Saturdays were made for three things: family, football, and math.
What else would you rather do than wake up early on the first full day of the weekend and start cranking out a data set, right? I will be brief, but if you are reading this, you have probably already fallen into what I am calling the median range, or the heart of, the Arkansas fan base.
If you could rank all of us in our loyalty to the program no matter how the team is performing, throw out the top 20% of people who say they will cheer on the Hogs no matter what, toss the bottom 20% containing negative Arkansas fans who groan anytime we fall even one score behind, and what you have remaining is the pulse of the fanbase. Henceforth referred to as “The 60%.”
If you are in the top 20%, feel free to keep reading, we appreciate it and we are grateful for your loyalty. The people whom I will be addressing right now are those of you who are prime member of The 60%.
You have been faithful to an extent, and you also feel you have been loyal, perhaps even more so than deserved by Sam Pittman and our football program. You sat through a six-game losing streak while you watched the bottom 20% drop like your smartphone onto the floorboard at the start of a long drive.
Right now is where our mettle gets tested as Razorbacks fans. Admit it or not, you are wavering. The win over Florida in the Swamp last weekend was probably your catalyst, and, in reading this, you probably just realized if any of Arkansas’s next three games end in a loss, you will find that to be your bailing point. After all, we must win out to be (traditionally) bowl eligible, and a departure from having something for which to play hurts in two ways. Not only will The 60% fade away, but the attitude of the players will also diminish. The latter only makes things worse.
I am rambling, and Andy is waiting. Not to mention, he is probably also considering sending me some of these longer sentences to diagram. He is a good editor like that. So, without further delay, let us discuss Auburn coming into Fayetteville today.
Why Auburn will Win
Coaching. Hugh Freeze is in his first year at Auburn, and his ability to scheme against Arkansas is very impressive given what he did in Razorback Stadium last season as the head coach of Liberty.
They are well-balanced. Auburn does not really, in my opinion, shine in any certain aspect of the game. They just perform evenly in the first half, hoping to expose a weakness of their opponent by halftime to then attack in the second.
The proverbial chip. Auburn fans are not used to losing, and the current roster is probably trying to avoid that happening. Add to it, they have been listed as the underdogs for this game, and facing a team with only one SEC victory has got to feel a bit demeaning. No doubt they are taking a Deion Sanders “they doubt us” approach.
Why Arkansas will Win
The defense has not given up. Defensive coordinator Travis Williams has done some very impressive work, especially with the talent he has on his side of the ball. Auburn’s offense will feel smothered.
Payton Thorne. Why would I mention the Auburn quarterback as a factor in a win for us? Simple, he struggles on the road, especially in the SEC. So if you combine my previous point about our defense with his struggles as the signal caller, you have to feel this is advantage Arkansas.
Rejuvenation. Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson seemed to be relaxed and back to his old ways. Rocket Sanders seemed to be at full health in the backfield in his return at Florida. And interim offensive coordinator Kenny Guiton has thus far proven himself the man for the position. The offense was hot against the Gators, and the players all seem to have new life. He seems to have a scheme which works with the strengths of the offensive line.
In summary, now is the time to ask you directly, will you persevere, or will you fall away? I guess how Arkansas does today will be a determining factor. My thoughts? See you next week.
Arkansas, 31 – 17
Random Thoughts
We are glad to have you, Coach Guiton.
Twas the night before Auburn, and I was two Dos Equis in… Would that be Four Equis? I am terrible at Spanish multiplication.
TRIVIA QUESTION: Who released the song “Tiger Walk”, a popular rap number amongst Auburn fans?
I love kids, but am I the jerk because I get slightly irritated when they talk incessantly to puppies in a high-pitched squeal?
TRIVIA ANSWER: None other than Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams. “T-Will” is actually a very talented artist and having played at Auburn along with two coaching stints there, he has used some of his brilliance in writing more than one song for his alma mater. Hopefully he stays with us for a very, very, very long time, though. Are you listening, Hunter?
Teachers have the hardest job ever. Thank you for your dedication and patience.
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 3:00 P.M. via HitThatLine.com and on the air at ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs, and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
SEC Picks for Week 11
It is all SEC vs SEC again this weekend. To me, these are the most interesting weeks. Anyone can win any game, well, except maybe Vanderbilt. Hey, Commodores, if a one-win SEC team fan is making fun of you … But at least you’re smart.
Not as intelligent as the great Andy Hodges, or so he tells me, since he fancies himself among the greatest of scholars. “I am the modern-day Mark Twain of language and the Aristotle of sports,” he states. I am not so certain, Hodges, but you do have a cool hairstyle very similar to Bobby “The Brain” Heenan.
(8) Alabama at Kentucky – The Crimson Tide are playing for a spot in the playoffs. Kentucky is good, but they are not good enough to stop that motivation. Bama by 14.
Vanderbilt at South Carolina – I have been way too busy the past couple of weeks to check in on Beamer’s drama, but I am guessing he is a fixture in Columbia. Gamecocks by 17.
(13) Tennessee at (14) Missouri – Am I the only one unnerved by Tigers Head Coach, Eli Drinkwitz? Tennessee and its fans may soon be in company with me. However, I do not think Missouri matches up well with the Vols. Tennessee by 24.
Auburn at Arkansas – Tell my wife if she loves me, she will let me watch the game even though we have family visiting and thus could not make the trip to Fayetteville. What better way to reunion than watching a Hogs’ victory? Razorbacks by 14.
(9) Ole Miss at (2) Georgia – GAME OF THE WEEK: You KNOW, even though they may not say it Kirby Smart and Georgia HATE being demoted to number two in the rankings. That is motivation enough to drill the Rebels at home. Add Lane Kiffin’s arrogance to the mix, and the Bulldogs have locker room banter. Ole Miss is no slouch, though, and they are well-coached, so I will have to go to a third-party for my pick on this one. Ken Masters has called it, so you had better bank on it. Bulldogs by 14.
Florida at (19) LSU – The Gators are reeling, and they certainly want to hush their 20%. Tigers by 20.
Mississippi State at Texas A&M – Talk about two big disappointments. No, not you, MSU, but the Aggies team and Jimbo Fisher. Hey, JF, it is YEAR 6; however, the good news is, in a year, you are “gonna be rich!” Aggies by 10.
That’s it for this week. I do not want to ramble further. Hang on 60%, if we win against Auburn, the Battle Line Rivalry game against Missouri will actually feel like one.
Find me on ‘X’: @PeterMorganWPS
