecent history of their division mates has prompted the Razorbacks to enter the season with the motto: “Win the West, then the rest.” Securing a division title this year might be more than just a consolation prize for real success.

Up Next: A facelift for the program …