FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — Apparently Pete hasn’t spent a whole lot of time looking at just how good Memphis is or doesn’t want to believe his lyin’ eyes.
Since he’s pulling out musical references this week, I figured to throw another one in there.
The Tigers are better than whatever Arkansas State brought to War Memorial Stadium a couple of weeks ago. Considerably better.
Now the Razorbacks just have to figure out their defense after Ole Miss sliced them up like a brisket just pulled off a smoker. Forget the comeback by the offense late because the most concerning part going forward is that defense.
If more injuries have made things even worse (and it’s doubtful it improved them), this game could end up in another shootout. Come to think of it, that’s not the best phrase to use in that area of Memphis, but I said it so there it is.
Hogs coach Sam Pittman talked about coaching them better this week. Sounds good, but probably doesn’t work as well as some folks would hope.
By the time you start playing games, you can draw up plays and schemes all you want, but at the end of the day defense comes down to finding out who’s got the ball and putting him on the ground as quickly as possible.
Former Arkansas defensive coordinator Jimmy Johnson told me that when he was head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. It still holds true.
This team has good players, but it has the same feeling to a certain point that it did in 2023 when BYU came rolling into Fayetteville and shut down the Hogs in an upset.
That started the wagon rolling to a 4-8 season.
Don’t expect this game to be a blowout at the Liberty Bowl one way or the other. It might turn out that way, but the guess is you’ll be hanging in there until the fourth quarter at least.
Oh, and don’t play the drinking game every time somebody scores a touchdown. You could be passed out by halftime. It’s tempting to pick an upset here, but too early to start wandering out on those limb. Hogs by 2
UAB at (15) Tennessee – Good Grief 1. Tennessee might have a letdown after a wild game against Georgia last week but it showed nobody may be that interested in playing defense anymore. With the exception of Ohio State and Texas. The Blazers may want to play defense, but the Vols have the better players and more of them. Volunteers by 21.
Tulane at (13) Ole Miss – The Rebels may have a quarterback better than the one Lane Kiffin thought was better in the first game. Trinidad Chambliss doesn’t seem to turn the ball over as much and the Rebels are getting confidence, which they are going to need considering their remaining conference games. It probably won’t be pretty, though. Ole Miss by 14.
(22) Auburn at (11) Oklahoma – It may be accurate to say most folks probably under-rated both of these teams in the summer. That’s exactly why I don’t make predictions. With the Tigers picking up the Sooners’ castoff quarterback and giving him some confidence, folks are finding out they have some pretty deep talent. Same thing at OU, who picked up a transfer and have suddenly found that “Sooner Magic” once again … or so they think. Sooners by 6.
North Illinois at Mississippi State – Good Grief 2. The Bulldogs’ faithful are jumping up and down happy because Dawgs coach Jeff Lebby has one more win that he had all last year. He also has a team that looks faster and better than last year, too and that probably means more. State by 18.
South Carolina at (23) Missouri – The Gamecocks are over-rated and Virginia Tech has already jettisoned their coach and Shane Beamer is the top name on their list. South Carolina folks may not discourage him much. Meanwhile, Eli Drinkwitz has quietly put together a very good team that can run the ball (Hog fans should note that for the end of the season). Mizzou by 6.
Georgia State at (20) Vanderbilt – Good Grief 3. It’s still hard to get used to doing a good grief thing on a Commodores game where they aren’t the reason it falls into that category. Don’t be surprised to see that very thing, though. ‘Dores by 22.
SLU at (3) LSU – Good Grief 4. It’s one of those directional schools in Louisiana they have for every possible one. The score on this one will be whatever Brian Kelly wants to hang up, but hopefully he won’t have to apologize who asked him a question this week that sets him off on a tirade. That was as humorous as it was confusing. It didn’t appear that bad. Tigers by 45
Sam Houston at (8) Texas – Good Grief 5. If Arch Manning just needed some experience, he’s getting plenty of that. He’ll probably end up being fine but folks were expecting him to talk on water that’s not covering the stadium. The progression will be slow, but it will probably be there. Manning may not be the only issue with this team. Texas by 25.
