With a few hours Saturday, the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Arkansas had benchmark games that could define the rest of the season.

The Bears defeated the No. 3 team in NCAA FCS, Sam Houston State (14-1 last year and the national runner-up), 24-20, coming from 10 down in the final 6:03. The nature of the victory in a matchup of two nationally ranked teams could be the springboard to greater things for the Bears, including a conference championship. Their season hit a higher gear.

There's still a long way to go.

The Hogs, with Tyler Wilson, went to 1-3 with a loss to Rutgers, a Big East team that began the season off the national radar. The UA has now lost to Louisiana-Monroe (a little more respectable by the week) and Rutgers and has been embarrassed by Alabama. Most observers said the remainder of the Razorbacks season would be defined by the Rutgers game. Brace for the free fall.

There's a long way to go. But many Hog fans are counting the days to basketball season, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the end of the John L. Smith era.

Come to think of it. Halloween came early and has lasted most of the year for the Hogs.

John L. Smith is scheduled to be the guest speaker at Monday's luncheon of the Little Rock Touchdown Club.

Could be interesting. Hopefully, they'll take away the sharp knives and won't serve hard rolls.