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Home games, halfway, hope and Ole Miss this week

Pete Morgan
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Ah, Little Rock. Our home away from home. Six games into the 2018 campaign, Arkansas sits at a little less than anticipated 1–5.

And, after coming off what many have consider a successful attempt against Alabama, some Razorbacks fans possess aspirations of a new foundation.

Arkansas hosts the Ole Miss Rebels in War Memorial Stadium this weekend. Yes, the “Great Stadium Debate” has had better coverage than the Razorbacks secondary throughout the years, yet I will make a quick opinion here.

I love the great people across our entire state, and we share this program, however, this is essentially a road game, and in the SEC, every aspect and piece of home field advantage counts.

And to Santos Ramirez, Kevin Richardson and company, I know you read this. And in regard to my previous jab: Prove me wrong, men. Prove me wrong.

A 12-game season has reached its halfway point and I am curious, how close were you on your late-August predictions up to this point?

I’ll be the first to step up and admit I was way wrong. How wrong you ask? Let’s just state Hugh Freeze’s decision to use his university-provided cell phone for “personal business” was more right than me.

But hope rings true still with those who bleed Razorback Red through the great times, the good times, and, honestly, the last seven years. Some are even vocal on social media about possibilities due to the performance against Alabama.

On the central Arkansas field turf Saturday, where can we find a shimmering light to pin all of these winning desires?

The offense keeps progressing under the leadership of veteran players and first-year starter at quarterback, Ty Storey.

At the risk of sounding pretentious, I stated several weeks ago Rakeem Boyd will be needed in heavy doses to greatly compliment Devwah Whaley and create a highly respectable backfield. This kid is the future, and the Rebels will be fully aware of No. 5 by the end of this game.

In retrospect, congrats to the offense for exposing Alabama’s defense. Honestly, readers, if that does not say something about the direction in which Chad Morris has this program headed, I do not know what will.

Moving on, unless Ole Miss Head Coach Matt Luke has a receiving corps like Alabama’s, then the secondary on the Razorbacks defense will be able to focus on taking better angles to the tackle.

Along those same lines, the defensive line will feel like they are on vacation after facing what appeared to be the WWE developmental roster last week.

Even John Chavis may be more relaxed and at ease going head-to-head against the offensive coordinator for the Rebels (Phil Longo) as compared to the Nick Saban masterpiece that has scored more this season than even Wilt Chamberlain thought possible.

Interpret this comparison however you like.

I believe it was the brain trust of “The Morning Rush” who was discussing in detail that there is not a designated special teams coach at the University of Arkansas.

In fact, if you are not aware, the staff currently uses an approach which has been noted as “by committee.”

I would never tell Morris how to do his job, however, this strategy hopefully is short-term and a full-time assistant is defined for 2019. If not, look out.

On a side note, if you are not listening to the gentlemen on the aforementioned “The Morning Rush” weekday mornings from 6-9 a.m., then you are truly missing out on the best sports broadcast in all of Arkansas.

Fayetteville or Little Rock? That is up for you to decide.

We are halfway home for 2018, and the chances of a bowl game seem less possible than Caitlyn Jenner being canonized.

But hope? Yes, we can always have optimism, especially this weekend. Our boys should be on somewhat of a high, and this could prove dangerous for those wearing Oxford blues.

Quick fun fact shared to me by one Tom Turner: Storey has never lost in Little Rock.

The gist of the story is if Chad Morris wants to turn any kind of page for this program’s long-term relevance this season, the game against Ole Miss is that opportunity.

Granted, there will be strong possibilities for victories remaining in opponents like Tulsa and Vanderbilt, however, this is the Hogs best chance against name with which some will one day reflect upon the record books and deem a formidable opponent.

You might call this my weekly “UPSET ALERT:” Arkansas 34, Ole Miss 17.

Dear Mr. Hodges,

You may have a substantial lead at the midpoint of our 2018 contest, but at 48–11, I am not too far back to make like Van Halen and turn this thing around.

  • (14) Florida at Vanderbilt – Gators by 24
  • Tennessee at (21) Auburn – Tigers by 11
  • (2) Georgia at (13) LSU – Even in Death Valley, the UG is too tough. Bulldogs by 12
  • (22) Texas A&M at South Carolina – Aggies by 28
  • Missouri at (1) Alabama – Tide… Who really cares by how much?

This HitThatLine.Com race is too tough for an official “Upset Alert” this week, so I may just throw out two next time.

Oh, and what was that earlier? A Van Halen reference in 2018? Well, it was either them or Bonnie Tyler, and I’ve got a Man Card to think about.

Go HOGS!!!

Follow me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS

Lots of questions surround Bryant’s visit to Arkansas

Andy Hodges
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When Kelly Bryant announced he was transferring from Clemson, Arkansas immediately popped into folks’ minds as a possible landing spot for the graduate transfer.

Chad Morris recruited Bryant for the Tigers, but left before Bryant signed or got to campus.

Now he’s on the market again and it’s only natural Morris would reach out to him and did, obviously. Bryant has scheduled an official visit — his first — to Arkansas on October 20 for the game against Tulsa.

He has an unofficial visit set for North Carolina this weekend.

“I’m going to take my first official visit to Arkansas,” Bryant said Wednesday to Woody Wommack of Rivals.com. “I’m excited to get down to Fayetteville and see what all Arkansas has to offer.”

What Arkansas has to offer is a quarterback room that’s going to have to see somebody leave the program after December.

Ty Storey is the starter right now, but freshmen Connor Noland and John Stephen Jones are sitting in the wings. Cole Kelley is being used in certain short-yardage situations where they want him to run 2 yards and fall forward. Daulton Hyatt doesn’t appear to figure in any plans whatsoever.

The Hogs have North Panola, Mississippi, quarterback K.J. Jefferson committed and they have offers out for the 2020 class.

Somebody’s gotta leave you would think with a lot of speculation that Kelley and Hyatt are the most likely transfers.

Bryant will find a big-time class of freshmen slated to come to Arkansas next year with the commitment of tight end Hudson Henry of Pulaski Academy in Little Rock on Thursday joining maybe the most talented group of receivers the Hogs have ever signed.

With Treylon Burks, Shamar Nash and Trey Knox committed to join the receivers already on campus, Bryant will find a solid receiving corps in place. There’s a wealth of talent at running back. The offensive line, well, that will come around … hopefully.

The biggest questions facing the coaching staff seems to be:

• There’s an overload of quarterbacks that can’t play on the roster now. Which quarterbacks already committed or on campus will leave?

• By all reports, Bryant was a mentor and great teammate of Trevor Lawrence, the freshman who replaced him as the starter at Clemson. Would he be willing to duplicate that role at Arkansas with Connor Noland and K.J. Jefferson?

• In building a program, is Morris willing to trade development of one of the younger quarterbacks on a graduate transfer who would only be there for one year?

Maybe the last question is the most important one for Morris. If he thinks Bryant could have the impact of Cam Newton at Auburn in 2010 or even Trevor Knight at Texas A&M in 2016, then maybe he would want him.

Or maybe Morris is going the same route as Nick Saban, which is get the most talent possible on the team and then move the pieces around to find something that works.

A lot of questions to be answered.

And not all of them will be up to Bryant.

Razorbacks, Cowboys agree to pair of football games

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks, Cowboys agree to pair of football games

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas and Oklahoma State have agreed to a two-game, home-and-home football series for 2024 and 2027.

The Razorbacks will travel to Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma, during the 2024 season, while Arkansas will host the Cowboys in 2027 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

It will be the first time since 1980 the two teams have squared off against each other, when the Razorbacks defeated OSU, 33-20, in Little Rock. Overall, Arkansas holds a 30-15-1 advantage in the series, claiming each of the last five meetings with the Cowboys.

The two squads have met 25 times in Little Rock, with the Razorbacks holding a 21-4 record in those matchups. The old Southwest Conference foes first met on Oct. 12, 1912, in Fayetteville, with the program’s first win over the Cowboys coming a year later in a 3-0 victory on Oct. 18, 1913.

In addition to Oklahoma State, Arkansas previously announced contests against Notre Dame (2020 & 2025) and Texas (2021), bolstering its future non-conference schedules.

???? Thursday Halftime Pod — Featuring Bob Holt

Tye Richardson
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Henry commits to Hogs, putting them in Top 20

Andy Hodges
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Hudson Henry’s commitment Thursday has moved Arkansas into the Top 20 in most recruiting rankings, but that can’t be the best for Chad Morris at Arkansas.

Some fans may not particularly like that statement, but the coaches will understand it and the guess here is Morris and his staff agrees with it.

Henry’s pledge moved the Razorbacks to No. 19 in the 247Sports.com composite rankings, No. 23 at ESPN.com and all the way up to No. 12 in the Rivals national rankings.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Hogs land more talent for the 2019 class, which is considered one of the best for the school in years.

That ranking is not where Morris and this staff want to be. They are shooting higher, but they didn’t exactly walk into a situation that had years of highly-ranked recruiting classes.

No, they are building and this class is evidence this staff is willing to work at the recruiting game.

With 22 commitments now, they may be able to add two or three more, but there are some indications via offers that they are already working hard on the 2020 class.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday

Tye Richardson
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday

John & Tommy are joined by Nick Mason to discuss the best Ole Miss won, interview Richard Davenport a

Hogs’ offense could be big key against Ole Miss

Andy Hodges
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Arkansas started this season offensively trying to follow Chad Morris’ credo of getting in the left lane, popping the clutch and putting the hammer down.

Only problem was the thing stalled.

The Razorbacks’ offense finally got started against Texas A&M after settling on a driver with Ty Storey named the quarterback and, of all things, getting rolling against No. 1 Alabama.

Granted, it was the equivalent of running a Corvette at the Indy 500, but it was still running much better than the previous three weeks. That more resembled running a Corvette that had dropped a couple of cylinders.

Against Ole Miss this week, it better be in the left lane with the hammer down and pretty much view the brake as an optional add-on.

That’s because the Rebels have big-play ability with a group of three wideouts in A.J. Brown, D.K. Metcalf and DeMarkus Lodge who are all big and tend to make a lot of big plays.

“They’re as good as anybody in the SEC,” Morris said Wednesday. “They have two, possibly even three, first-round receivers. They’re that talented.”

He knows that’s going to be a tall order for a Hogs’ secondary that has given up an average of 271 yards passing per game this season. While the Hogs have out-rushed their opponents (barely), they have been seriously short in the passing game.

“It’s going to force us to have to cover not just sideline to sideline, but we also have to cover end zone to end zone with these guys,” Morris said.

It will be a defensive effort for the ages if Arkansas is able to shut down Ole Miss’ offense. There’s not much chance of that happening.

Which is why the Razorbacks’ offensive performance is going to be the key to this game.

Remember the game against Houston in 1989? Yeah, that’s the game when Quinn Grovey became a legend, winning a shootout against the Cougars, who had Andre Ware at quarterback in his Heisman Trophy-winning season.

Arkansas won that game — which was a true shootout — by continuing to pile up yards and points. The Razorbacks won because, well, Houston blinked. You can’t do that in a shootout.

That Houston game, by the way, was played at War Memorial Stadium. There’s been more than a couple of shootouts there over the years.

Ole Miss’ defense may be the best chance for the Hogs’ offense to break out. Especially the running game. With a slew of running backs healthy for this game (and we’re assuming Devwah Whaley will be back), the best way to defense the Rebels’ high-flying offense is keep them on the bench.

If Whaley is back, the Hogs could be rotating three or four running backs. Rakeem Boyd has risen to the top of that group, Whaley has the experience while Chase Hayden and T.J. Hammonds add new dimension to the running game with their speed.

Against Alabama and LSU, the Rebels gave up 522 yards on the ground combined. Just for fun, the Crimson Tide and the Tigers combined for 598 yards through the air, too.

Ole Miss is giving up an average of 307 yards a game through the air and slightly over 195 yards on the ground.

Now, remember, among their six games this year, the Rebels have only played Alabama and LSU in the SEC while piling up offensive numbers against the likes of Louisiana-Monroe, Kent State and Southern Illinois.

What’s interesting is the amount of offense their defense has given up to those same teams.

The crystal clear statistic that jumps out is that Ole Miss’ defense gives up chunks of yardage in the air and on the ground. Now they have three key member of their secondary out for the season, so there’s inexperience back there, too.

The bottom line to this week’s game?

It’s pretty simple, actually. The Rebels have an offense that is very, very good at times. They also have a defense that is very, very bad at times.

It sets up a game where the first team’s offense that blinks may be in trouble.

So we’ll likely find out if the Hogs’ offense is ready to stay in the left lane with the hammer down.

Or stall again.

PHOTOS: Hogs’ offense practicing Wednesday

Andy Hodges
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Arkansas’ offense worked out Wednesday with attention being paid to the wide receivers getting off defenders with coach Chad Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock watching.

Photos by Andy Hodges | HitThatLine.com

Morris previews Saturday’s game with Ole Miss in LR

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas coach Chad Morris talked with the media before Wednesday’s practice as they continue preparations for the Rebels on Saturday in War Memorial Stadium.

???? Wednesday Halftime Pod — featuring Bill King

Tye Richardson
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Phil Elson and Tye Richardson talk about attacking the weaknesses of Ole Miss, Change My Mind, plus Bill King.

Coach Dave Van Horn joined Halftime to preview upcoming season

Tye Richardson
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Coach Dave Van Horn joined Halftime to preview upcoming season.

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