PETE’S PICKS: How Razorbacks handle opening of new season

I wanted to chase the guy down. I really did. Those who know me well are aware I often travel for business, quite frequently out of state. It’s not uncommon for me to run into fellow Arkansans when I am away, whether it be in Missouri, Florida, New York, or even in Mexico.

In a hotel parking lot, six-and-a-half hours from home, it felt different this time. I first noticed the maroon truck with the Natural State tags backed up to the spot opposite of mine. Unlike the majority of vehicles surrounding the hotel, the truck was obviously not a rental of any sort, and the look of the truck had Johnson County written all over it.

When you are on the road a lot, you often cling to any reminders of home, much like an Arkansas fan grasps onto new hope in the final weeks of the football preseason. I felt as though I was mixing the two.

Anyone can tell you I am passionate about Arkansas sports, almost unrelenting in my ability to watch even the biggest blowout we may be suffering, overly optimistic at the beginning of each season, and eager to discuss football with anyone who will banter back-and-forth with me.

Finally, it happened. After a long day of meetings, I rolled into the parking lot and noticed the same truck parked in a spot it had frequented over the past few days. But this time, the passenger door was open, and I noticed a man leaning in to gather his belongings before heading inside. As I pulled into a nearby spot, I wondered if he would notice the red decals indication my passion for all things Arkansas.

As he stepped back to shut his door, I noticed his black cap, red bill, and a bright white Hog cutting its path across the crown of the hat. I must speak to this man I immediately thought. Even if not for more than a passing, “How ‘bout those Hogs?”

Surely with all the hope for the upcoming year created by the changes in the offseason would have this man’s fervor flying high as well. I had to speak to him, but as I grabbed my keys, wallet, and laptop bag out of the truck, the fellow fan had already shut his door and gained about a fifty-step advantage over me. Surely he is a die-hard and would love a short conversation. After all, it is the first game week, we are still undefeated, and he is, like me, on that upcoming game high, right?

Should I shout something across the parking lot? Should I run in an effort to catch up to him just to uncork a small saying for which he may not even reciprocate? Or should I just be a man instead of acting like a 90’s girl spotting her favorite boy band in the distance.

I chose the latter, but I did glance around the lobby as I entered to ensure he was nowhere to be found.

Our anticipation reaches its pinnacle this week as Arkansas hosts UAPB in War Memorial Stadium this Thursday. Sam Pittman should have the boys ready.

Arkansas, 44 – 10

Random Thoughts

I was mistaken in my last piece when I stated Arkansas has not played UAPB in football. How my mind is forgetting things so quickly as I age is incredible.

TRIVIA QUESTION: When did Arkansas and UAPB last face each other on the football field?  

For success this season, we will need more than a few gamechangers.

TRIVIA ANSWER: In 2021, the Razorbacks defeated the Golden Lions in Little Rock, 45 – 3.

Yes, I was tempted to leave a note declaring “Go HOGS” on his windshield.

Be certain to listen to the game Thursday at 7:30 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 1

There are sixteen SEC games this weekend, which is unprecedented. The majority are early season warm-ups hosting teams that will simply use the opening week as a pay day. But there are a few on the slate which will have national attention in gauging how traditional powerhouses will be able to take the first step to the CFB Playoffs. It is also the first time Oklahoma and Texas will be as full-fledged members of the dominant football conference.

I have not looked at Andy’s predictions for this week, but I am curious to see if he picks the opening week’s games based upon the obvious favorites, or if the guru sees a possible upset early in the SEC.

UAPB at Arkansas – It’s a shorter trip for UAPB to get to Little Rock than it is for the Razorbacks. It will be a longer trip home for the Golden Lions if they come into War Memorial with their hearts set on an upset. Arkansas by 34.

Murray State at (11) Missouri – Eli Drinkwitz looks to rebuild off his Tigers’ successful campaign in 2023. Missouri by 44.

Temple at (16) Oklahoma – The Sooners come in at a more suitable ranking than their traditional Top Ten which seems to curse them with an early season loss. Mad props to Oklahoma for the planned Toby Keith tributes by playing one of his songs after the 3^rd quarter at each home game this year. Sooners by 38.

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt – This may be a good game, but not good enough for Vandy. Hokies by 11.

(14) Clemson at (1) Georgia – GOTW Honorable Mention: If you walk up to a stranger in New York City and ask them, “Clemson vs Georgia?”, they will probably look at you with a confused expression. If you walk up to anyone not donning pink hair in the South, you can ask them, “Dabo or Kirby?” Most will immediately respond, “Kirby by 17.”

Chattanooga at (15) Tennessee – Pardon me, boy… This game will be over by verse two. Tennessee by 42.

Colorado State at (4) Texas – Hey, since Texas is now in the SEC, if they make it to the CFP Championship, will you root for them? I bet the Rams are thinking about their last victory over an SEC team. No fake punt will save them this time. Longhorns by 32.

(19) Miami at Florida – It sure is funny how time changes things. Two traditional powerhouses have both had their highs and lows as of late. The Hurricanes are currently on a high. Miami by 10.

Old Dominion at South Carolina – The Gamecocks will get the Beamer Ball rolling with a $1.5-million paycheck for the Monarchs. Crimson Tide by 14.

EKU at Mississippi State – The Bulldogs have invited the Colonels into Starkville for new head coach Jeff Lebby’s first game. Can he turn around a struggling, low-scoring Mississippi State program? We will see him win Step One Saturday. Bulldogs by 28.

WKU at (5) Alabama – Four years ago, if I had asked you who Kalen DeBoer is, could you have correctly answered? Me neither. Would you have guessed his salary would soon be $10-million a year replacing Nick Saban at Alabama? His quick rise has been impressive, but it also seems to have made the guy look like a quickly aging 49-year-old, but when you make more in one week than I paid for my house, who cares? Crimson Tide by 40.

Furman at (6) Ole Miss – I occasionally enjoy taking a jab at Lane Kiffin; however, with the recent passing of his father, I will simply point out he has tremendous coaching skills, and Furman had better be asking more than his assistants make as a payout for this game. Rebels by 44.

Alabama A&M at Auburn – No problems for Hugh Freeze. Tigers by 35.

(7) Notre Dame at (20) Texas A&M – I am not sold that the Aggies are a Top 25 team, and that is why this is not the GOTW. Maybe I am wrong, but I just would not put that much stock this soon in Mike Elko as he rebuilds Jimbo’s mess. Playing this at Kyle Field may keep this close, not to mention Notre Dame seems to frequently enter a new season overrated as well. I am torn. Fighting Irish by 10.

Southern Miss at Kentucky – This could end up being a fun game to watch, at least through three quarters. Wildcats by 14.

(23) Southern California at (13) LSU – GAME OF THE WEEK: The GOTW honors originally went to Clemson at Georgia, but after more thought, this one seems to be the more exciting matchup. LSU most likely learned their lesson about poor decision making in last year’s season opening loss to Florida State. This one will be a night game, but it will be in a neutral site, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas instead of Baton Rouge. Can you imagine Death Valley on a Sunday before Labor Day? You could bet there would have been plenty of “juiced up” Tigers fan to help with the homefield advantage. This one will be closer than most Tigers fans will find comfortable. LSU by 4.

And that is your opening week, folks. A new season awaits. Keep hope alive, and enjoy the season.

Here is to a Razorbacks victory and a home fire burning.