Phil & Tye take predictions from listeners, interview Aaron Torres, plus their betting picks!
PETER MORGAN: Picking Razorbacks to straighten out offense
What a wave of emotion we ride when rooting for Razorbacks we decide. Portland State was completely the opposite of the season-opening cupcake victory for which we had hoped.
Holding back or no, we would have a better sense of optimism had we scored more than twenty points last week against a team that plays a school called Simon Fraser this week.
A win is a win thought, right? RIGHT?
September is still an infant in 2019, and already we face an SEC opponent … on the road. Arkansas travels to Oxford to face the probation-tested Ole Miss at 6:30 on the SEC Network. The Rebels are coming off a dismal loss to Memphis, therefore, the timing (possibly) could not have been better.
Just some quick thoughts to the game versus our SEC West “rival”:
• The pass blocking for the Hogs needs to catch up to the level of the run blocking. Both must improve tremendously.
• Ben Hicks threw slightly behind the routes of his receivers against Portland State. The secondary for Ole Miss will be an increase in speed versus what we faced against the Vikings. Our timing must be improved.
• This is the SEC and Coach Chad Morris’s first chance at a conference victory. Unless the starter is struggling, we only need to utilize one quarterback as a signal caller.
• Keep our defense and the Ole Miss offense off the field. This is a given. Arkansas fared much better on third downs last week in comparison to last season. Again, we were playing Portland State.
• Take what the defense gives you… Okay, honestly, I just wanted to quote Lee Corso.
• Pressure, pressure, pressure. The Rebel offensive line is porous. Let’s expose this further and maintain a strong sense of discomfort for Ole Miss QB Matt Corral.
• Steady doses of Rakeem Boyd. I am just a simple college football fan that occasionally proses an opinion piece. I am not a master strategist nor a football statistician. What I do know is that when Rakeem Boyd first arrived at Arkansas, I declared him “the future.” Keep me accurate, No 5.
• CATCH THE BALL!!! Do we really need to visit this from last week? I will, however, state the young wide receivers were very impressive.
• Forget about vanilla — bring on the chocolate and whatever other flavors you have in that playbook of yours, coach Morris. This entire state wants so badly to be behind you. Show us what you came here to do.
All these thoughts are possible. Furthermore, I believe an SEC victory on the road is possible. Otherwise, we go back to bantering primarily about recruiting. Arkansas 34–23.
On to other matters. Week One in the HTL Pick’em Championship Cup race had both Andy Hodges and I missing some early season games due to the drab SEC performances. Outside of the Oregon vs Auburn game in Dallas, our picks coincided.
Now, up 9-4 to my 8-5, Hodges is already proclaiming this entire season a victory. I’ll claw my way all fall long if I must, starting with Week Two.
West Virginia at Missouri — Last week’s loss was due to new parts settling into Barry Odom’s system… Never say never. And as I learned last week, never automatically say “Mizzou”. This weekend might be safe – Tigers by 10.
Charleston Southern at South Carolina — Gamecocks have a need for self-redemption. Charleston Southern may not be the toughest opponent for this task, but a 28-point USC victory will feel good in Columbia.
Vanderbilt at Purdue — A great way to catch a nap before Texas A&M vs Clemson starts. Boilermakers by 4.
(12) Texas A&M at (1) Clemson [UPSET ALERT] — Place your bets folks, the Aggies are going to start the 2019 season with the biggest … No, they’re not. It will be close until the very end as the overconfident Tigers struggle at home with a 14-point victory.
Southern Miss at Mississippi State — The Bulldogs will be tested early but pull away late by 17.
New Mexico State at (2) Alabama — Alabama hosts Homecoming Game II this week. Tide by 42.
Murray State at (3) Georgia — Remember when Arkansas used to play the Racers? Neither do they. They will want to forget Georgia quickly. Bulldogs by 40.
BYU at Tennessee — Vols need a victory after last week’s embarrassment. Unfortunately, the Cougars have something to prove as well. Unfortunately for our friends from Deseret, Brigham Young will have to face armed Volunteers instead of emigrants on this battlefield. UT by 7.
(6) LSU at (9) Texas — Hold tight for me…
Tulane at (10) Auburn — Bo Nix may have surprised a great number of people (including his father) versus Oregon. Tulane is well aware of the Freshman, but it is still not enough – Tigers by 31.
UT Martin at Florida — The Gators are hungry after being off for two weeks following a triumph over a decent Miami team. Feleipe Franks should probably listen to the criticism and use this week’s contest focusing (ironically) on how to be a leader. Florida by 24.
Eastern Michigan at Kentucky — The Wildcats still have something to prove, especially to the pro-Nebraska voters. UK by 18.
Arkansas at Ole Miss — Early season SEC game for the Hogs. The Rebels are still embarrassed for playing horribly in a loss to a non-P5 Memphis squad. Razorbacks by 11.
(6) LSU at (9) Texas [GAME OF THE WEEK] — The pundits have written all that can be written about this match-up. Remember, I am just a simple country opinion writer who despises UT and is always an SEC homer. Matt Breland says the Tigers by 17. I am going with that as well.
Go HOGS!!!
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Even Ole Miss fan picking Hogs to win Saturday’s matchup
Sun Tzu stated, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”
With Saturday’s game in Oxford drawing near, HitThatLine.com sat down and visit with Ole Miss fan Nicholas Carr. Many of you may already be familiar with his name and his Spotify podcast, ‘RedCupRebellion’.
While we may not always agree about who has the best football program, greater game day atmosphere, or the lowest ranking state in education, we were able to spend a little time discussing past games, performing our best renditions of the word “speshul,” and putting our differences aside to agree Arkansas’s greatest recent loss was Jen Bielema.
Since no one would truly be interested in any of that nonsense, we decided to share with you a few inquiries we posed upon Nicholas along with his responses. Enjoy.
HTL: Ole Miss looked surprisingly rough in their opening outing versus Memphis in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium this past Saturday. What mistakes or issues did you as a fan and a critical observer notice which made a significant difference in the outcome? Can these be corrected before hosting the Hogs on Saturday?
NC: The Rebels problems started up front on offense. The offensive line struggled run blocking but was abysmal on the pass block. Probation has decimated them up front, and I am not sure it can be fixed in a week. There is some consideration Rich Rodriguez needs to do something different — perhaps roll out the QB or get some quick slant routes to help Corral get the ball out quickly – but when the line cannot block even for 2 seconds any play you call will be tough to execute.
HTL: Is Arkansas the right team to play in Week 2 with both programs trying to rebuild? Obviously Ole Miss views this game as winnable, but does the Rebel faithful feel it is a guaranteed win, or perhaps is there a fear you could start off the season 0-2?
NC: I think so. Sure, the season and perhaps the Matt Luke era in Oxford both hang in the balance, but when you are not extremely deep, maybe it is best to play your biggest games early. As the season progresses, Ole Miss will be worn down off of games against LSU, Alabama, and Auburn, so we might as well get this over with now. The fanbase is already on edge, so a win against Arkansas early in the season would go a long way to calm some nerves.
HTL: It’s hard to believe Matt Luke is entering his third-year as head coach for Ole Miss. Tell me, what are your thoughts on the job he has done as well as the staff (including Mike MacIntyre, Rich Rodriguez, and Tyrone Nix) he has put together, please?
NC: Allowing two former Power 5 head coaches to join his staff showed a lot of restraint. He understood his shortcomings and identified the issue and worked to resolve it. At times last year the defense was so out of position opposing offenses could not tell how we were lined up. Getting a guy like Mike MacIntyre in has changed that completely. Guys are in the right spot, but they are also executing their jobs correctly. Complete 180 from last year.
HTL: Why will Ole Miss win this Saturday?
NC: Rich Rod figured out how to get Corral out of the pocket and get the ball to his playmakers. The defense brings the same attitude they brought last week in Memphis and, with the help of an offense being on the field more, it will not tire out late in the game. An interception late in the game seals it.
HTL: Why will Arkansas win in Oxford?
NC: The line continues playing the role of a matador and Matt Corral is running for his life. When an offensive line plays back, the entire team feels it. The skill guys are frustrated they cannot get the ball, the QB is tired of getting hit, the defense is tired of being on the field, and the head coach is mad at everyone. If Arkansas wins it will be because Ole Miss remains anemic offensively.
HTL: Score prediction?
NC: 27-17 Arkansas. You can scheme around a lack of playmakers on offense. You can even fix not getting pressure or giving up too many big plays on defense. It’s hard to fix the offensive line issues, especially in one week. The line continues struggling and home field is not enough.
Bonus Question: Colonel Reb or Rebel Black Bear?
NC: That’s Lenoir-Rhyne’s black bear now. No, really, they bought the mascot from us and use it. Rebel meant well and was pretty funny once you got to know him. I’d be okay if we bought him back and let him put the paper bag back on his head.
HTL: Good luck this weekend, Mr. Carr, and thanks again for your time. Long live the Landshark?
NC: Amen.
We again thanked Nicholas for his time and informed him how we respected his loyalty to their program. Hopefully we can talk again soon.
You can find Nicholas on his ‘Twitter’ feed @NicholasCarr, and please take the time to relish his podcast.
This week the ‘RedCupRebellion’ sat down with Arkansas’s own Tucker Partridge, and we will personally ensure an increase in dosage of Norvasc before listening will not be necessary … this time.
Oh, and, uh, eat your heart out, Edward Morrow.
Go HOGS!!!
Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday
John & Tommy are joined by Clay Henry to discuss the Ole Miss Rebels, plus T-Dub stops by!
Morris has a plan that really isn’t based on what Hog fans think
Considering each team’s scoring output in the opening week of the season, fans of both Arkansas and Ole Miss are apparently expecting something resembling two mules fighting over a turnip.
That’s what you get when the Razorbacks hold off Portland State by 20-13 and the Rebels’ faceplant in Memphis, 15-10.
Which is why 100 on the over-under this week may be too low. That tends to happen in this series.
So many Hog fans are expecting the worst you get the idea they are almost hoping for it. You would think they lost last week.
But this is fan base has historically been more concerned with style points than wins and losses. That’s a trend that goes back to the 1960’s.
Frank Broyles caught so much grief in 1967 he told everybody the Hogs would be passing the ball more, going to a pro-style offense.
Despite the first play of 1968 being a bomb attempt to a fast-stepping Max Peacock that Bill Montgomery missed on, they actually ran the ball more in ’68 than they did in ’67.
“It was important for recruiting we told everybody we were a pro-style offense,” Broyles said a few years later. To most in those days, that meant you were going to be flinging it around the field.
But fans were happy. Even in a loss to Texas in 1968, fans griped more in a 16-2 win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They missed too many offensive chances and Bill Burnett getting tackled in the end zone for a safety gave them something.
Even in the era of the Great Playcaller himself, the Hogs scored over 40 and lost by double digits (including a 22-point loss to Auburn and Cam Newton). Sometimes you get the idea fans would have been upset with a narrow win.
Also during that time frame, there were some nail-biting wins over folks like Troy, East Carolina (in overtime) and Western Kentucky.
Quit complaining about a win, regardless how ugly it was over any caliber team.
Sometimes the game plan is a little different from what some of the Lunatic Fringe geniuses think (or hope) it is.
The guess here is the Razorbacks’ offense is going to look a little different than it did against Portland State. There were at least three basic routes they practice in drills I’ve seen that were not run a single time in the opener.
Chad Morris really doesn’t care what you think about the margin of victory or how you judge the style because 99.345 percent of the people reading this have no clue what he was wanting to accomplish.
The Hogs’ offense will be fine. Even during last year’s disaster, they put up more yardage and points on Alabama until the Crimson Tide nosedived into the ground against Clemson. Morris knows offense, regardless what you want to think in a short-sighted, narrow, viewpoint.
Do not base a plan on what you see in the opening game of a season where a lot of coaches would have run quarterback sneaks all day if they come out of it with a win.
Ultimately, that’s what matters.
Morris has a game plan for an entire program, not just a game or a season. His plan is one that is based on a certain foundation and he’s likely going to have the time to see if he can put something together.
Oh, and that plan includes winning. Morris isn’t putting that plan up for a vote by the fans, either, and he’s not too concerned with how they’d vote anyway. He’s well aware of what does matter.
Morris was a math major and knows it’s all in the numbers with a W.
Neighbors only celebrating national ranking for 10 minutes
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas came in at 19 in espnW’s Way-Too-Early Preseason Top 25, announced today.
The Hogs are one of five SEC teams to earn a spot in the rankings.
“Coach speak would lead one to say ‘Oh that’s just one preseason poll…end of the year matters…blah blah blah’”, coach Mike Neighbors said. “Those coaches have most likely been ranked for years and are trying to deflect expectation.
“We have a locker room full of players who have worked their tails off to be mentioned, so we are going to embrace it and celebrate it. We have a group that realizes it won’t carry any weight into Selection Monday unless we practice and play up to the high standards this group has set.
“So we will celebrate for 10 minutes today and then get back on the court!”
The Razorbacks’ jump into the top 25 is a result of their postseason performance in 2019, as Neighbors’ squad caught fire during the SEC Tournament, becoming the highest seed ever (10) to make it the tournament final, courtesy of upset wins over then-No. 12 South Carolina and then-No. 15 Texas A&M.
The Hogs also had a nice run in the WNIT, getting wins over Houston and UAB before falling to TCU in a close game in Round Three.
espnW explained their pick and positioning of the Razorbacks as follows:
“Momentum is the big word around the Razorbacks after they finished the season so impressively with a run to the SEC tournament title game and a third-round WNIT appearance. Junior Chelsea Dungee (20.5 PPG last season) will be one of the top scorers in the SEC, and third-year coach Mike Neighbors has five of his next six top scorers from last season back. Guard Amber Ramirez, a former McDonald’s All American, is eligible after her transfer from TCU and could be the perfect running mate for Dungee.”
The Razorbacks’ schedule is expected to be announced in the next few weeks.
???? Halftime Pod presented by Jeff’s Clubhouse — Brett Northsworthy
Phil & Tye recap Chad Morris’ comments from Wednesday, interview Brett Northsworthy, and more!
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday
John & Tommy discuss the Ole Miss/Arkansas games in years past, Morris with the media, plus Richard Davenport!
Burks, Knox have more confidence in Hogs’ offense than fans
Since an opening day win that probably was far closer than most considered comfortable, it’s been a week of doom and gloom over the state of the Arkansas offense.
Freshman wide receivers Treylon Burks and Trey Knox weren’t having it Tuesday in their first time talking to the media this season.
They are far more confident in this offense than the fans or the majority of media folk.
“We’re going to dominate,” Burks responded to a question, which drew a reaction from the interviewer.
Burks didn’t miss a beat.
“Just being honest with you,” he said.
It was the kind of candid reaction you don’t normally get from freshmen on their first trip into the media scrum. In case you don’t know that’s when a coach or player stands there and it’s usually about 10 people trying to get as close as possible.
And Burks is the quiet one.
Knox is much more animated, often doing a little dance during wide receiver drills in practice and he was all smiles talking with us Monday.
“We’re going to put a lot of points up in this game,” Knox said.
Knox had the longest catch of the day, a 38-yarder, but he also had a drop earlier that somebody brought up Monday. Earlier in the second quarter, Ben Hicks threw a pass over the middle to Knox … and he dropped it.
“We needed that one,” Knox said. “I didn’t think it was going to get through, but I should have been prepared for it. But it’s not going to happen again.”
This week, Razorback fans have questioned why Hicks is even starting at quarterback as Nick Starkel is in the position of what is often the most popular position … backup quarterback.
Yet, he throws a pass to Knox he didn’t think would get through, but somehow it did.
Injuries put the two highly-touted freshmen into the starting lineup in the season opener. But it’s just a preview, Knox thinks.
“It shows what we have coming in the future,” he said, with the customary smile.
There was a moment, though, when a lot of fans held their collective breath.
Burks took a helmet to the knee he had surgically repaired last October and he grabbed the knee on the Hogs’ sideline.
“It just scared me,” Burks said. “That’s the first time I got hit on my knee since I’ve had knee surgery.”
The game against Portland State was the first time he’d been in a live contest since suffering that knee injury.
“It was a little nerve-wracking,” Burks said of being back on the field for the first time.
Now all we have to do is get Razorback radio commentator Quinn Grovey to remember there’s only one Trey on the field when both of the freshmen are playing.
It’s Treylon Burks and Trey Knox.
Quinn, you’re confusing the folks in Warren.
