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One Man’s Picks: Arkansas-Colorado State, picks

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Week One is behind us, and even though one might have an attitude of, “Well, it was just Eastern Illinois,” Razorback fans have seen a glimmer of hope.

And while the remainder of the full season may prove difficult to maintain the growing expectations, Saturday’s contest at Colorado State may assist our understanding of where this Arkansas football team can possibly finish.

In the game against EIU, the defense was aggressive and appeared to progress as the game went along, at least until the game was under control.

Unfortunately, Eastern Illinois exposed some weaknesses in the Razorbacks’ defense (in particular the secondary) which SEC teams will better fully exploit unless defensive coordinator John Chavis can find a way to fix the holes.

Five forced and recovered fumbles were shining points for the defense which seemed to have a nose and hunger for the ball, and the attempts to jar the ball loose from the opponent appear to be a mixture of talent as well as a coaching technique.

Calculate in that one of turnovers served as a defensive touchdown, then this unit has quickly built the footwork from which to build.

On the offensive side of the ball, the second and third drives looked stagnant. Enter Ty Storey, and then something magnificent happened.

Not to say Cole Kelley did not impress, however, Storey seemed to have great command of the offense. He checked down very well, looked agile on runs, and had an impressive stiff-arm. In summary, HE LOOKED COMFORTABLE.

Twitter seemed to follow suit on Storey as well:

The offense is never without opportunities of improvement, and the offensive line needs to afford the quarterback more time.

It also needs better run blocking to increase rushing yardage which will keep Colorado State from teeing off on the Arkansas quarterback … or quarterbacks. The blocking by the wide receiver corps may prove fruitful in this game away from Razorback Stadium.

Speaking of being on the road, the Hogs have had a dismal winning percentage on the road. All aspirations are that new head coach Chad Morris & Co. can end that trend which nags more on fans than the wife to a husband who wants her family to move back home from the plains.

Lastly, special teams will play a huge role in this game. Not only will field position be key (as it always is), but we will see if Conner Limpert can continue to kick it true.

While we want our place kicker to keep up his great technique, more to the middle of the uprights would do our diastolic and systolic good this game, Mr. Limpert.

In summary, the Rams prove a tougher test than did the EIU Panthers this past weekend. Granted, Colorado State is 0–2, yet they did compete with a decent team out of Hawaii back in late August.

Their second loss came to their in-state foes, the Colorado Buffaloes. Arkansas must focus on still being a season-long underdog and [forgive me for the cliché] take no one for granted.

I do not feel the Hogs will be complacent, and the entire team will capitalize on their momentum. Arkansas, 34–17.

In keeping with the spirit of our contest, and fully aware that Andy Hodges is no slouch (since he dominated me with his 12–1 to my 10–3 Week One picks), I will now uncork the rest of the SEC in its second week of contests.

Upon reflection, I should have been even more of a conference homer last week than I had originally thought.

  • (18) Mississippi State at Kansas State – MSU by 12
  • Nevada at Vanderbilt – Vandy by 3
  • Arkansas State at (1) Alabama – ASU… (Wait, I’m not that much of a homer) Alabama by 35
  • (3) Georgia at (24) South Carolina – Bulldogs by 24
  • Southern Illinois at Ole Miss – Rebels by 22
  • ETSU at Tennessee – Vols by 28
  • (2) Clemson at Texas A&M – Clemson by a close 14
  • SE Louisiana at (11) LSU – Tigers by 38
  • Wyoming at Missouri – Tigers by 10
  • Alabama State at (7) Auburn – War Eagles by 34
  • Arkansas at Colorado State – HOGS by 17
  • Kentucky at (25) Florida – Gators by 20

That’s it – no “Upset Alert” this week. Go HOGS!!!

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Friday

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John, Tommy and former Hog QB Tyler Wilson hit on the rushing attack, interview Raymond House, and play Pick’em Week 2 on Fenceman Friday.

Colorado State should be another easy win for Hogs

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Arkansas goes for a second win to start the Chad Morris Era on Saturday night in Colorado against Colorado State in a game that shouldn’t be one by halftime.

Again.

Last week, the Razorbacks didn’t exactly stumble out of the gate against FCS opponent Eastern Illinois, but they didn’t really break at full stride.

The guess here is that won’t happen this week. The Rams, coached by former Georgia quarterback Mike Bobo, have a secondary that gives up big plays in bunches so you wouldn’t think they would force the Hogs to throw.

That didn’t work well for Eastern Illinois last week.

If things hold true to form, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Colorado State start off by making Arkansas prove they can run the ball against a normal front.

To tell you the truth, I’d kinda like to see how that works myself. Last week’s game may or may not have created more questions than we had about the offensive line coming into the game. Because there often was everybody but the cheerleaders in the box it’s hard to tell.

Shoot, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Rams drop six or seven to stop the passing until the running game proves it can consistently get first downs. Then we’ll find out if offensive coordinator Joe Craddock has the patience to just run the ball until they show they can stop it.

My guess is they should be able to do that against this team, which isn’t very good.

The Hogs come into the game as a 14-point favorite, but I think that’s a little low. That line is probably based on a lack of money coming in on the Hogs because folks have the same questions I do.

This one is more than a two-touchdown game just based on the talent differential.

Arkansas 51, Colorado State 21

In other games around the SEC, there is only two conference matchups. We’ll go ahead and knock out Vanderbilt over Nevada, Ole Miss over Southern Illinois, Tennessee over East Tennessee State, LSU over Southeast Louisiana, Missouri over Wyoming and Auburn will likely beat Alabama State to a bloody pulp.

Our record last week was 12-1 and I didn’t count on LSU playing a team that was going to just lay down like Miami did.

-8 Mississippi State at Kansas State

We’ll have a better read on the Bulldogs and first-year coach Joe Moorhead after this game, which is usually the type game that trips up Mississippi State.

The Wildcats aren’t expected to be very good, but Bill Snyder hasn’t lasted as long as he has without pulling bigger upsets over higher-ranked teams than this.

I’m not ready to step up and pick K-State to pull an upset, but it’s going to be closer than the betting spread.

Mississippi State 28, Kansas State 24

-10 Georgia at South Carolina

We find out if the Gamecocks are for real in this game with Deebo Samuel at full strength.

They probably are better than what a lot of people think, but that doesn’t mean they’re ready to step up and knock off the Bulldogs.

South Carolina may keep it closer than folks think, but don’t look for them to pull out a straight-up win.

Georgia 31, South Carolina 28

Arkansas State at -36 Alabama

Okay Red Wolves’ fans, you don’t have to win this game to make a huge statement. Quite frankly, if ASU keeps it inside four touchdowns it’ll be a big time win, although you might be hard-pressed to get anybody in Jonesboro to agree.

The Crimson Tide could — and I’ll admit this is a ridiculously wild prediction to even discuss — be one of the best teams in modern-day football.

The worst thing in the world for ASU was Nick Saban getting ticked off in last week’s 51-14 beatdown of Louisville.

You can bet Alabama will be razor-sharp focused on this one and probably won’t let off the gas until the clock runs out.

Alabama 63, Arkansas State 7

Clemson -12 at Texas A&M

I actually had an Aggie send me a message this week they were going to pull the biggest upset of the season this week against Clemson.

Whether he was sober or not is not known beyond a shadow of doubt. But there is no doubt a large number of Aggies feel the same way.

And that’s part of why Jimbo Fisher is not going to ever be able to pull A&M to the level of an Alabama or, more to the point, even Clemson.

They sure won’t do it two weeks into his first season.

Clemson 42, Texas A&M 14

Kentucky at -13½ Florida

It’s been over 30 years since the Wildcats have beaten the Gators. I wasn’t even 30 years old and don’t even remember noticing the score, which actually says more about the state of Florida football than Kentucky.

In the following years, in fact, the Wildcats have lost by one score just six times and three of those have come in the last four seasons.

And, again, that says more about Florida football than Kentucky.

With Dan Mullen now directing the Gators they looked more organized offensively last week in their opener than they have in the last several years.

Florida 35, Kentucky 14

Arkansas Classic begins Friday at Barnhill Arena after road trips

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ volleyball team is back at Barnhill Arena this weekend after four-straight matches away from home.

The Razorbacks will welcome Buffalo, Butler and Northwestern to Fayetteville for the Arkansas Classic which begins Friday. Individual match tickets are $5 while UA students and fans 17 years and younger will receive free admission.

2018 Arkansas Classic

Friday, Sept. 7
5 p.m. – Northwestern (H) vs Buffalo
7 p.m. – Arkansas vs Butler

Saturday, Sept. 8
10 a.m. – Butler (H) vs Northwestern
12 p.m. – Arkansas vs Buffalo
5 p.m. – Buffalo (H) vs Butler
7 p.m. – Arkansas vs Northwestern

Against the Field

Of its three opponents during this weekend’s round robin at Barnhill Arena, Arkansas has only faced Butler but the two programs haven’t played since 1999.

The Razorbacks own a 3-1 lead in the series. Buffalo and Northwestern are two of four first-time opponents this season.

Last Time Out

Arkansas went 2-1 during last weekend’s Diet Coke Classic in Minneapolis. The Razorbacks collected wins over Georgia Southern and North Dakota State before falling to host and new No. 1 Minnesota.

Senior Showcase

Kelly O’Brien and Okiana Valle were named to the Diet Coke Classic All-Tournament Team. O’Brien tallied 3.20 kills per set and had a career-high 14 kills against Minnesota while Valle averaged 4.30 digs per set with 21 digs in a four-set win over North Dakota State.

Defensive Stand

In a straight-set win over Georgia Southern (Aug. 31), the Razorbacks held their opponent to a -.013 effiency which is the sixth-lowest mark since 2005. Through two weeks, Arkansas is holding opponents to a .148 figure which ranks second in the SEC.

Where They Rank

Junior Rachel Rippee enters the weekend fifth in the SEC at 10.68 assists per set while senior libero Okiana Valle also ranks fifth with 4.47 digs per set. Sophomore Hailey Dirrigl is averaging 3.88 kills per set which is eighth in the SEC.

Season tickets are still available with pricing options beginning at $40 and can be purchased through the Razorback Ticket Center by calling 800-982-HOGS (4647).

Following this weekend’s Arkansas Classic, the Razorbacks return to their home floor Sept. 23 to host Missouri.

CSU play-by-play broadcaster Brian Roth joined us in Hour 3

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Colorado State play-by-play broadcaster Brian Roth talks Mike Bobo’s health, the upcoming matchup with Arkansas and more!

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday

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John and Tommy talk Chad Morris as a great recruiter, past coaches in the SEC, interview Richard Davenport and more!

PHOTOS: Best pictures from Razorbacks’ on Wednesday

Here are some pictures from Arkansas’ workout Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the first road game of the season against Colorado State on Saturday night.
Photos by Andy Hodges | HitThatLine.com

Morris with final preview of Colorado State Wednesday

Razorbacks coach Chad Morris met with the media for the final time Wednesday before the team practices in preparation for Saturday’s matchup on the road with Colorado State.

ESPN Arkansas introduces new midday show, “Halftime”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT – Tommy Craft
Tommy.Craft@HitThatLine.com

ESPN ARKANSAS INTRODUCES NEW MIDDAY PROGRAM “HALFTIME” WITH     PHIL ELSON AND TYE RICHARDSON

Pearson Broadcasting Inc., owner and operator of three ESPN sports radio stations in Arkansas announces the beginning of “Halftime with Phil Elson and Tye Richardson”, a new midday sports talk program to air Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Halftime will focus on relevant sports topics of the day while spotlighting Arkansas Razorback athletics. The show will begin airing September 10 on all of ESPN Arkansas affiliates including KERX ESPN 95.3 FM in Ft. Smith – River Valley, KTTG ESPN 96.3 FM in Hot Springs and Southwest Arkansas and KBCN ESPN 104.3 FM in Harrison/Mountain Home.  The show will also be streamed live on www.hitthatline.com

Over the past 20 years, Elson has delivered over 3,000 live play-by-play baseball, basketball and football broadcasts. The native of Pittsburgh, PA moved to Little Rock in 2001 to broadcast for the Arkansas Travelers baseball club where he worked for 14 seasons. From 2005-2014 he also broadcast for the Little Rock Trojans women’s and men’s basketball teams.  He took over Arkansas Razorback baseball and women’s basketball radio play-by-play duties in 2014, and currently handles radio for Henderson State Reddies football.

“We are very excited to bring a broadcaster of Phil’s caliber on board to start this new program,” said ESPN Arkansas market manager Tommy Craft.  “Our listeners have gotten to know Phil on Razorback baseball broadcasts and have enjoyed his honesty, humor and overall on-air presence. I think they’ll enjoy him as a show host too.”

“I can’t wait to get this thing going,” said Elson, who twice been voted Arkansas Sportscaster of the Year (2009, 2017) by members of the National Sports Media Association. “This is a brand-new part of my career and I’m excited to join Tommy and his staff at ESPN Arkansas. I’m really looking forward to delivering an entertaining and informative program and getting to know our listeners in a way that play-by-play doesn’t allow.”

Richardson is currently producer and co-host for The Morning Rush and has worked his way through sports radio and media for four years, including a recent stint at Nashville Sports Radio WSNR. He has covered the Razorback athletic department at numerous outlets as a writer, on-air host and producer.  Tye is a 2017 graduate of the University of Arkansas and a native of Little Rock.

“Tye has already been a great recent addition to our morning program,” said Craft. “He’s energetic, opinionated and thought-provoking. I think he and Phil will form a really entertaining team in short time.”

–ESPN ARKANSAS–