PETE’S PICKS: Does anybody think Hogs will be challenged?

Senior Day at Razorback Stadium is upon us, and an initial thought was to highlight and thank each player concluding their collegiate career today.

I soon realized it was a daunting task created with a mix of three factors: NIL, the transfer portal, and the “super senior” year provided by COVID-19.

Therefore, a blanket and heartfelt thank you go out to each and every senior who have donned the Cardinal and White for the University of Arkansas, the program, the state, the staff, and for us as fans.

Guys like Eric Gregory, Landon Jackson, Isaac TeSlaa and Hudson Clark gave up other opportunities to leave (including Jackson to the NFL) and chose to stay through the highs and the lows in recent Arkansas football.

You also have guys like Andrew Armstrong who transferred here but stayed even when our program had the horrendous 2023 season.

Mad props to Doneiko Slaughter who opted to come here for his final season even though the current situation looked abysmal.

Also, and I am not campaigning here, but there are a multitude of players like Josh Braun and Taylen Green (a junior) who could return for another season. Let’s hope they and the others do.

I truly wish I could run through every scenario for each senior here; however, in full transparency, I had a super busy week and was unable to do enough full research to present only facts without injecting hearsay and speculation. Some people should also apply that to their political discussions. All jokes aside, I hope to put together a better showing of gratitude after the season reaches its conclusion.

Aside from that, Arkansas has one last home game for 2024 as it hosts Louisiana Tech, with both teams aspiring to become bowl eligible. With five wins on the season, the Razorbacks need one to secure while the Bulldogs need four.

Arkansas gets their “one” today.

Hogs by 34

Random Thoughts

As we age, our priorities change. And with the countless number of Arkansas games I have attended and encouraged others to attend, I will not be in Fayetteville for the game today. I will instead watch the game on my phone simultaneously while watching one of my Daughters play in a basketball tournament championship. To Kinley and her teammates: Play as a Team, and go win this thing!

I feel disheartened this football season, but why? Any takers?

TRIVIA QUESTION: Many consider playing Louisiana Tech a cupcake game. Without looking, what is the average margin of victory for the Razorbacks over the Bulldogs?

I hear Houston Nutt is a free agent.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Arkansas has a 4-0 record against Louisiana Tech, but the average margin of victory is only 9-points. The last two meetings, in 1997 and 2016, were only 4-point and 1-point victories, respectively. Tech wins a lot of conference championships. They are rarely a slouch.

Hunter Yurachek receives an unnecessary amount of hate on social media. This guy dealt the cards he was handed, and he made the most out of what he could with the football program. But you keyboard warriors calling for him to leave have blinders on when it comes to what happened behind the scenes ALONG WITH the countless other great things he has done for the athletics program at the University of Arkansas. Not to mention, he has been a fantastic ambassador of the state.

SEC Picks for Week 13

Did Andy really talk to smack to me again this past week? I mean, I understand telegrams were the fastest forms of communication when he was going to college, but sending one to my house to criticize my obviously bad pick of the Hogs upsetting the Longhorns last weekend was mildly amusing. On to Week 13, and you can tell which SEC teams are hosting their Senior Day.

(9) Ole Miss at Florida – This game has the potential to be an upset. Florida fans have been on a rollercoaster ride all season. From the beginning of the season when expectations were high, to multiple lopsided losses, to buyout funding being searched for Billy Napier, to upsetting LSU to stay in the hunt for postseason play. The picks count is safely in hand. I’m calling the UPSET! Gators by 7.

Massachusetts at (10) Georgia – Kirby Smart and Steve Sarkee… Sarkae… Sark… Uh, Texas’s head coach should just get into the MMA ring and settle their beef. Georgia has a “game” today first. Bulldogs by 35.

UTEP at (11) Tennessee – They will always be UTEP to me. Much love to Nolan Richardson, but his former school is in trouble today. Vols by 31.

Kentucky at (3) Texas – The Wildcats keep this one close until midway through the third. Longhorns by 28.

Wofford at (18) South Carolina – “Good Grief Game”: USC will win handily, but it will not improve their ranking. It may actually drop them if they do not win by at least 40. Gamecocks by 37.

(23) Missouri at Mississippi State – At least Mississippi State can relax knowing win or lose, there is no anxiety nor suspense on where you will spend the postseason. Missouri is too powerful for even a pumped up State team to pull an upset, even in Starkville. Tigers by 27.

GAME OF THE WEEK

(15) Texas A&M at Auburn – I’m not certain this should be the GOTW, especially with my predicting an upset for Ole Miss, but this one is the most intriguing. It also has the potential for a blowout. Aggies by 14.

(7) Alabama at Oklahoma – This looked fun when the season started. It is not looking so promising for OU in their inaugural SEC season. Bama by 10.

Vanderbilt at LSU – Another contender for GOTW, and the final score will show why. Tigers by 7.

For you high school fans: Great season, Tigers! Get ready for next year with a large amount of returning players.

Go HOGS!!!