Call me a conspirycy guy...but the ONLY reason I see Malzahn taking the arky st job...
He is an Arkansan. Arkansans are very proud of their state...like Texans. He probably views it as an opportunity to better himself and his state. He has spent most of his life there and has lots of family there from what I hear. Also, I would imagine he wants the Arkansas job at some point. Again Arkansans are a proud bunch and they see him as a traitor at Auburn pulling Arkansas recruits and winning against Arkansas. Yes, many of the Razorback fans view him that way. Now this move gets him back home and out of direct competition with UPig. Therefore he can become their native son again and be in a favorable position to take over UPig when Petrino splits.
Also if you believe Memphis radio, Saint Freeze consulted with Malzahn and told him how prepared that team is to win in the SunBelt. So if he wins that conference, they will be singing his praises in Arkansas. Hell, some folks there wanted him to get the UPig job after Nutt left. They will be whipped up into mass hysteria to name him coach if he wins at stAte.