By Otis Kirk

FAYETTEVILLE -- The SEC Media Days is going on this week in Nashville, Tenn., and Arkansas was on the schedule Wednesday.

This will be the last time for 14 schools to be represented at the event. In 2024, the SEC will consist of 16 schools as Texas and Oklahoma enter the league. Sam Pittman was asked about the additions of Texas and Oklahoma. The addition of the Longhorns will allow the Hogs to renew an old Southwest Conference rivalry.

"Well, I think, obviously, the State of Arkansas is ecstatic about, you know, having an opportunity to play Texas and for that matter, Oklahoma," Pittman said. "Proximity is so good. It's so good for us. You know, it's not going to be -- constantly on fans, because they can drive back-and-forth to Norman and to Austin. But I think they are relatively -- I think everybody is really excited about that.

"Obviously we are bringing two powerful, storied programs into the SEC. So we know they are going to be really great opponents. Everybody's excited. I'm excited. You know, I'm from Oklahoma. Grew up a Sooner fan until I moved out to eastern Oklahoma and became a Hog fan. I think it will be a big deal for the SEC and specifically Texas because of the old Southwest Conference rivalry."

Pittman grew up in Oklahoma so it was easy for him to talk about his memories of OU football.

"Oh, I got a bunch of them," Pittman said. "Brian Bosworth. You know, one of them, and I was a football fan, but one of them was when Arkansas in '78, OU has got to win the game and Arkansas got them 31-6.

"At that point, I wasn't an Arkansas fan. I was an OU fan. You have Billy Sims. I mean, there's a lot of great memories. We couldn't really afford to go to the game or anything like that, but a lot of great memories, Oklahoma, Barry Switzer, of course, (Bob) Stoops, now, was the next one.

"Yeah, a lot of great memories. Powerful program. Great program."

Arkansas will host Texas in 2024 though the date hasn't been set yet.