PETE’S PICKS: Hogs should at least keep it close against Tigers

Have you ever woke up in the morning, looked at yourself in the mirror, and then thought, “Today is going to be rough”?

Guess what, folks, mirror be damned, today is going to be hell as far as Razorback Football goes.

Arkansas hosts red hot LSU, and while the series for the Golden Boot has a history of close games and last minute upsets, the Hogs will need a lot of things to fall just right in order to walk off the field at Razorback Stadium victorious.

For one, the question remains: will KJ Jefferson play? Arkansas needs to either play him as much as possible or not at all. A two-quarterback approach will not work against LSU.

Our depleted secondary needs to step up and cover the receivers like their lives depend upon it.

Barry Odom has to have his scheme work to perfection today. It cannot afford to let LSU get an early jump on the scoreboard from which there may be no coming back.

Brian Kelly needs to fall asleep on the job. It will be an early, cold morning in Fayetteville, and hopefully the fine server folks at the LSU hotel switched all the coffee to decaf.

Kendal Briles needs to be on the top of his game today as well.

If it is Malik Hornsby as the signal caller we will have to throw the ball, otherwise the LSU defensive line and linebackers will be keying off on the run.

I am not breaking any news here.

Special teams have to be perfect as well.

We CANNOT have bad punts today in a contest which will be centered upon field position. LSU will own the day and the rivalry trophy easily no matter what happens in the other aspects of the game.

It will be early. It will be cold. Our fans have to be loud. This is a must.

These aforementioned tangibles must all align for any chance of the upset today. Remember, this is Fayetteville, not Little Rock, and our magic seems to have resided in War Memorial.

Can we channel our inner Houston Nutt and be pumped up for this game? Who knows, but just like loving your reflection at 6:00 AM, it does not look likely.

LSU, 28 – 25.

Random Thoughts

Remember when the weather seemed to be colder longer during football season?

I seem to recall countless games played with snow on the field and in the bleachers leading to snowballs being hurled from the student section in the direction of the Mississippi State or even Auburn benches.

Surely those were all on accident, right?

I have almost zero love for Joe Foucha and Greg Brooks, Jr. Moreso the prior. I am not against a kid doing what they feel will better themselves; however, the manner in which Fouche left was moderately classless. Why?

For one, LSU did not want Foucha coming out of high school. They completely blew the kid off. So he came to Arkansas where the coaches, trainers, and staff developed him into the “beast” he claims to be.

Then the Tigers came calling. The aggravating kicker was not his “easy” decision to go home, but it is in relation to how he tried to take other players with him.

We see that in softball a lot where coaches develop players who came to the first practice looking like Bambi on ice, and then they develop them into phenomenal players only to have some Johnny come lately coach recruit them to their team.

Ironically, these (dubbed by their parents) “superstar” players who jump ship because they think they have arrived often fall back into the mediocre player they were originally thus begin a new track of constantly looking for new teams to join.

Parents, a word of advice, as in most professions and hobbies, coaches talk to each other.  

I digress.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Who is a better dancer, Bruno Mars or Brian Kelly?

I am still nauseated about last week’s performance against Liberty. We did not do our program, the fans, the state, nor even the SEC proud, yet so many of us saw it coming.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Bruno of course. And if you have no idea why that is this week’s trivia question, you should really get on your phone more… You know, like Hugh Freeze. [Sorry, parting shot.]

I am proud to be a fan of the Razorbacks! Win or lose today nothing will change that.

Please do not ask me how I figure Arkansas will get that odd 25-point score.

Hey, social media warriors, chill out on the attacks upon Sam Pittman. The two followers of your anonymous burner account do not want to see it nor do the rest of us true, loyal Hogs fans.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11 a.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 11

To the HitThatLine Chase we go with this week’s expert projections. Expert of what, I do not know. Definitely not meeting deadlines, right, Andy?  

Missouri at (5) Tennessee: Mizzou has no chance. None. In fact, Alabama fans have a higher percentage of figuring out why Missouri’s nickname has ‘Z’s instead of ‘S’s than the Tigers do in Knoxville. Vols by 24.

(7) LSU at Arkansas: Hope is not lost, but we are banged up, and LSU is on fire as of late. I hate to say it again, but Tigers by 3.

Vanderbilt at (24) Kentucky: Remember when seeing these two teams squaring off would have inspired a nap? It still might, but Kentucky is a far better program than in years past. Vandy is still Vandy. Wildcats by 20.

(9) Alabama at (11) Ole Miss – GAME OF THE WEEK: There is a storm brewing in Tuscaloosa with Bama no longer in playoff contention barring a major falling apart of the other Top Ten teams. The spoiled vocal lot of Crimson Tide fans are up in arms with Nick Saban forgetting the countless years of recent success. Fans are funny. Ole Miss fans are also a little bit out there, but that’s an entire different story, man. Maybe this will be a trap game for the Rebels as they know Arkansas awaits them next week… Anyone buying that? I have never picked against the Tide as of late. I am not today. Bama by 13.

South Carolina at Florida: This may be the most fun game to watch this week as far as match-ups go. I know it is in the swamp, but I like the way the South Carolina players perform for Shane Beamer. That’s the difference today. Gamecocks by 17.

(1) Georgia at Mississippi State: Poor little Pirates. This may actually stay close until Georgia wakes up in the second half. Bulldogs by 30.

Texas A&M at Auburn: What are the odds Jimbo Fisher keeps his job if his Aggies lose on the road at Auburn today? We probably will not find out, but it would be ironic if we did since the Tigers just gave Harsin his first buyout payment. A&M by 17.

Soller Opposites

You like gambling you say? Eric has channeled his inner Cliff Claven for this week’s edition expert (or anti-expert – your choice) gambling advice.

TCU @ Texas -7

The color purple was originally derived from painstakingly removing the snot of thousands of mollusks, making it a highly prized commodity for kings and other royalty across the Mediterranean.  Meanwhile, Texas chose an off-shade orange as its team color during the depression era because it did not fade the uniforms while allowing them to cut dry cleaning costs. 

Lavishness and frugality collide as TCU will take its statistically fluffed run offense into Austin to face a sneakingly strong Texas run D. On paper, the Frogs run totals look dominant until you peel the onion and see which opponents boosted those numbers.  I don’t know if it is from peeling the onion, but making this week’s pick brings tears to my eyes: 

Take Texas -7

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

Thoughts, Prayers, and good vibes for the Asbury Family.

It is funny how life changes quickly. One minute you are “marching” towards goals and plans for 2023, then the next thing you recognize your priorities and start looking more towards a holiday week and time spent by a Christmas tree with the ones who mean the most to you. “Ring” in the holidays early and cherish these people forever. I do.

Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!