PETE’S LOSERS: Can Hogs manage to get win in Oxford?

“Have you ever been to Oxford, Miss.? Have you ever been to The Grove? Are you going to the Arkansas game there this year?”

If your answer is yes to the first, you have my condolences. If your answer to the second is yes, you have my mutual appreciation for the experience. If you answer yes to the third, you have my prayers. (Editor’s Note: Pete obviously hasn’t spent much time there or on The Square downtown on a game night. We’ll address more on Oxford, Miss., and I lived there a number of years)

As much as I would like to say Arkansas can go into Mississippi under coach Sam Pittman and pull off an upset, I fear even risking the travel in this economy would create only more stress and disappointment. Speaking of travel, Ole Miss is all over the map this season, but they have managed to stay in the Top 25 and they are a better team than the Razorbacks… right now.

I suppose it is possible KJ Jefferson could create an offensive explosion against the tough Rebels defense. I could also prose there is a small percentage of a chance our defense could hamper the Ole Miss offense. And I guess I could come up with a few reasons why and how the Razorbacks could pull off the upset on national television.

I could surmise all these things and put them into print for you all to believe, but we both know you would pick those theories towards victory apart. “And Momma didn’t raise no fool.”

But she did foster a hopeful, optimistic Razorbacks fan who will get emotional with every win and furious with every loss. (She probably qualifies for sainthood because of that.)

Can we pull of the upset?

Why Ole Miss will Win

Last year. No doubt Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin and his crew remember the throttling they suffered at the hands of Arkansas in Fayetteville last season. It will be absolute motivation. They are much improved. The Rebels are far better than the team we hosted in Fayetteville last season. They are stronger, quicker, and more talented.

Oxford. The game is in Vaught Hemmingway, and the announcer there is as annoying as a wannabe sportswriter. If Ole Miss starts getting repetitive first downs, his voice will frustrate the Arkansas defense into submission. If you think this is a dumb take, go to the game yourself and you will soon know exactly of what I speak.

Why Arkansas will Win

A season teetering on destruction. The Razorbacks surely recognize if they do not win this game, they have all but eliminated themselves from any chance of winning the SEC West, not to mention playing in any desirable bowl game.

More losses ahead are highly possible. Going back to the previous point, the Hogs still have road games against Alabama and Florida. Need we even discuss no. 21 Missouri will be in Fayetteville for Thanksgiving.

Rocket Sanders. His knee is getting better and stronger. Hopefully, the hostile Oxford crowd will inspire him to play harder, faster, and more successful.

Ole Miss, 37 – 27

Advertisement

Random Thoughts

Some of you need to stay off the internet and, especially, social media. That is all I will say … for now. Enough with the confidence boosters. Arkansas needs a damn win.

TRIVIA QUESTION: In 1954, Arkansas defeated Ole Miss in War Memorial Stadium by a final of 6 – 0. The only score was a halfback pass from Buddy Bob Benson, 66-yards to Preston Carpenter. What was Arkansas head coach Bowden Wyatt’s name of the play?

I am leaving this up until it is no longer a truth: Pittman STILL has a lot to prove for himself and his coaching staff. Now I am slowly beginning to worry whether he can accomplish this.

Have you noticed how dreadful my “Why Arkansas will Win” section reads?

TRIVIA ANSWER: Hailing from Wyoming, Coach Wyatt named the play after a river which is a mile wide but only a foot deep. The play was dubbed the Powder River Pass.

Confession: I agree with Andy’s assessment from last week regarding orange sorbet. That will probably be the only thing upon which we ever agree. (No, we will agree on some other things, mostly the weather if you’ve looked outside before I comment.)

If you are traveling to Oxford, be safe, and I hope you do not witness the tail-whipping so many of us fear are in store for the Razorbacks.

Twenty dollars to anyone who can bring me Lane Kiffin’s visor. I am not kidding.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. via HitThatLine 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 6

A few SEC teams are saying bye to competition this weekend, much like Andy Hodges has been saying to his 2023 HitThatLine Cup lead. (LOL. He’s wondering if the sky is blue and the grass green in your world.)

God love Andy. Yes, he will say he does not worry, but the fact that he referred to me as “the print version of Tye Richardson” shows he recognizes talent, but he is also very, very scared. (Until there is evidence to the contrary, I hold my opinion. Of course, Tye is in Oxford right now and is 1-6 doing “Behind Enemy Lines” on ESPN Arkansas, so there is either hope the odds finally start to even out or the Hogs are doomed.)

(23) LSU at (21) Missouri – Let’s just be transparent for once: this game probably should have received my “GOTW” honors, but I cannot stand either team. LSU is a better program. Missouri is a better team right now, and they are at home. My instinct says to pick LSU, but my football senses are saying something different. Missouri by 3

Western Michigan at Mississippi State – It must be homecoming in Starkville. The Bulldogs find their way back into the win column. Mississippi State by 24.

Advertisement

(11) Alabama at Texas A&M – Remember, Nick Saban is not a big fan of Jimbo Fisher. Fisher is not a fan of Saban. I am not a fan of Aggies. All things now considered … Crimson Tide by 14.

Vanderbilt at Florida – Well, someone has to win this one, right? Florida seems to live up to expectations like “Seinfeld” did its series finale. At least Vandy is playing like Vandy again, even if Eli Drinkwitz spends too much time in their locker room. Gators by 24.

(20) Kentucky at (1) Georgia – GAME OF THE WEEK: The Bulldogs remain in the top spot of the polls but have been flirting with disaster all season. Kentucky has rolled into town and surprised some people, even though they have been a very much improving program under head coach Mark Stoops. Georgia is not the powerhouse they have been the past two seasons; however, they are on a 22-game winning streak at home. Over which opponent did Georgia start the current run in Athens? Kentucky. The Bulldogs downed the Wildcats 21 – 0 on October 19th, 2019. Can the Wildcats end the streak they helped begin? Unfortunately for BBN, no. Georgia by 18.

Arkansas at (16) Ole Miss – This should remain close, but some heartbreaking play will put Arkansas out of contention midway through the 4th. Rebels by 10.

Soller Opposites

Eric took the week off, but he wanted me to tell all you a sure thing. If the oddsmakers make an over/under on Andy running his mouth this week, take the over on anything 74-times or less. (How’s my count so far because I’m not about to do a word count.)

Thank you to my wife for supporting me through so many endeavors, even in this crazy time of year. Your love is far more appreciated than I can possibly show you.

Last year’s Ole Miss game in Fayetteville may have been the most fun I have ever had at a game. I loved it.

Find me on ‘X’: @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!