Can Razorbacks end five-game losing streak Saturday?

Elisha Gray. Samuel J Tilden. Roseville, Arkansas. What do these three things have in common? They all were on the brink of greatness. Each had a life-altering event at their fingertips, only to have success ripped away despite it being so close.

You may not have heard of these two gentlemen and this small township, so allow me to list three similar things. Alexander Graham Bell. Rutherford B. Hayes. Little Rock, Arkansas. Sound a little more familiar?

According to some versions of history, Gray’s lawyer was just a few hours late to the patent office with his “first” version of the telephone.

Tilden lost to President Hayes by one electoral vote in 1876. The same Hayes who worked hard on civil service reform and signed a bill allowing women attorneys to appear before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Roseville (according to legend) lost out on becoming the state capital of Arkansas by two votes. Imagine how different life would be in the River Valley if that unknown place had a massive domed building and was the hub of our state.

[Writer’s note: I have heard many from Roseville make this claim. I have spent many hours throughout the years researching its validity, but to no avail.]

The point is we as fans are taking solace in close losses by our flagship football team. But who remembers the ones who had success within reach but never topped the mountain?

Close is not going to cut it this weekend. Either Arkansas wins, or the majority of fans will check-out for the remainder of the season. A loss against Mississippi State will start the tapping of the nails in the coffin for any chances of becoming bowl eligible. Without any momentum, it will be almost impossible to win out against Florida, Auburn, and Missouri.

No moral victories this weekend. Win or make holiday vacation plans early.

Can we do it? Let’s break it down, shall we?

Oh, and on a quick note: I had someone ask me the other day, “Why do you rarely give stats, breakdowns, and percentages in your pieces?” Allow me to explain for those of you who are still tuned in. I offer up opinion pieces. I discuss my thoughts on the game for people who either want a break from the numbers and calculations, or I write my words for those of you who simply value and associate with an average fan’s thought processes week-in and week-out. Perhaps I am saying exactly what you are thinking in regards to Arkansas football? There is a chance I am saying the complete opposite of what you feel? Or maybe this weekly journey is purely me exercising the limits of what my editor and company leadership will permit me to get away with simply in an attempt to entertain you.

Whatever it is, I love you for it.

Why Mississippi State will Win

They won’t. They are not as talented as Arkansas, nor do they have enough of a game plan to win this once small rivalry on the road.

Why Arkansas will Win

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We are sick of being close, and the players have not given up. There is still bowl eligibility at stake along with a massive amount of pride.

Razorback Stadium will not be rockin’ this weekend, but it will be a fun place, even during an 11 a.m. game. The Bulldogs will still feel the effects of a small, hostile crowd.

How is that for a breakdown? Arkansas, 34–20

Random Thoughts

Arkansas plays basketball this weekend in an exhibition game against UT Tyler. Are you not excited?

You have my permission to shoot on sight any cowbells you come across this weekend.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Arkansas’s first year of playing college football was in 1894. The played three games with one being against the University of Texas. Against whom were the other two games?

I am leaving this up until it is no longer a truth: Pittman STILL has a lot to prove for himself and his coaching staff. He may finally be able turn up that damn jukebox this weekend. And I may finally be able to pull this random thought from the list.

TRIVIA ANSWER: In 1894, Arkansas played one game against the University of Texas and two against [Insert drumroll here] Fort Smith High. Both of the two against Fort Smith were shutout victories with Arkansas winning 42 – 0 in Fort Smith, and then 38 – 0 in Fayetteville.

One other fun fact: We lead the series against Mississippi State 18 to 14 with 1-tie. One of the Bulldogs’ victories was in 1998 [Remember that year?], which propelled them to their only SEC Western Division Championship.

Going back to why I write this weekly but offer no mathematical substance like the other guys. Perhaps I am just too lazy to look up the stats. Just a thought.

As I sit around my office marveling at all my Arkansas Razorbacks merchandise, I am also humbled by one Ms. Patricia Brison, whom I met recently during a business event. At the risk of causing a flood of tourism in her office, I will not disclose her location; however, I will say, if you ever do enter the friendly confines of her office, you will think you have entered a Hogs’ museum. I have never seen such a paradise of Razorback memorabilia than Ms. Brison’s office. If a licensed vendor has manufactured it, she has it in her possession. She will also be at the game this weekend, so let’s give her a victory, Hogs!

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11 a.m. on 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 8

This week the SEC has more byes than a 90’s boy band hit.

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Andy Hodges has seen his early season lead dwindle to a very small number (Editor’s Note: Somebody else isn’t keeping up with the numbers). Perhaps he has gotten cocky and thus lackadaisical with his predictions, or perhaps he has enough believers that he is single-handedly changing the odds in Vegas. Most likely he allowing fear to dictate his picks as he recognizes the football genius before him. Either way, he will be lucky if I do not take the lead today.

Mississippi State at Arkansas – Loud fans. Ticked-off players. A fed-up coaching staff. If Arkansas has all three of these, they will win easily. Hogs by 14.

(17) Tennessee at (11) Alabama – GAME OF THE WEEK: “Tennessee is not as good as they were last year.” “Boy, the Vols sure are having a let-down season.” “The Vols will beat Alabama.” Commonly heard phrases as of late, but can all three of them be true. We will find out Saturday, but you need not wait that long to know, Alabama has this one late in the 4th. Crimson Tide by 4.

South Carolina at (20) Missouri – USC head coach Shane Beamer may be having a mutiny on his hands. The quick rise of Beamer Ball just a short time ago has fallen by the curse that is being a Gamecocks fan, and the latter are turning on the prior. Beamer may not have a job much longer if this losing trend continues. Eli Drinkwitz, while annoying and, honestly, in my opinion, not that great of a head coach, does have his Missouri Tigers playing well. They will move up in the rankings after this weekend.Tigers by 14.

(13) Ole Miss at Auburn – I have no doubt Hugh Freeze is doing everything he can to say his team is focused solely on the opponent but not the past, all the while he has his own inner turmoil with which to deal. He wants this win badly, and he will have his day against Ole Miss… but it will not be this season. Rebels by 11.

Army at (19) LSU – This looks like a “Retro Bowl College” scheduled match-up as LSU hosts a service academy while enjoying a break from their SEC foes. Tigers by 24.

Soller Opposites

Unfortunately for us, Eric attended the BYU game and apparently two guys talked him into going to what he thought they referred to as the “empty sea”. Regardless, he is now prepping for his mission, but he says he will get back to giving us gambling advice as soon as he returns, which he states will be written in Portuguese. Vejo você embreve, Soller!

Thank you, Rocky McCullers, for reading and for going above and beyond at the hardware store the other day. I have never seen a man search so hard for D-rings, and I am grateful for your help.

Saturday is very winnable, and I will be enjoying the best snacks and perhaps even a bootlegged Mountain Dew.

Find me on ‘X’: @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!