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How high did Hogs jump in AP poll after first SEC win?

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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How high did Hogs jump in AP poll after first SEC win?

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – After a big win over No. 23 Cincinnati last week followed by a convincing win over South Carolina, Arkansas has jumped into the Top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the second straight year.

The last time this happened was the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. Arkansas reached highs of No. 8 in 2010, No. 3 in 2011 and No. 8 in 2012. The Hogs would go on to finish No. 12 overall in 2010, No. 5 in 2011 and unranked in 2012 after the failed John L. Smith experiment.

Since Bobby Petrino was the last to officially pull off this feat, it’s only fitting that he roll into Fayetteville a week after Sam Pittman replicated his success.

Eight SEC teams make up the Top 25, including four in the Top 10.  Georgia takes over the No. 1 spot after the embarrassing showing by Alabama down in Austin.

Of course Bama being Bama, aided by a poor first half by Ohio St. against Arkansas St., only fell one spot to No. 2 in the poll.

Kentucky edges out Arkansas with a big win over Florida in The Swamp to claim No. 9, while the Razorbacks round out Top 10 SEC representation at No. 10.

One of the biggest jumps in the poll is from BYU. The Cougars knocked off No. 9 Baylor in Provo in overtime in the early Sunday morning hours and were rewarded with a No. 12 ranking. Anyone who had the energy to stick around until the end of that game is now keenly aware of how penalties could greatly affect the Razorbacks’ visit in ways previously only felt when visiting Alabama, Texas and occasionally Auburn.

Ole Miss crushed Central Arkansas, which was enough to hold off the Longhorns for a Top 20 spot. The pollsters, as they often do, rewarded Texas for its name and for once again losing by blasting them out of the “Others Receiving Votes” designation, all the way up to No. 21.

That’s right, a team that is 2-6 over its last eight games was rewarded fairly equally to Florida beating No. 7 Utah for a close loss at home.

Texas A&M narrowly avoided the Notre Dame treatment of being dumped from the Top 25 after Jimbo Fisher’s anemic offense continued its low productivity trend against an Appalachian St. team that should have two Power 5 wins under its belt.

The Aggies were pounded into submission by the Mountaineers’ running game into a free fall from No. 6 to No. 24.

AP Top 25 (Sept. 11, 2022)

1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio St.
4. Michigan
5. Clemson
6. Oklahoma
7. USC
8. Oklahoma St.
9. Kentucky
10. Arkansas
11. Michigan St.
12. BYU
13. Miami
14. Utah
15. Tennessee
16. North Carolina St.
17. Baylor
18. Florida
19. Wake Forest
20. Ole Miss
21. Texas
22. Penn St.
23. Pittsburgh
24. Texas A&M
25. Oregon

Hog Reaction: No. 16 Razorbacks beat South Carolina 44-30

Tye Richardson
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Hog Reaction: No. 16 Razorbacks beat South Carolina 44-30

Tye and Drew take your calls and text as they recap the Hogs win over South Carolina. Chuck Barrett joins the show as well.

Hogs’ Latavious Brini, Drew Sanders, Simeon Blair after downing Gamecocks

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs’ Latavious Brini, Drew Sanders, Simeon Blair after downing Gamecocks

What Arkansas’ defensive players thought after starting SEC play with a win Saturday that was harder to come by than first glance.

Hogs coach Sam Pittman after big win to open SEC play over South Carolina

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs coach Sam Pittman after big win to open SEC play over South Carolina

Says safety Jalen Catalon will miss remainder of season having to get shoulder “reconstructive” surgery.

Hogs’ Dalton Wagner, KJ Jefferson, Rocket Sanders after win over South Carolina

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs’ Dalton Wagner, KJ Jefferson, Rocket Sanders after win over South Carolina

How the key offensive players recapped starting SEC play Saturday afternoon with a win over Gamecocks.

LIVE BLOG: Hogs blow South Carolina away in fourth quarter

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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LIVE BLOG: Hogs blow South Carolina away in fourth quarter

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas poured it on South Carolina in the fourth quarter of a 44-30 win at Razorback Stadium.

It was the SEC opener for the Hogs and a wild final period.

Arkansas safety Jalen Catalon was not on the field with the other captains for the coin toss, which the Razorbacks won and defered to the second half.

First Quarter

1Q 6:42: Arkansas thinks it can just pound the ball down South Carolina’s throat and mix in the occasional passing play. Based on the Razorbacks’ first drive there may not be a whole the Gamecocks can do about it, either. The Hogs drive 63 yards in 13 plays, throwing just two passes for 25 yards to set up Raheim Sanders’ 1-yard run. Hogs 7, South Carolina 0

1Q 3:32: Gamecocks answer with Spencer Rattler missing a bomb down the field when he underthrew a wide open receiver, but then completed a 43-yarder to MarShaw Lloyd out of the backfield. The Hogs’ defense stiffened inside the 20, though, and SC settled for a 28-yard field goal Mitch Jeter. Hogs 7, South Carolina 3

The first period ends with the Hogs dinking and dunking their way down field, now mixing in some short passes with the running game. South Carolina’s defense doesn’t seem to have an urgent desire to stop either one and balances the pass defense with little rush and inability to cover.

Second Quarter

2Q 14:28: Raheim Sanders took a sweep wide to the right and no Gamecock defenders could get close as he jogs into the end zone from 11 yards out Hogs 14, South Carolina 3

2Q 8:13: After shutting down South Carolina, the Hogs offense gets a couple of big runs from Malik Hornsby on sweeps to start, then use 12 plays to drive 61 yards before a 1-yard run by Rashod Dubinion start to open things up a bit. Hogs 21, South Carolina 3

2Q 2:56: Gamecocks’ offense finally gets organized enough to put together an 11-play, 70-yard drive with running back MarShawn Lloyd getting the last seven with little resistance, but then miss the extra point and they still aren’t in double digits. Hogs 21, South Carolina 9

End Half: Arkansas couldn’t get anything else before half, but kicker Cam Little came close on a 50-yard field goal attempt and will get the ball first in the second half. If the Gamecocks can’t get anything going quickly in the second half this one will be over fairly quickly

Third Quarter

3Q 8:51: South Carolina has apparently come to life in the third quarter and have found something they want to try to exploit with Arkansas missing two starting safeties. Spencer Rattler completes a 62-yard scoring pass to Antwane Wells, who was wide open over the middle got one block and nobody touched him to the end zone. Shane Beamer decides to not chase lost points midway through the third quarter and kicks the point-after. Hogs 21, South Carolina 16

After not getting points on some big plays due to holding calls, Hogs driving on Gamecocks’ 1.

Fourth Quarter

4Q 14:55: KJ Jefferson sneaks across for the score on the first play of the final period and now it’s going to be up to the defense. Hogs 28, South Carolina 16

4Q 12:09: Jefferson gives the Hogs a big lead after the defense forces a fumble cornerback Hudson Clark recovered. He found Warren Thompson wide open in the end zone and hit him for a 23-yard scoring play and a big lead. Hogs 35, South Carolina 16

PETE’S PICKS: Of course it’s Hogs in a runaway

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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PETE’S PICKS: Of course it’s Hogs in a runaway

History repeats itself.

South Carolina used to be our constant cross-division SEC opponent, and there were times we handled them mightily, and there were others where I considered investing huge amounts in Lisinopril.

Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer is impressive, and he leads his team into 2022 and Donald W Reynolds Razorback Stadium with high expectations.

I like Beamer. I think it all began when I first saw his children run onto the field for a hug following a huge victory.

Arkansas looked as though it might have some defensive secondary flaws against Cincinnati last week, and, for many fans, it is a cause of concern.

Who can get this early conference game into the win column may be closer than we all appreciate. Get your prescription refills ready and let’s hope we do not come down to a necessary field goal block, right history?

Arkansas, 34 – 17.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11 a.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 2

Week 2 looks to be tough, riddled with good match-ups, and I know Andy Hodges is secretly wishing these games will spell my early season demise. 

(1) Alabama at Texas: There are some good games across the nation this weekend, but a lot of people are focusing their attention on this game. Perhaps many just want to see the Longhorns get drilled in Austin. Crimson Tide by 24.

South Carolina at (16) Arkansas: Shane Beamer and his motivational skills are comparable to Houston Nutt, right? Hogs by 17.

(23) Wake Forest at Vanderbilt: This will be a good measuring stick for a hopeful Commodore team and fan base. Demon Deacons by 18.

Missouri at Kansas State: No one really has a solid idea how good either of these teams are. Many can speculate. I am calling it a toss-up. Tigers by 10.

Appalachia State at (6) Texas A&M: The only thing going down at Kyle Field is A&M’s strength of schedule. Aggies by 38.

(24) Tennessee at (17) Pitt: Almost worthy of being “Game of the Week”, but I am still unsold how close this one will be. The Vols will find it tough to win on the road, and a critical call late will prevent that. Panthers by 7.

Samford at (2) Georgia: You will change the channel early. Bulldogs by 40… by half.

(20) Kentucky at (12) Florida – GAME OF THE WEEK: I am not sold on Florida, but they are at in the Swamp against a tough Wildcats team.Gators by 5.

Central Arkansas @ (22) Ole Miss: The Bears will get paid enough money this week to buy Lane Kiffin two years’ worth of sun visors. Rebels by 35.

San Jose State @ Auburn: The Tigers will show Chad Morris how a mediocre SEC does it against the Spartans. War Eagle by 28.

Southern @ LSU: The Tigers need to kick the memories of last week’s tough loss. Tigers by 30.

Mississippi State @ Arizona: I almost made this the Game of the Week simply because I feel it will be close… very close. Bulldogs by 2.

Soller Opposites

Rumor is some of you made big bucks betting with Eric’s gambling wisdom last week. Can you do it two weeks in a row? And the bigger question, will you take his advice, or shall you see it as a foreboding failure and pick against the expert?

Virginia @ Illinois -4 – Both Virginia and Illinois are coming in with unders and are licking their wounds failing to cover last week’s spreads. This week, against each other, both teams will make failed attempts to run the ball keeping the game a one possession, low scoring affair.  Pete’s mentor, Bret, will kneel on his six-point lead at the end, so I’m taking the Illinois Fighting Bielemi’  minus the 4 and under the total 58.  

Back to South Carolina at Arkansas; check in during the game for all the highlights updates from Saturday’s contest.

History does repeat itself, but not always. I am a Blessed man, and I have so many of you to thank, especially the greatest person I have ever met.

Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!

How to watch-listen to Hogs-Gamecocks on Saturday morning

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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How to watch-listen to Hogs-Gamecocks on Saturday morning

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After beating an unranked team in the season opener, Arkansas now jumps into SEC play.

And the league team isn’t ranked.

South Carolina, 1-0, comes in after not looking particularly great against Georgia State while the Razorbacks downed No. 23 Cincinnati, 31-24, and fed the rising expectations of fans.

The game will kick off at 11 a.m. and you can watch on ESPN and fuboTV.

Listen to the game online at HitThatLine.com or on the radio 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.

There will also be a live blog to follow along during the game with commentary plus analysis after the game here at HitThatLine.com.

Rocket Sanders (Michael Morrison / HitThatLine.com)

Razorback Notes

• This year marks the first time since 1995 that Arkansas face South Carolina in the month of September. This weekend’s matchup with the Gamecocks is the earliest the Hogs have opened SEC play at home since the 2012 season, when Arkansas hosted top-ranked Alabama on Sept. 15.

• QB KJ Jefferson once again displayed why he is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in college football in the Hogs’ season-opening win over Cincinnati. Jefferson completed 18-of-26 passes (69.2%) for 223 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 62 yards and a score, his fourth career game with at least one passing touchdown and at least one score on the ground. It was also his sixth career game with three or more passing touchdowns.

• RB Raheim ‘Rocket’ Sanders, who burst onto the scene as a true freshman last year, opened the 2022 season with a bang. The Rockledge, Fla., native logged his second career 100-yard rushing effort in the win over Cincinnati, running for 117 yards on 20 carries (5.8 avg) to finish as the Hogs’ leading rusher. Sanders was one of four Razorback ball carriers to rush for at least 500 yards in 2021 – a feat that had not been accomplished at Arkansas since 1975.

• TE Trey Knox delivered a career day in Arkansas’ season- opening win over Cincinnati, logging a team-leading six catches for a team-high 75 yards and a career-best two touchdowns. Knox, Arkansas’ most experienced returning pass catcher entering the 2022 campaign, has 61 receptions for 671 yards and six touchdowns in 34 career games. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native shifted to tight end last season after beginning his collegiate career at wide receiver.

• LB Bumper Pool turned in his 18th career double-digit tackle effort in the season opener, carding a team-high 13 tackles with one for loss. Pool, Arkansas’ leading tackler in 2021, has posted two consecutive seasons with 100+ total tackles and boasts the second-most tackles (333) among all FBS defenders since 2019. He has racked up 362 career tackles – good for eighth-most all-time at Arkansas.

Bumper Pool (Walt Beazley / Arkansas Communications)

GAME INFORMATION

Arkansas Razorbacks vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

Current Records: Arkansas (1-0, 0-0 SEC) vs. South Carolina (1-0, 0-0 SEC)

Date/Time: Saturday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m.

Where: Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, Ark.

TV/Streaming: ESPN (Bob Wischusen, Dan Orlovsky, Kris Budden), FuboTV (try it free)

Radio: Online at HitThatLine.com or on the radio 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.

Betting via SI SportsBook

Spread: Arkansas -8 (-118)

Over/Under: 53

Moneyline: South Carolina +240, Arkansas -333

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.

ANDY’S PICKS: Last week’s win means absolutely nothing now

Andy Hodges
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ANDY’S PICKS: Last week’s win means absolutely nothing now

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Last week was a nice win by Arkansas, but this week means more.

Winning a non-conference opener was the objective, but now the games start to mean something when the Razorbacks open SEC play against South Carolina on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Razorback Stadium.

You can watch the game on ESPN or listen online here or on ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs or 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.

League games just mean a little more.

Now the Hogs may have to win against a team that has a quarterback who probably won’t miss wide open receivers running free behind the Hogs’ secondary like Cincinnati did last week.

Spencer Rattler was the No. 1 player in the country coming out of high school and he won 15 games in a row for Oklahoma after a rough two games to start his career there.

Now he’s got a new life with the Gamecocks and he’s going against a Razorback secondary that might be missing a couple of safeties who started last week’s game.

There were internet rumors about Jalen Catalon being done for the season with a muscle tear in his back, but nobody that knows anything was confirming it Friday night and no sources are being cited.

We won’t know about Myles Slusher until everybody comes out of the tunnel.

This game may be a lot closer that a lot of Arkansas fans would like to see … or thought in August we’d see.

But if they can run the ball and get another big day from quarterback KJ Jefferson they should be able to out-duel Rattler and the Gamecocks.

Hogs 34, Gamecocks 31

After a thrilling week of competition with some fairly easy games, the HitThatLine competition may or may not heat up this week. There aren’t a lot of close games in front of the league, so we’ll wrap this up pretty quickly.

Alabama (-20.5) at Texas: If the Longhorns are back as many of the faithful proclaim way too often, they have a big window to make this one closer than it should be. Nobody is giving them a chance to win, but Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban is giving them the usual public credit. Alabama doesn’t cover, though. Alabama 42, Texas 28

Wake Forest (-13) at Vanderbilt: The Commodores’ two-game winning streak comes to an end. Some analysis here would be nice but I honestly haven’t paid any attention to either team, but until Vandy wins a league game I’m not picking them. Wake Forest 49, Vanderbilt 31

Missouri at Kansas State (-7): This was what I thought would be the first loss of the season for the SEC and then LSU couldn’t kick an extra point after the defense took a half off. The Wildcats have stayed consistently average (Kansas is worse) while the Tigers have managed to maintain mediocrity for awhile now. Kansas State 28, Missouri 21

Appalachian State at Texas A&M (-19): The Aggies will either suffer one of the biggest upsets in a decade or win this one fairly easily. Their big test comes next week against Miami. Texas A&M 38, Appalachian State 17

Tennessee (-6) at Pittsburgh: A lot of people got all excited after the Panthers won a big game last week, but it wasn’t against an SEC team with an offense that can break the scoreboard. Tennessee 45, Pittsburgh 31

Samford at Georgia (NL): Samford needed a paycheck for the athletic department and Georgia needed a practice game. Done deal. Georgia 63, Samford 7

Kentucky at Florida (-6): The Gators should always be good. Any time they aren’t in the top five in recruiting the recruiting coordinator should be fired because you can get that within a 200-mile radius of Gainesville. There may or may not be issues with the Wildcats, but Florida just might be pretty good. Florida 31, Kentucky 16

UCA at Ole Miss (NL): The Bears needed a check and the Rebels were happy to get a practice game to help decide their quarterback battle. Kind of like a game down in Georgia. Ole Miss 63, UCA 7

Halftime Pod Presented By Eastside Liquor- September 09, 2022

Tye Richardson
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Halftime Pod Presented By Eastside Liquor- September 09, 2022

Phil and Drew get you ready for all the great football this weekend, talk Hogs vs. Gamecocks, MLB and more.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Conference play opens tomorrow!

Tye Richardson
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Conference play opens tomorrow!

Tye, Tommy and Chuck on great South Carolina games, the NFL Week 1, and more!

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