One man’s pick: Hogs take an easy one over Eastern Illinois

(Every week Peter Morgan and Andy Hodges will compete to see who picks the most games right. The disclaimer for both picks is if you use them for a friendly wager … you’re on your own and if you lose, well, you get what you pay for.)

Nostradamus. The man behind the credited predictions of the French Revolution, the Great Fire of London, and Arkansas Razorbacks Football.

Well, maybe not the latter, however, one must wonder what the reputed seer would have to say when it comes to the fresh 2018 NCAA football season.

Game by game, a man with a lesser name and lesser fame will attempt to do that which those who place bets in Vegas merely dream. So, with the start of the new campaign, let’s predict Hogs football, shall we?

First up is Eastern Illinois making their trek south to Razorbacks Stadium. Let’s be completely transparent: not much is truly known about any team before the season begins.

That’s why end of the season polls rarely look much like their pre-season equivalents with the exception of (you guessed it) Alabama always hanging around the top.

The offense for Arkansas looks to educate itself simply on what the spread can do with Cole Kelley at the helm for at least the first two series.

Mix in coach Chad Morris installing the new hurry-up system versus Bret Bielema’s slow-the-pace mentality, seeing how the players have and will transition shall be a determining factor not only for this game but for the remainder of the season as well.

There is something about the returning players on defense mixed with the wisdom of John Chavis that has my hopes up a little higher than they probably should be.

Fortunately, we are playing the Panthers of Eastern Illinois which will enable us to iron out any deficiencies. Unfortunately, we are playing the Panthers of Eastern Illinois which will not enable us to determine how good the defense will perform in the SEC.

My guess is that we have an improved defense compared to seasons past which will enable the offense to better find its way over the next year.

Special team. Flip a coin for now. I may have missed too many practices to accurately predict anything here, however, I am hopeful that this Saturday’s game does not come down to anything related to field goals, punting, or anything related to an onside kick.

I do not have enough antacids to support my well-being if so.

So here you have it, from a mere mortal who once prophesied that “MySpace” would change the way that people do business, these are Week One’s conjectures:

Inside, amongst the new northern end zone seats, the fans will be in somewhat strong force for the Labor Day Weekend matchup.

Those wearing red and ‘Calling the Hogs’ will watch the Razorbacks score on their first series, struggle on their second, and push through a less than stellar first half.

However, while Arkansas does not cover the spread, they do make the appropriate adjustments and make short work in the second half against Eastern Illinois. Arkansas 34 – EUI 10.

While I am at it, I might as well make guesswork for the rest of the SEC in some key early season contests: (Spoiler alert: watch out for some homeristic selections.)

• Coastal Carolina at South Carolina – Gamecocks by 28
• Ole Miss at Texas Tech – Red Raiders by 10
• Austin Peay at (3) Georgia – Bulldogs by 30
• (6) Washington at (9) Auburn – Tigers by 7
• (17) West Virginia at Tennessee [UPSET ALERT] – Vols by 3
• Central Michigan at Kentucky – Wildcats by 17
• UT Martin at Missouri – Tigers easily by 28
• SF Austin @ (18) Mississippi State – Bulldogs by 35
• Charleston Southern at Florida – Gators by 42
• Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt – Vandy by 12
• Louisville at (1) Alabama – Crimson Tide by 22
• (8) Miami at (25) LSU – Hurricanes by 7