ANDY’S PICKS: Do you really think Hogs have a shot against Georgia?
It’s more than mildly entertaining to listen to an Arkansas fan trying to justify how he seriously believes there is a chance to win Saturday against No. 4 Georgia.
Unlike some tend to fall into the trap of thinking, last season (or last week) has absolutely nothing to do with the game in front of the Razorbacks.
Since the Hogs came to the SEC in 1992, playing against the Bulldogs hasn’t worked out well, winning just twice in that time period, both of them coming against Georgia teams with a losing record.
The Hogs simply haven’t been in the same class for the last decade.
And none of that matters Saturday. In a year filled with civil unrest piled on top of a global health crisis, now we have football where we really have no idea what players are going to be able to play in the game until they kick it off.
Thank you, quarantine. To date, the number of college football players having serious issues from the corona virus is so small as to be virtually insignificant. So far, the fear of passing the virus from player to player in a game hasn’t been realized.
It’s that quarantine from being in contact with someone that tests positive we isolate healthy people with no symptoms to “contain the spread,” which may or may not work depending on which “expert” you choose to believe.
All of that is why this could be a wacky football season and picking winners of games without knowing for certain who will even be on the field is somewhat of a gamble … at best.
For the complete season all picks carry the exact same disclaimer members of Congress use in their remarks: We reserve the right to edit and extend our comments for the record.
We’ll even let Peter Morgan use that excuse. Once again, he strolls into the opening week full of hope that will have enough spark to last until somewhere between Halloween and Thanksgiving before he gets desperate.
But back to this game.
Georgia -28 at Arkansas
For the first time in a couple of years, the Hogs have a coach that actually has a clue what he’s doing in the SEC. Yes, Sam Pittman makes that big of a difference.
Unfortunately, he doesn’t have enough depth to win this game unless the Bulldogs are completely inept on offense, which is probably not going to happen.
What I think is they won’t be good enough to win by four touchdowns in an opening game with no spring practice and a guessing game at quarterback.
For once, the Hogs are the stable team at quarterback with Feleipe Franks taking charge of this team’s offense.
It may not be enough to win, but it will be enough to stay within four touchdowns.
Georgia 34, Arkansas 24
Florida -13.5 at Ole Miss
The Gators were my preseason pick to win the SEC East, partly because that’s what I’ve done every year since 1992 and mainly because I think they’re going to be better at the quarterback spot.
The Rebels are breaking in a new coach and figuring out which quarterback to play, which is why I think this game might be a little more open than some do.
Florida 28, Ole Miss 10
Kentucky +7.5 at Auburn
In looking at this one, either folks are giving the Wildcats some high expectations or they are aware of the two-headed trainwreck running the offense for the Tigers now.
Chad Morris is the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for Gus Malzahn, who has once again said he’s letting somebody else call the plays.
Based on past experience, that means Bo Nix will be in the transfer portal by Halloween and Malzahn will once again be on the hot seat before the end of the year.
The Tigers will win this one, but that’s simply because they are home and I’m not ready to drink the blue koolaid of Kentucky until they do something.
Auburn 21, Kentucky 17
Mississippi State at -17 LSU
The defending national champions will probably be a step behind last year’s team which was good enough to be 2-3 steps ahead of everybody else in the SEC.
Meanwhile in Starkville, Mike Leach takes over a program torn apart inside for two years with a lack of discipline and other issues.
This one could get out of hand quick and get bad.
LSU 49, Mississippi State 14
-28 Alabama at Missouri
Welcome to the SEC, Eli Drinkwitz.
Maybe no one in the SEC has been quieter during the fall camp process than the Crimson Tide where Nick Saban has just gone about the business of doing whatever he has to to have a team ready for a season.
This one won’t be close by the end of the first quarter.
Alabama 52, Missouri 7
Vanderbilt at -30 Texas A&M
Are things going the wrong way for Derek Mason with the Commodores? Probably. That’s how it has gone with the program for the last 40 years or so.
The Aggies are hoping they are in the hunt for a playoff spot but nobody really thinks so. But they are good enough to handle this one, although 30 might be too big of a number to cover.
Texas A&M 41, Vanderbilt 21
Tennessee at +3.5 South Carolina
This might be the best game of the opening week of the season from a competitive standpoint between two coaches who need a winning year or they might be gone.
The guess here is Jeremy Pruitt had one of those seasons last year that gives everyone enough hope the coach better win something quick or he’s going to have a problem.
And Will Muschamp figures it out … again.
South Carolina 17, Tennessee 13
PETER’S PICKS: At least football has finally arrived in 2020 for Hogs
Who can truly define what is important on a finite level?
With so many crucial social issues and other major trials thrown at us in 2020, so many have a newfound perspective on imperative aspects for daily life. The performance of events many have often utilized as key parts of their Saturdays have now been in question.
The reality for sports fans is college football was once a perk enabling us to test the full validity of our Norvasc prescriptions.
Now it is a distraction and escape from the despair and constant reminder of our recent lifestyle changes, and, honestly, watching your favorite team lose this season will still be better and less stressful than a trip to any Walmart.
Rejoice, Razorbacks fans, for our interruption of constant worry is upon us. And for those who will state, “I cannot believe you even consider thinking about sports at a time like this,” well, you, my friend, have clicked upon the wrong article.
Trust me, there are far better opinion pieces out there written by much more talented people than I you are free to enjoy. May I recommend “HowToBecomeASovereignCitizen.com”?
In other words, we are back, and there is the slightest glimmer of hope Arkansas football may have a decent year.
Okay, okay, “slightest” may be too strong of a word; however, the Hogs winning at least three games this season is better odds than jean shorts making a comeback, a kid hating ice cream, and Chad Morris forgiving Ty Storey.
Arkansas hosts No. 4 Georgia this Saturday, and we could not be more excited. Too cliché? Too unbelievable? Too optimistic? Permit me to list some thoughts on the game, and you can check my level of sincerity for yourself.
Why Arkansas will win:
The Hogs have an entirely new coaching staff with an emphasis on optimism, focus, and family. Let’s not forget, even special teams have a dedicated coordinator replacing the recent “thorn in the side” approach.
There is a new quarterback at the helm which many hope will provide a solid, singular presence instead of the smorgasbord former head coach Chad Morris put us through.
Florida transfer Feleipe Franks has yet to convince the faithful he is the answer for at least one season, yet he does provide some much needed experience in the signal caller position.
Rakeem Boyd starts his senior campaign with full aspirations of impressing NFL scouts. It is safe to state No. 5 will be going at full force the entire game, and it is also a given if he can excel, the passing lanes will open up for Franks to hit our talented collection of wide receivers including the stellar Trey Knox.
Why Georgia will win:
They are extremely well-coached and have recent history of showing tremendous discipline within all aspects of the game.
Their defense is one of (if not) the best in nation and they return eight starters.
Most importantly, it is Georgia.
They are one of the best programs in the country, and their highlight reels are countless and impressive, whereas for the Hogs, our surrendering a touchdown to North Texas off a punt return in 2018 still gets more airtime than reruns of “The Andy Griffith Show”.
Final Thoughts:
Whatever the outcome, as evidenced by the introduction of the new coaching staff during halftime of the last Kentucky-Arkansas basketball game, Arkansas fans are excited to have this talented staff leading our young men onto the field each week.
Hopefully this enthusiasm has carried over to the players leading to a resolve of energy and enthusiasm to carry throughout an entire game resulting in a huge upset early in the season.
Speaking of Kentucky, on a personal note, my favorite person has (for whatever reason) mutated into a Wildcats fan. Therefore, I have somewhat softened on my disdain for John Calipari and the team he coaches.
Yes, yes, I do feel a slight sense of shame, but it is worth it.
Oh, and 38 – 17, Georgia.
Welcome to gameday fans, it’s great to be here.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 3 p.m. via 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 “4”
By now you have read and watched about the new coaches and staff, the players to watch, and the analysis on what to expect when the Razorbacks take the field.
Now you get the distinct privilege of gazing your eyes upon the weekly picks for each SEC game.
Yeah, Andy Hodges does this as well, but even he knows who at HitThatLine.Com will come out the victor as we head into the 2020 season competition.
(5) Florida at Ole Miss: Is it too early to predict an upset? Perhaps, and giving Lane Kiffin unearned credit is not my forte. Gators by 15.
(23) Kentucky at (8) Auburn [GAME OF THE WEEK]: I truly believe Kentucky is over-ranked, but playing against a talented Auburn team will not prove my thought. I do hope Chad Morris continues his “winning ways” as the OC for the Eagles though. Tigers by 20.
Mississippi State at (6) LSU: Anxious to see if LSU will compare to the national championship team from last year? Yeah? Well, the Bulldogs do not share your concern. Tigers by 18.
(4) Georgia at Arkansas: Cross your fingers, yet fear is it will not be of any assistance. Bulldogs by 21.
(2) Alabama at Missouri: Hey, at least we are not the Tigers this week. Bama by 30 … in the first half.
Vanderbilt at (10) Texas A&M: The Aggie have a lot to prove this season. Vanderbilt will be their full-on Vandy selves this season. A&M by 24.
(16) Tennessee at South Carolina [SLOPFEST OF THE WEEK]: Is anyone else not sold on Tennessee mainly based upon their sticking with head coaching… What is his name again? The Vols still win, but not easily and definitely not cleanly. Vols by 11.
Perhaps we can shock the world this weekend, Razorbacks fans. Place your bets here, and we will even give you good odds.
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Go HOGS!!!
SEC will start men’s league basketball games just before New Year’s Day
Friday’s announcement by the Southeastern Conference doesn’t change the Nov. 25 start date for non-conference games, but does start conference play just before New Year’s.
Barely, with Dec. 29-30 as the new start dates for the men’s conference schedule and the women’s date staying on Dec. 31.
The league made the announcement via a press release Friday.
The 2020-21 SEC men’s basketball conference schedule will be comprised of 20 play dates that would accommodate an 18-game schedule with two open dates.
Ten SEC schools will fill one of those open dates with the SEC-Big 12 Challenge in late January. The four teams not participating in the SEC-Big 12 Challenge will play league games that day.
The 2020-21 SEC women’s basketball conference schedule remains at 18 play dates that will fit a 16-game league schedule.
Earlier this month, the NCAA Division I Council approved a Nov. 25 start date for the 2020-21 men’s and women’s college basketball seasons, when the SEC will begin non-conference play.
Teams can begin preseason practice on Wednesday, Oct. 14 and will have a 42-day window to conduct no more than 30 practices.
Information from SECSports.com is included in this story.
SECN’s Neal says Hogs have to pull out all stops for chance against ’Dawgs
Nobody is giving Arkansas much of a shot in the opener against Georgia, but Dave Neal thinks the Hogs have to get turnovers, create some plays to stay close.
Bud Light Seltzer Morning Rush Podcast – One Day Away, Dave Neal joins!
Tye & Tommy
on the expectations for Sam Pittman in Game 1, Dave Neal joins us and more!
Holt expecting Razorbacks to show improvement in opener with Georgia
ON HALFTIME: Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette talked about baseball, Ed Orgeron on 60 Minutes and Hogs’ opening season Saturday.
Pittman says Hogs ‘confident they are ready to go’ heading into opener
Hogs coach Sam Pittman told the media Thursday in the last media availability he is anxious but team is “confident” with preparations for Georgia.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS: Razorbacks’ practice Wednesday for Georgia opener
Sam Pittman said later he wasn’t really happy with the Hogs’ practice but here’s what it looked and sounded like as they continued getting ready for Bulldogs.
