Call or text in
877-377-6963
PETE MORGAN: Looking back at some intriguing games across SEC
Week 3 of the 2024 SEC season was already set up as a lowkey weekend filled with less than stellar matchups. And everything went pretty much as expected … well, almost. While picking the teams that got the wins was fairly easy, how some of them got the W was pretty surprising. How a couple did not was also somewhat unexpected.
Let’s look at the big three impactful and/or surprising outcomes, and then we will rank the remaining games in order of importance on either a current situation or the season goals, including playoff implications.
Three Takeaway Games
(1) Georgia 13, Kentucky 12 — All I can say is “Wow”. Who had the Wildcats leading in the fourth quarter against the No. 1 Bulldogs on their 2024 SEC Bingo card? The effects of the final scoreboard on this game speak more against Georgia than it does for Kentucky.
The Bulldogs have been exposed as beatable, even by a team with a disappointing start to the season. Does this breathe new life into the SEC Championship contenders with Georgia still looming on their schedule? Three fun facts: Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck has only been on the field down in the fourth quarter once, and that was against Alabama in the 2023 SEC Championship Game.
Wildcat quarterback Brock Vandagriff is as tough as they come. And head Bulldog Kirby Smart humbly gave Kentucky mad props for how well they played instead of playing the “we played poorly” card so often exhibited by coaches these days. One last important thought from this game: there are whisperings coming out of Athens Beck has a shoulder injury. It is all internet speculation at this point as far as I can tell.
(16) LSU 36, South Carolina 33 — Depending upon what happens the rest of the season, this close game could — allow me to emphasize “could” — rear its head when selection day arrives. We still do not know how strong either team is, but we do know the Gamecocks are looking more impressive than expected by those outside the Palmetto State. They did handily beat a Kentucky team who took Georgia down to the wire. The verdict is still out on the Tigers as well. If both teams stay strong, and their opponents stays competitive, this game could be a factor in a playoff nomination. Granted, this entire thought process will most likely benefit LSU instead of South Carolina since the Tigers came out with the victory.
Texas A&M 33, Florida 20 — This one makes the Top 3 for the week not because of the outcome on the scoreboard. We all saw that coming. Another thing we have been expecting is for Florida coach Billy Napier’s seat to get warmer and warmer. The loss to the Aggies has made his seat hot enough to produce a solar flare. The Gator boosters are offering to buyout Napier’s contract, and word out of Gainesville is the clock is ticking for a decision to be made. Firing him sends a message, but no available hire will make Florida a contender this season.
Remaining SEC Results for Week 3
GAME OF THE WEEK
(24) Boston College 21, (6) Missouri 27 — Closer than expected, but still a viable notch for the Tigers to place in their notable wins column for the Playoff committee. It did reveal Missouri is not as strong as suspected. Still great, but not as strong.
Vanderbilt 32, Georgia State 36 — This is kind of what you deserve if you are an SEC school and you schedule a game on the road against a Sun Belt team.
Toledo 41, Mississippi State 17 — Losing Mike Leach aside, the Bulldogs have not played well since they switched their logo from the interlocking “MSU” to just the word “State.” This was an embarrassment for the program and even the conference to an extent.
UAB 27, Arkansas 37 — The word is Blazer wide receiver Brandon Buckhaulter is doing well and traveled home with his UAB teammates. Arkansas struggled early, but that was expected from playing a tough team out of Alabama.
Tulane 19, (15) Oklahoma 34 — This one was a little closer than expected, and it has some still pondering whether the Sooners are overrated heading into conference play.
UTSA 7, (2) Texas 56 — The only thing worth mentioning here is Longhorn quarterback Quinn Ewers went out with an abdominal strain, and Arch Manning showed he has better foot-speed than his famous uncles combined.
New Mexico 19, Auburn 45 — This one surprised no one, although it might have exposed some of the Tigers’ weaknesses.
(4) Alabama 42, Wisconsin 10 — This game was expected to be marquee when it was originally added to the schedule, but it turned out to be a cakewalk the Crimson Tide used to their advantage. A win over a traditional Big Ten Conference powerhouse will look good on a playoff resume.
(5) Ole Miss 40, Wake Forest 6 — This one went exactly as expected. Zero surprises.
Kent State 0, (7) Tennessee 71 — Given the Vols had 43-points early in the fourth quarter, they could have hung 100 on the Golden Flashes.
Hogs’ Dave Van Horn recapping fall baseball scrimmage
What newly-inducted member of the UA Hall of Honor thought about Sunday’s scrimmage, the fourth of fall ball.
Razorbacks’ coach Sam Pittman on hanging on for win over UAB
Battling through week with distractions and injuries, Pittman knows they’ve got to play better starting SEC games next week.
Solid offensive night from Hogs for Joshua Braun and Ja’Quinden Jackson
Despite not putting up the kind of numbers as the past two weeks, Razorbacks get good rushing game downing UAB.
Razorbacks linebacker Stephen Dix, defensive lineman Landon Jackson on win
Defensive players glad to get win, but not the overall play or letting distractions bother them with preparations.
Razorbacks run enough to finally subdue pesky Blazers, 37-27
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas is a favorite by over 20 points in this game and it has consistently moved up all week. Those types of games can be dangerous.
After dropping another one-score game last week to Oklahoma State in double overtime, the Razorbacks don’t need that for a week. Starting SEC play next week on the road at Auburn will probably provide plenty of those.
The weather is one the Chamber of Commerce talks about a lot with no rain in the forecast, temperatures in the low 80’s and just a few lazy clouds dotting the sky.
We’ll have the scoring and highlight plays here you can refresh and keep up with the game.
FIRST QUARTER
1Q 7:33: UAB takes the opening kickoff and keeps the ball for nearly half of the first quarter with a 15-play, 66-yard drive that ate up 7:27 and 66 yards of it on the ground before Jonah Delange kicked a 27-yard field goal. Blazers 3, Hogs 0
Ja’Quinden Jackson takes a handoff on the first play for the Razorbacks and rips off a 23-yard run, then disaster hits as Taylen Green throws an interception to UAB’s Michael Moore and Green had to use his speed to prevent a touchdown.
1Q 6:05: The Blazers take advantage of the turnover as Jacob Zenio throws a pass across the middle to Kam Shanks and he races in from 15 yards out. It may have been the quietest touchdown in stadium history as the UAB small traveling party couldn’t register on the noise meter. Blazers 10, Hogs 0
UAB coach Trent Dilver got greedy and tried an onsides kick that Monte Harrison returned 16 yards to the Hogs’ 28.
1Q 4:00: After Green appeared wildly erratic on some throws, Razorbacks settle for a 28-yard field goal from Kyle Ramsey to at least get some momentum going. Blazers 10, Hogs 3
SECOND QUARTER
2Q 14:51: On the first play of the second period, Zeno passes over the middle on a simple crossing route that Amare Thomas grabs and simply out-runs the Razorbacks’ secondary to the corner of the end zone from 34 yards out. Blazers 17, Hogs 3
2Q 9:17: Mainly on the strength of Green’s running, Razorbacks drive 75 yards in 12 plays and score on Braylen Hill’s 2-yard run into the middle of the line behind fullback Maddox Lassiter. Blazers 17, Hogs 10
2Q 4:48: On a six-play, 69-yard drive, Green hit Armstrong a couple of times and did most of the scrambling himself, including a 14-yarder into the end zone. Hogs 17, Blazers 17
2Q 1:53: Blazers grab lead just before halftime with a 23-yard field goal by Delange. Blazers 20, Hogs 17
2Q 1:03: Ramsey’s 51-yard field goal slips over the crossbar to tie the game again. Hogs 20, Blazers 20
START SECOND HALF
3Q 10:00: Razorbacks get strong start to second half coach Sam Pittman wanted with an 11-play, 84-yard drive finished by Jackson’s 16-yard run up the middle to finally grab the lead. Hogs 27, Blazers 20
A holding penalty and an emerging problem with pass protection in the offensive line kills a drive inside the 5-yard line and Ramsey ends up missing a 45-yarder that was wide by just a couple of feet, but Hogs hang onto lead.
FOURTH QUARTER
4Q 13:31: Razorback offense getting stronger while UAB appears to be showing signs of wearing out, which is not really surprising. Hogs move 66 yards in seven plays and settle for a 40-yard field goal by Ramsey to open a two-score lead. Hogs 30, Blazers 20
4Q 6:55: Blazers not throwing in the towel, yet. They answer Hogs’ score with a 12-play, 83-yard drive that Zeon throws another touchdown pass, this time completing a 21-yarder to Dallas Payne, who shook off Razorback defenders to get into the end zone. Hogs 30, Blazers 27
4Q 3:36: Green has a low snap that goes to his left and the big quarterback never hesitates and sprints into the end zone untouched and this one should put the game away. Hogs 37, Blazers 27
ANDY’S PICKS: Razorbacks can’t afford stumble against UAB
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — At first glance, no Arkansas fans are expcting much trouble for the Razorbacks to get a big win Saturday afternoon over UAB.
That’s up to the Hogs, though. There are plenty of examples through the first two weeks of the season to show they can really afford to have a Chad Morris-type slip-up in this game. The Blazers are 1-1 and coach Trent Dilfer is still figuring things out.
After a rollicking 70-0 win over UAPB in the opener, the Razorbacks’ offense rolled over Oklahoma State last week … and still managed to lose in double overtime, 39-31. It was a shocker to fans expecting to start winning some of these close games, which hasn’t happened regularly under Sam Pittman.
A big crowd is expected for the Razorback Stadium opener. The worst thing that could happen for Arkansas is this game have people squirming in their seats in the second half.
This is one that needs to be pretty settled by halftime. Offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino probably is fully planning on that. That should happen because even with the Hogs’ questions remaining in the offensive and defensive lines, it really shouldn’t be close.
Razorbacks 42, Blazers 13
Around the SEC, apparently I had a pretty good week last week, according to what Pete Morgan said. He did pick the Hogs to beat Oklahoma State, so that sorta jumped up and bit him. The rest of it, though, was pretty easy to see what was coming. It will just be a continuing slide for him through the season, which is kind of a fall tradition at HitThatLine.
(4) Alabama at Wisconsin – There was a time this would be an interesting matchup, but this ain’t it. The Crimson Tide are rolling with a new coach and the Badgers are, too, but in the opposite direction. Tide 31, Badgers 17
(16) LSU at South Carolina – This game could tell us a lot about both teams, but the Tigers aren’t getting a lot of respect these days while the Gamecocks are on a sugar high after big win over Kentucky. That will come crashing down this week. Tigers 28, Gamecocks 20
(24) Boston College at (6) Missouri – The Golden Eagles are one of the surprise teams in the country to this point, but they better be as good as billed going into this one. The Tigers are on a roll, but this could be a trap game for them. That shouldn’t happen, though. Tigers 31, Eagles 14
Texas A&M at Florida – If the Gators stink it up, Billy Napier might not be around by October, much less Halloween. However, the Aggies are struggling offensively and Connor Weigman is going to be a game time decision at quarterback. Hog fans need to watch this because they get A&M in a couple of weeks. Aggies 24, Gators 20
Tulane at (15) Oklahoma – This one might be a closer than expected at halftime, but look for the Sooners to break it open in the second half. Sooners 34, Green Wave 10
(5) Ole Miss at Wake Forest – The Rebels are just too good for the Demon Deacons in this one as get to the simple picks. Rebels 48, Deacons 6
UTSA at (2) Texas – Really, this game is actually on the schedule. Jeff Traylor hopefully gets a raise for this one. Longhorns 51, UTSA 6
Vanderbilt at Georgia State – This is unbelievable the Commodores are off to this kind of start, but at least their scheduling is letting them get some wins early and confidence. That continues. Commodores 45, Panthers 14
Toledo at Mississippi State – Razorback fans will remember the Rockets coming into Little Rock in 2015 and shocking Bret Bielema’s team and the Bulldogs have heard about it, too. Not this year, though. Bulldogs 52, Rockets 7
(1) Georgia at Kentucky – This one won’t even be close and I’m not wasting finger strength analyzing it because it won’t matter. Bulldogs 49, Wildcats 6
New Mexico at Auburn – If the Tigers lose this game, Hugh Freeze may not be the coach when the Hogs roll into The Plains next weekend. That shouldn’t be a problem after they lost to Cal last week. Tigers 48, Lobos 6
Kent State at (7) Tennessee – Pete has already called this one. Good grief we have to pick it. Vols 69, Golden Flashes 6
