FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – It was clear from the very first routine that Auburn was unlikely to hang with No. 4 Arkansas Friday night in Barnhill Arena. Grace Boyd made her transition from the high bar to the low bar and shot across the mat like an invisible giant had thumped her in mid-air.
Still, while more new fans become drawn to the undefeated program as the Razorbacks make a run at a potential national championship, it’s important for them to know Arkansas isn’t competing with whichever team is in the gym that particular day. The Razorbacks are competing with themselves and a handful of teams nationally.
Teams are ranked on a cumulative average, so Jordyn Wieber’s squad looked to equal or improve upon a 197.338 or at least remain close. No. 6 Alabama was on its way to posting a 197.575 against No. 8 Florida and No. 3 LSU was about to fall a full point from last week’s season high with a 197.225 against Missouri, so there was pressure for Arkansas to stay as high in the 197 range as possible.