ANDY’S PICKS: Razorbacks can’t afford stumble against UAB

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At first glance, no Arkansas fans are expcting much trouble for the Razorbacks to get a big win Saturday afternoon over UAB.

That’s up to the Hogs, though. There are plenty of examples through the first two weeks of the season to show they can really afford to have a Chad Morris-type slip-up in this game. The Blazers are 1-1 and coach Trent Dilfer is still figuring things out.

After a rollicking 70-0 win over UAPB in the opener, the Razorbacks’ offense rolled over Oklahoma State last week … and still managed to lose in double overtime, 39-31. It was a shocker to fans expecting to start winning some of these close games, which hasn’t happened regularly under Sam Pittman.

A big crowd is expected for the Razorback Stadium opener. The worst thing that could happen for Arkansas is this game have people squirming in their seats in the second half.

This is one that needs to be pretty settled by halftime. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino probably is fully planning on that. That should happen because even with the Hogs’ questions remaining in the offensive and defensive lines, it really shouldn’t be close.

Razorbacks 42, Blazers 13

Around the SEC, apparently I had a pretty good week last week, according to what Pete Morgan said. He did pick the Hogs to beat Oklahoma State, so that sorta jumped up and bit him. The rest of it, though, was pretty easy to see what was coming. It will just be a continuing slide for him through the season, which is kind of a fall tradition at HitThatLine.

(4) Alabama at Wisconsin – There was a time this would be an interesting matchup, but this ain’t it. The Crimson Tide are rolling with a new coach and the Badgers are, too, but in the opposite direction. Tide 31, Badgers 17

(16) LSU at South Carolina – This game could tell us a lot about both teams, but the Tigers aren’t getting a lot of respect these days while the Gamecocks are on a sugar high after big win over Kentucky. That will come crashing down this week. Tigers 28, Gamecocks 20

(24) Boston College at (6) Missouri – The Golden Eagles are one of the surprise teams in the country to this point, but they better be as good as billed going into this one. The Tigers are on a roll, but this could be a trap game for them. That shouldn’t happen, though. Tigers 31, Eagles 14

Texas A&M at Florida – If the Gators stink it up, Billy Napier might not be around by October, much less Halloween. However, the Aggies are struggling offensively and Connor Weigman is going to be a game time decision at quarterback. Hog fans need to watch this because they get A&M in a couple of weeks. Aggies 24, Gators 20

Tulane at (15) Oklahoma – This one might be a closer than expected at halftime, but look for the Sooners to break it open in the second half. Sooners 34, Green Wave 10

(5) Ole Miss at Wake Forest – The Rebels are just too good for the Demon Deacons in this one as get to the simple picks. Rebels 48, Deacons 6

UTSA at (2) Texas – Really, this game is actually on the schedule. Jeff Traylor hopefully gets a raise for this one. Longhorns 51, UTSA 6

Vanderbilt at Georgia State – This is unbelievable the Commodores are off to this kind of start, but at least their scheduling is letting them get some wins early and confidence. That continues. Commodores 45, Panthers 14

Advertisement

Toledo at Mississippi State – Razorback fans will remember the Rockets coming into Little Rock in 2015 and shocking Bret Bielema’s team and the Bulldogs have heard about it, too. Not this year, though. Bulldogs 52, Rockets 7

(1) Georgia at Kentucky – This one won’t even be close and I’m not wasting finger strength analyzing it because it won’t matter. Bulldogs 49, Wildcats 6

New Mexico at Auburn – If the Tigers lose this game, Hugh Freeze may not be the coach when the Hogs roll into The Plains next weekend. That shouldn’t be a problem after they lost to Cal last week. Tigers 48, Lobos 6

Kent State at (7) Tennessee – Pete has already called this one. Good grief we have to pick it. Vols 69, Golden Flashes 6