PETE’S PICKS: Hogs face Liberty that could be troublesome, but not enough

Patrick Henry. That’s who coined the phrase you think of when you look at the name of Arkansas’s opponent for this week. 

Liberty is coming to town, and Hugh Freeze is coming with them.

I have heard it said recently this could easily be a trap game with LSU preparing for their own journey to Fayetteville to face the Razorbacks.

With all due respect to the unnamed commentor, I strongly disagree.

The Flames roll up the Hill ranked as high as 23 in some major polls. Not to mention, they do have a great coaching staff who had an extra week with a bye to prepare for today’s game. I cannot see Arkansas coach Sam Pittman allowing his players to fall into a mental lull by overlooking this FBS Independent.

In other words, Freeze’s team is no slouch.

We do have a common opponent with them in BYU. Arkansas made the trip to Provo and defeated the Cougars 52 – 35, while Liberty hosted the Brigham Youngsters (which is not an accurate description since a good number of their players are 22- to 25-years of age) and sent them home with 41 – 14 loss.

Take from those numbers what you will.

It should be an intriguing match-up, and it does not appear to be a cakewalk, yet I will declare Liberty has had a soft schedule in earning its current 7 – 1 record.

Liberty’s game plan will have to be to stop the passing momentum of Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson, limit our backfield in gaining big yards, and having their signal caller ready to pick apart our secondary.

Can they pull off all three aspects and leave with an upset over an SEC school? The answers will unfold in Donald W Reynolds today.

Nope.

Arkansas, 34 – 21.

Random Thoughts

If Rocket Sanders does not have an NIL contract with a certain mortgage company by next season someone is dropping the ball.

TRIVIA QUESTION: What is Arkansas’s record against Hugh Freeze in Fayetteville?

I like Hugh Freeze; however, he does have some weird tendencies including but not limited to coaching from a hospital bed in the booth. In retrospect, I kind of admire the dedication to his team. Freeze’s goal this week is to pad his resume in hopes to earn his way back into a top SEC program, and I think we all know it is “plains” to see upon which school he has his crosshairs on at this current time.

TRIVIA ANSWER: The Razorbacks have twice hosted Hugh Freeze twice during his tenure at Ole Miss. Both were victories for Arkansas with one being a one-sided 30 – 0 upset over the eighth-ranked Rebels and the subsequent 2016 contest ending in a 34 -30 score.

Liberty should really join a conference. Prove me wrong.

Our backfield will rush for over 200-yards today.

Hugh Freeze to Auburn, yes or no?

I love our Razorbacks! Even Jeff Long and company giving away my great season tickets to a prominent booster a few years ago did not change that.

“Where have you been?” That’s a question I have received a lot recently. If you are able to read the following few sentences, it means editor Andy Hodges permitted me to include a few personal occurrences in this week’s piece. It also means he allowed me to submit these musings despite them being later than a Tennessee co-ed a month after date night with Travis Henry.

The easy answer is to state I went to Provo, got pulled into a room by men in white suits, and left immediately to serve two years in a Sao Paulo mission. Since this piece is not in Portuguese, I am betting you deduced that did not happen.

I have had a lot of changes in my life as of late. Family illnesses and medical conditions, a busy sports schedule, and (I am more than happy to announce) getting engaged to the most amazing woman ever. Why she tolerates me is a question only her and God can answer, but I am blessed to be a part of her life while she makes mine greater every day.

I want to thank everyone who has continuously supported me including my Family, my friends, my leadership and peers at work, Andy Hodges himself, and so many others who have sent condolences and congratulations alike. Your patience and understanding speak volumes. My appreciation is yours.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 3 p.m. via HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

SEC Picks for Week 10

To the HitThatLine Chase we go with this week’s selections. Due to my recent truancy issues, I am no doubt being left in the dust by Andy and his countless (and I do mean countless) years of wisdom.

Kentucky at Missouri: The Wildcats may have fallen out of the rankings following three SEC losses in the past four outings, but they are still they far better team than Missouri. Big Blue by 20.

Florida at Texas A&M: What a disappointing season for two teams who at some respective point both enjoyed being ranked in the Top 15. Some say the Aggies cannot afford to fire Jimbo Fisher (who looks like a completely different person when he is not wearing a cap, but I digress) after this season, while others rebut they cannot afford to keep Fisher’s services on Kyle Field. This week the Gators help them make the decision. Florida by 3.

(1) Tennessee at (3) Georgia – GAME OF THE WEEK: While I am impressed with the improvements Josh Heupel has made in Knoxville, I believe the selection committee is wrong is having the Vols as No. 1 in the playoff rankings. That said, I do realize they use a lot of numerical stats and percentages calculated by their favorite Commodore 64 PC. Tennessee is a great team bringing back hope for a once nationally dominant program, but Kirby Smart has the better team in Georgia. This game is a home game for the Bulldogs, and the players in Athens no doubt feel slighted. Tennessee will not be able to overcome the psychological deck stacked against them. Georgia by 10.

Liberty at Arkansas: Give us Liberty, but if we lose it might be death. This is a must-win for Arkansas in regards to momentum, confidence, and bowl placement. Hogs by 13.

(6) Alabama at (10) LSU: The Tigers have surprised many given how poor of a dancer Brian Kelly is, yet I feel they are overrated. Do not take my opinion personally LSU fans, I also said Scott Frost was a bad hire by Nebraska, and we have all seen how wrong I was on that… Oh wait… Alabama is just too much for Mike the Tiger to handle even at home. Crimson Tide by 18.

Auburn at Mississippi State: Poor Bryan Harsin. Things just do not work down here the way they do up north. It is not a knock, but the high clout yet still rabid fan base at Auburn will not tolerate losses the same way return missionaries will. Boise was your safe haven. Maybe they will take you back if you give them 10% of your buyout. No way are the Tigers able to recover in less than a week from Harsin’s departure; therefore, unless he somehow manages to find another game of eligibility for himself, Tigers interim coach Cadillac Williams will not be able to pull off a miracle in Starkville. Bulldogs by 18.

South Carolina at Vanderbilt: A much improving Vanderbilt can win this game since it is at home, but I truly feel Shane Beamer has his South Carolina team on a much better rise as they continue to remain competitive and even had a cameo appearance in the Top 25 recently. Gamecocks by 17.

Soller Opposites

Eric is still on fire with his gambling expertise. Should you continue to ride the wave or bet against his hot streak? All good things must come to an end, right?

Clemson @ Notre Dame +4

The College Football playoffs need a makeover after the first week release has a haphazard Clemson looming.  It’s the first weekend of November football and an upset or two will shake things up as we set our clocks back. 

Setting back is an accurate analysis of Clemson’s QB situation and surprisingly Notre Dame has learned a little ball control game that will keep this a field goal deciding score range. 

Take the Notre Dame +4.

Back to Liberty at Arkansas; check in during the game for all the highlights and updates from Saturday’s contest.

This week’s props go to Ken and Sandy. As mentioned earlier, I have had a many changes developing in my personal life, and I appreciate their perfect mix of humor, sarcasm, and love. Thank you both for absolutely the most wonderful and perfect gift! I will cherish it always.

Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!