Mustain's 'selfish' move the only thing he could do

All Mitch Mustain wants to do is play football.

It just won't happen at Arkansas. Apparently.

It doesn't really matter why or how the much-celebrated quarterback doesn't want to be there, although it makes for great reading, blogging and viewing around the state.

Mitch Mustain went 8-0 in what turns out will be his only season at Arkansas. (AP)

All that matters is that Mustain was granted a release from his scholarship last week. Now you have to root for him. You have to root for him if you were ever stuck in a bad marriage or had a boss (bleep) all over you.

Mitch is us, wanting the best for himself. A sense of entitlement? No more than anyone who deserves a promotion -- or desperately wants a divorce.

Root for him because he is working the system to his advantage. Good for him. Good for the investment his mother put into his recruiting. It was a lot more than Arkansas put into him, considering he is from Springdale, Ark., just down the road from Fayetteville.

Beck Campbell reportedly spent at least $10,000 of her own money on her son's unofficial visits, covering 20,000 miles. Why not control the process?

Entitlement? Think about what the Hogs' biggest in-state recruit ever is walking away from. He was 8-0 as a freshman starter for a team that played for the SEC title.

How bad are things at Arkansas? Mustain might finish his career a few miles from the Mexican border in Conference USA. Might, because a funny thing happened on the way to Tulsa, or Oklahoma or Texas Tech or Texas-El Paso, or wherever he is headed.

The kid didn't actually leave Arkansas. Mustain re-enrolled for the winter semester last week. Forgotten but not gone. His professors now know him better than coach Houston Nutt, which seems fitting.

We told you he's working the system. Mustain is almost taunting Arkansas. With him being on campus, half the message boards hope he will eventually "return" to Arkansas.

The other half are spouting good-riddance quality bile.

But Beck and Mitch are savvy. Here's what is probably happening: The quarterback is waiting until after signing day to see how rosters shake out, who transfers, who flunks out, where he fits in.