Arkansas linebacker Grant Morgan (19 tackles, 1.5 for loss) was disappointed in falling to Tigers, but liked the way the youngsters on the defensive line played.
Hogs can’t pull off late drive to get win, fall late to LSU, 27-24
Arkansas started short-handed against LSU on Saturday, then saw a key player ejected and still couldn’t take advantage of chance to win at end in 27-24 loss.
The Razorbacks had several players in the defensive line out due to covid restrictions and the Tigers took advantage of that, dominating the meaningless time of possession and number of plays stats.
Then Hogs safety Jalen Catalon was ejected for targeting (it wasn’t, at least by any understanding of the rule I’ve gotten from people who know). He will now have to sit out the first half of next week’s game against Missouri.
In the end, though, Arkansas still had a shot to win before a drive stalled on the LSU 27 and Sam Pittman chose to go for a field goal to send the game into overtime and A.J. Reed’s 44-yard attempt was partially blocked.
4Q 1:24: Feleipe Franks directed a drive that got down within range, Sam Pittman decided on a fourth-and-3 at the LSU 27 to go for a long field goal from the inconsistent A.J. Reed. It was partially blocked by the Tigers, falling short. LSU 27, Hogs 24
4Q 3:59: Arkansas’ defense can’t make a play when they need it and the freshmen quarterback T.J. Finley leads the Tigers 67 yards in 10 plays to get a score on a 13-yard pass to Jaray Jenkins. Now the Hogs’ offense has to come up with an answer when it matters the most. LSU 27, Hogs 24
4Q 12:42: Kendal Briles is breaking out the big plays in the fourth quarter with a 51-yard pass to T.J. Hammonds (yes, he’s still on the team), which Hammonds followed with a 29-yard run, but the drive stalled and A.J. Reed kicked a 22-yard field goal. Hogs 24, LSU 20
3Q 1:04: Arkansas’ offense gets pinned on the 4, then Feleipe Franks and Mike Woods hook up and it’s off to the races. A second pass puts it on the 2 and Trelon Smith gets it in from a yard out and the Hogs get the lead back. Hogs 21, LSU 20
HALFTIME: The Tigers got a 24-yard field goal from Cade York as time expired as a lead they could blow open if they do anything with the second-half kickoff. The Hogs’ lack of players on the defensive front is causing problems.
Offensively, though, the Hogs look as disorganized as the first half of the Tennessee game.
Just like that game, though, we’ll see what adjustments are made at halftime which likely will make the difference in how things play out.
LSU 20, Hogs 14
2Q 3:44 The Hogs’ offense answers with a big pass from Feleipe Franks to Mike Woods for 50 yards to the LSU 25. Franks, making amends for his earlier interception, run up the middle for a score from 10 yards out. LSU 17, Hogs 14
2Q 4:53: After the Hogs recover a fumble, Feleipe Franks throws an interception to Jabril Cox that is returned to the 1. Ty Davis-Price scored on the next play and it will be up to Arkansas’ offense to answer. LSU 17, Hogs 7
2Q 13:54: LSU’s offense not going for many big plays, dinking their way down the field working the clock, but they hit a 30-yard scoring play from T.J. Finley to Racey McMath when Hogs cornerback Hudson Clark gets out of position and the Tigers get the lead back. Arkansas’ offense looks completely baffled on some drives. LSU 10, Hogs 7
1Q 3:40: Treylon Burks and Mike Woods switched some routes and the Warren native was wide open down the right sideline for a 65-yard scoring pass and he becomes the fastest Razorback to reach 1,000 yards. Hogs 7, LSU 3
LSU strikes first as the Razorbacks’ offense is struggling again to get the engine running smoothly at the start. The Tigers go 51 yards in eight plays with T.J. Finley hitting enough passes on third down to keep things alive and Cade York kicks a 49-yard field for the first points of the game. LSU 3, Hogs 0
You can listen to the game live RIGHT HERE at HitThatLine.com or on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
ANDY’S PICKS: Franks better than Finley which is why Hogs will win
One thing Sam Pittman has done since taking over Arkansas’ football program is, well, he’s locked down the information leaks, even during the ongoing Covid panic.
If anything we’ve only learned the only people talking really don’t know what they’re talking about and the ones who do know won’t say a word.
Even on social media, which is where a lot of leaks occurred or in whispered tones from “sources” everybody has.
With the Thursday testing, everybody was anxiously awaiting word Friday about whether there would even be a game against LSU on Saturday.
Athletics director Hunter Yurachek basically broke the news on the Twitter thing:
Almost Time…. 24 hours until @RazorbackFB returns to The Hill vs LSU. #WinAsOneRazorback pic.twitter.com/6qIiYpyFIr
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) November 20, 2020
Pittman followed with his own a little later:
We need everyone we can get in here tomorrow!#GoHogs #prouddamnstate pic.twitter.com/obOyiuKnBT
— Coach Sam Pittman (@CoachSamPittman) November 20, 2020
So we’re assuming it’s all game on.
This is where things get interesting. Pittman said Thursday the Razorbacks’ roster was “thin,” but he also talked a lot about what backup players meant in making practices better for the starters and guys who played most of the snaps.
If you read between the lines on all that the guess is the Hogs have some backups with either positive tests or in quarantine because of who they’ve come into contact with or whatever.
These days it’s hard to know at best and virtually impossible with the lack of any information handed out by colleges and universities.
LSU coach Ed Orgeron has dealt with the issues, having games against Florida and Alabama postponed. According to the best guesses of folks in Baton Rouge he didn’t lose sleep over either one of those games.
It tells you how much both the Tigers and Hogs have changed from last year.
The Hogs were nearly a 50-point underdog going to Baton Rouge last year with a freshman quarterback starting (K.J. Jefferson) and an interim head coach (Barry Lunney, Jr.).
LSU has moved into a 1-point favorite at some betting locations while the Hogs are back to a 1.5-point favorite at some others. As I learned years ago, if it’s less than a 3-point spread it’s probably going to be a close game and is virtually a pick-em.
That’s what I think this one is.
While some Razorback fans are picking a 2-3 touchdown win, the guess here is it won’t be that big of a margin … unless freshman T.J. Finley plays like a freshman.
And LSU will have to pass because they haven’t been consistent running the ball this year at all.
Barry Odom has been able to return to witness protection this week as Pittman has returned and this is the type opponent his scheming seems to work well against.
Finley hasn’t seen a look throwing the ball like he’s going to see Saturday morning.
It’s all about matchups and this is a matchup that really doesn’t favor LSU. Odom made quarterbacks with far more experience than Finley make repeated and costly mistakes, leading to Arkansas wins.
That is precisely why I’m taking the Hogs in a close one.
For the first time in years, the Hogs will have the best and most experienced quarterback on the field in this game and Feleipe Franks will be the difference.
Hogs 34, LSU 29
While holding a consistent two-game advantage over Pete Morgan, who somehow came up with one of the possible excuses for me being quiet was something called “Cocomelon,” whatever in the world that is. Nope, Pete, it’s called being polite about another year of kicking you around in the picks. Call it what you want.
Florida (-31.5) at Vanderbilt
Let’s see, the Gators’ game with LSU is postponed but this one is still going to be played. This is going to be over by halftime unless Florida just suddenly can’t play. Florida 69, Vandy 3 (I don’t want to be cruel)
Kentucky at Alabama (-30.5)
While we have more games this weekend, nobody has said they are better games. Alabama 45, Kentucky 13
Tennessee at Auburn (-10.5)
It feels like a month since the Tigers have played a game while the Vols probably wish they hadn’t played a game in a month. Auburn should not have much problem as the Tennessee crash continues. Auburn 35, Tennessee 14
Mississippi State at Georgia (-24.5)
Okay, that line is a little out of whack to me. One stat is the reason why — the Bulldogs, with the noted offensive genius Mike Leach running things, is averaging 21.5 yard rushing per game. Leach ran off the best running back on the team. Georgia is debuting J.T. Daniels at quarterback … finally. Georgia 48, State 6
Missouri (-6) at South Carolina
The Gamecocks will be debuting a new coach which probably won’t change the results an awful lot. The Tigers aren’t great but they are playing better than South Carolina right now and their coach is in his first year. If Hugh Freeze goes to Columbia, though, life in the SEC East may get a little more interesting. Missouri 31, South Carolina 21
PETE’S PICKS: Hogs will win this one over defending national champs
It’s funny how things change. One day everything is going great, and then someone leaves, and now the daily mediocrity stares you directly in the face.
You begin to wonder for how long? Will this sensation of going from the top of the mountain to the bottom rung last forever? Will I ever return to normal or even obtain that psychological high?
Hitting too close to home for you? I get it. Oh trust me, I totally get it, and I’ve got 12 reasons why.
No, this intro is for the staunch LSU fan. Imagine being in their shoes.
One season you watch your beloved team hoist the national championship, then Joe Burrow leaves, and now you’re spending your Saturdays at home wondering if you have enough Kahlúa to pacify your mind long enough to make it to Sunday.
When this season started LSU fans circled the Arkansas game as a win. Razorbacks fans most likely marked it with a red L.
Normally I hate it when things change on a calendar, especially when it’s something I have my heart set upon. However, in this case, I am glad to see the expected yet tentative outcome change.
Nothing will make this unusual, “Thanksgiving is canceled due to Covid” holiday season better than having the Hogs take down the defending national champion.
So where do things stand? Can Arkansas pull off the upset?
What’s that? The Razorbacks are favored in this game? Surely you jest.
Why Arkansas will win:
Sam Pittman is back. Barry Odom did a fine job, but no doubt the players will respond to having the entire coaching staff in their traditional roles.
Trey Knox has something to prove. I’ll leave this right here.
Our offense is getting better and better. Kendal Briles will have a great scheme come Saturday. No doubt.
Why LSU will win:
They won’t. Seriously. Arkansas will win this one.
Also, I was feeling lazy when I wrote this.
FINE. LSU’s players reportedly have circled the wagons to salvage the remainder of their season. Will this newfound motivation be enough?
Final thoughts:
Someone asked me why I didn’t interview Matt Breland this year? The answer: He always picks LSU to win.
Sorry, Matt, I didn’t want you to be wrong this year.
Arkansas basketball starts Wednesday. Check out hitthatline.com daily to see the latest updates.
I’m loving the backfield more and more each game. The offensive line needs to step up and dominate this week.
It’s always stated, but we have to establish a strong rushing game. Sound familiar?
If you’re successfully using Kahlúa to remedy what ails you you’re either an amateur or you’re problem really are not that bad.
I hope the Hogs put more effort into the game Saturday than I did this week’s piece.
LSU will not go quietly.
Razorbacks, 34 – 17.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11 a.m. on HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC picks for Week 12
Andy is quiet … too quiet. He either has COVID or has been marathon watching “Cocomelon.”
(6) Florida at Vanderbilt: If Kyle Trask gets off the bus in Nashville pray for Vanderbilt. Pray hard. Gators by 34.
LSU at Arkansas: Oh how things can change in one season. Hogs by 17.
Kentucky at (1) Alabama: The question is not whether or not Alabama will win. The question is if Kentucky comes out for the second half. Tide by 40.
Tennessee at (23) Auburn: I started feeling bad for Tennessee and Jeremy Pruitt following their loss to the Razorbacks. His seat is extremely blazing, and unless he shows he is ready to play the underclassmen (or if Tennessee’s accountants can’t do some major mathematical magic) he is out the door. This week will not help his case. Tigers by 22.
Mississippi State at (13) Georgia: Do I really need to break this down? Georgia by 30.
Missouri at South Carolina: I flipped my lucky coin … then I remember the Florida-Georgia game, and I threw my coin back into the drawer. Tigers by 7.
Ole Miss at (5) Texas A&M is postponed. Rebels fans can rejoice.
.38 Special said it best: Hold on loosely.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Go HOGS!!!
Arkansas program in a better place than defending national champs LSU
First, let me say there is a qualifier on this column.
We know Arkansas will be short-handed for the LSU game Saturday. We don’t know if that means a handful of bench players or if key starters will be out.
We do know that starting quarterback Feleipe Franks will play because questions of his hand injury he suffered last week against Florida were met with confirmation from coach Sam Pittman that he practiced all week.
So, there’s a lot of uncertainty swirling around this matchup. There is also a possibility that LSU may be missing players after a recent round of Covid-19 struck its program and caused the cancelation of the Tigers game with Alabama last week.
However, LSU coach Ed Orgeron said he expects to be at full-strength.
I’ll take Saturday’s result with a bit of a grain of salt because of the pandemic, but I will stand by what I had planned to write last week.
And that is, Arkansas’ program is in a better place currently than the defending champion Tigers.
You would have thought I was crazy if I told you last year I would pen that phrase. It is indeed nuts how thing can change in a year.
Last year, LSU welcomed Arkansas as nearly a 50-point favorite. They had QB Joe Burrow, the eventual Heisman winner, and they were rolling. Arkansas was at the depths of despair — the darkest moment in program history.
This week, before the pandemic news broke, Arkansas was a slim favorite playing at home. The odds makers called it correctly.
The Hogs have performed better.
The Tigers lost to Mississippi State in the opener, and gave up the most single-game passing yards in SEC history in the loss to the Bulldogs. A week later, Arkansas marches into Starkville and contains the Bulldogs passing attack and wins.
The Tigers also lost at Missouri and were drummed 48-11 by Auburn. The same Auburn team that needed a little help from the officials late in the game to narrowly beat Arkansas at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Not much has gone right for LSU following the title-game win over Clemson. Orgeron lost offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who took the same position with the Carolina Panthers and Dave Aranda, who became the head coach at Baylor, and had 14 Tigers selected in the NFL Draft.
The staff changes coupled with an extreme loss of talent has the Tigers rebuilding instead of reloading.
Orgeron has proven he’s not Nick Saban and his program isn’t and talent rich as the Crimson Tide and Clemson with their knack for restocking players annually and finding freshmen who are ready to be plugged in.
Hopefully, LSU fans enjoyed the national championship run because this year has been a major dud in so many respects, including some off-the-field incidents that didn’t reflect well on Orgeron or the program.
What I will argue is, it will be too much to overcome, and the Tigers will sink to the lower echelon of the league for a period of time, and Arkansas will replace them.
While the Hogs haven’t been able to pull a shocking upset, they have been more than respectable playing one of the tougher schedules in college football history.
With a game at Missouri next week and a regular-season finale against Alabama to play, the Hogs could finish .500, which not many would have predicted.
Pittman has cemented himself as an SEC Coach of the Year candidate. The turnaround Arkansas has made defensively as a whole and on the offensive line is improbable.
Barry Odom has breathed new life in to the Hogs defensive unit which leads the nation in interceptions. The offensive line has protected grad transfer Franks, and the entire offense is improved.
Even though the season isn’t over, I would expect Arkansas to be picked further up the ladder in the SEC West next year with at least some votes in the Top 25 polls.
I’m not as confident with LSU.
Orgeron’s career as a head coach seemed to be over after a failed attempt at Ole Miss even though he did serve as interim head coach at USC in 2013. He received a second chance at LSU after serving as the interim head coach when Les Miles was fired.
He parlayed that into a permanent gig, and led LSU to its greatest seasons in school history. Now, as things start to unravel a bit, it’s valid to question if Orgeron can right the ship.
Programs have dipped a bit after successful seasons, but Oregeron (48-12 at LSU and 58-39 overall) may have hit his peak.
It appears with everything that has surrounded the program that he has lost the momentum a title provides, and he may not be a strong enough CEO to patch all of the holes that were left following the historic season.
His place in history is etched, but expectations rose, too, and he may not be able to meet those.
Maybe he can get LSU back to contending for an SEC West title, but if he has another subpar season next year, boosters will be less eager to see what happens in 2022.
The two teams are experiencing reversals of fortunes, and if I am betting on the long run, I am taking Pittman and the resurgence he’s leading at Arkansas that could turn into a consistent run of success.
Musselman on how Hogs have progressed getting ready for late start
Arkansas coach Eric Musselman met with the media Friday afternoon as they start regular season Wednesday night against Mississippi Valley.
Fantasy Football Sunday — w/ Daniel Dopp (Secret Squirrel) of ESPN?️
Tye & Evan talk to Daniel about his rise to fantasy stardom, love for all Detroit teams, fantasy trade advice and more!
Sills knows honor on SEC preseason team has nothing to do with this season
Razorbacks guard Desi Sills said Friday afternoon while he appreciated being named to the SEC preseason team he’s got to prove it in season.
Davis on winning dunk competition, new level of competition at college level
Hogs guard Davonte Davis talked with the media Friday afternoon about winning the dunk competition and adjusting to college game.
Torres thinks Musselman’s development of players will help future recruiting
Hogs coach Eric Musselman helped Isaiah Joe be drafted by the Sixers and Mason Jones sign with the Rockets and Aaron Torres thinks that helps future recruiting.
