What is Thanksgiving for your Top 100 sports writer without the traditional extension of appreciations?

First, I have to give thanks and praise to God for all He does for us. His grace is something I do not deserve.

To my wife and children, thank you for your support in all our endeavors, especially the late nights as we put so tireless hours and effort into bettering our future. I love you all so much!

Thank you to my Mom and Dad for trying to teach me to not make mistakes but forgiving me when I do. You have loved me when others would not and even when I did not deserve it. You both inspire me.

To Moms and Pops, thank you for sharing Stacy and your grandchildren with me, even though I am a loser at Baggo … and shuffleboard … and slapjacks … and chess … and … wait, why the heck do I keep playing games with you guys again?

To my entire family, thank you for putting up with me and my addiction to sports which often cuts our time together short.

Thank you to all my friends, whether you read this or not, I appreciate each of you. I would not have the nickname “dork” (yes, I hear what you call me behind closed doors) without you.

To Andy Hodges, my editor. Thank you for combing through these articles week-after-week, and for also all the tips, pointers, advice, and encouragement you give me when your time is already spread too thin.

Thank you, Tye Richardson, for being the best advertising guy in the business.

Thank you to Tommy Craft and everyone at HitThatLine.com for allowing me to do this. I love the Razorbacks and this helps me stay a little more connected than normal life would allow.

Oddly enough, I am thankful for the best shoe guy in the entire state. Andrew, thank you for your support. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding to Annalea! You really outkicked your coverage.

Now, to my readers, whether you read once and never returned, you read every week, or you just occasionally ponder through one at your leisure. I appreciate it far more than you know.

Oh, and a big “you’re welcome” to all the bookies who have been thanking me for my losing streak of SEC picks the second half of the season. I am glad you will have extra money for Christmas.

One last token of gratitude. To Eli Drinkwitz, thank you for packing your bags and heading up north. You and your constant arrogance have made what the SEC tried to force into a rivalry an actual heated competition. Also, I want to extend my appreciation for your Missouri Tigers dropping one at home this weekend to our beloved RAZORBACKS!!!

Hogs, 34-24.

Random Thoughts

If anyone ever creates a legitimate professional cornhole [Can I say that word on here, Tommy?] league, please let me know. I can be the back-up’s back-up’s back-up. I will not require a sign-on bonus, but my buyout will make Sam Pittman jealous.

The SEC keeps beating itself up, and top teams are knocking each other out of playoff contention.

TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1944, Arkansas and Missouri met in St. Louis for a neutral site season-opener. Who was the head coach for the Razorbacks as they prevailed 7-6?

My Mom called me earlier, and I did not answer. It was not that I did not want to answer, I just had my hands full. Mom, I will call you back before you read this. I love and appreciate you and Dad.

I am also interested in playing professional soccer if anyone ever starts a middle-aged obese league. I can provide my own crash cart if necessary.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Longtime Arkansas head basketball coach Glen Rose commanded the football team for two seasons in 1944 and 1945. The 7-6 victory over the Tigers was his first game at the helm for on the gridiron. Fun note: there is speculation the town Glen Rose, Arkansas (in Hot Springs County) is named after Coach Rose, but that, in my opinion, is very unlikely. I have been wrong on other topics, so who knows? Feel free to reach out if you have any information on this.

High school basketball in our state is in need of capable officials. Please reach out to Tommy Craft if you have any questions or desire to enrich your life and those of the players.

SEC Picks for Week 14

Just because I am thankful for Andy does not mean I will have mercy upon him as the picks come to a close. I think the smile on my face as I shine the HitThatLine.com traveling trophy will be my way of expressing my true appreciation of him. It is rivalry week after all.

Mississippi State at (14) Ole Miss – The Bulldogs are going to get scrambled in this year’s Egg Bowl, especially in an Oxford laden with ticked-off Rebels. Ole Miss by 27.

Georgia Tech at (7) Georgia – The Old-Fashioned Hate will not be so “Clean” when the Yellowjackets get swatted and splattered to smithereens. Bulldogs by 35.

Louisville at Kentucky – The Wildcats are lucky to even be nominated for the Governor’s Cup this year. Cardinals by 11.

GAME OF THE WEEK

(15) South Carolina at (12) Clemson – For about 128-years, these two teams have hated each other – not just been rivals – HATED. Oddly enough, you would think such a fierce vitriol would come up with a better name than the “Palmetto Bowl”. I would have settled for nothing less than the “Dirty, Can’t Stand Ya, Bowl,” “Screw Those Guys Bowl,” or even “We Hate Those Jacka …Tiger” [Sorry, I forgot Tommy sometimes reads this.] But, no, when asked, those in charge of the South Carolina sports world came up with something so ferocious and fear-inducing as “Palmetto.” Well done. Tigers by 7.

(8) Tennessee at Vanderbilt – This rivalry has no trophy nor name, but it does have deep roots. You might not be surprised to learn how much Vanderbilt dominated the early games in the series, but you might be unaware in the past 12-years, the series has gone only 7-5 in the Vols’ favor. They get to 8 this year. Tennesse by 14.

Arkansas at (21) Missouri – Eli Drinkwitz has drawn a line with his mouth, now he gets a battle he does not truly want. Hogs by 10.

Oklahoma at LSU – This is not an actual rivalry, but you can bet the SEC is trying to make it one. OU’s momentum ended when their upset over Alabama came to a conclusion. Tigers by 17.

Florida at Florida State – “Good Grief Game”: The Gators became bowl eligible when they upset Ole Miss last week. Now they are campaigning for a better game and, in doing so, will kick the Seminoles where the sun does not shine. And, hey, I had to give my 3-G Andy Hodges Tribute game to someone, didn’t I? Florida by 21.

(3) Texas at (20) Texas A&M – These two schools no longer have an official name for their rivalry, but their hate for each other was so bad each school disses the other in their respective fight songs. Crazy, huh? Only one team can be the lone star in this showdown, and a conference title is at stake, even though the scheduling has been gift-wrapped for Texas by the SEC. You can call it an upset if you like. Aggies by 14.

God Bless you all, and have a safe and fun holiday season. We’ll see you before the bowl game.

Go HOGS!!!