PETE’S PICKS: Lack of geography knowledge making picks this week

I never really paid attention in Geography class. I found it mostly uninteresting and mundane in a junior high world surrounded by sports, girls, and Detroit Pistons haters. I am certain Mr. Turner tried his best to instill some knowledge in my head with which he thought I might be able to carry forward in my life.

I did just enough to get by to keep an ‘A’ in the class, as was evidenced when I must have appeared to be on the edge of a nap when “Old Man Turner” asked me, “Pete, what’s the capital of Iran?” I had no clue, and, at the time, I did not possess the wisdom to simply reply with, “Sorry, I was not paying attention. I do not know.”

No, the response of the person whose words you are reading at this very moment came back with more 8th grade immaturity than saying LeBron James is better than Michael Jordan. And, from Mr. Turner’s perspective, my response of “I Walked” did not land anywhere close to within the level of humor I had hoped.

So, it comes to no surprise when Arkansas left the Southwest Conference in 1990, my last thought on the matter was “distance”. Later, once brought to my attention, someone pointed out how far the SEC schools are compared to Texas. Oddly enough, I bit right into that thought process, completely unaware the majority of Texas schools were plenty far in their own right.

Where is this leading? Well, I never thought much about conference alignments. I was more focused on watching with my hands clenched in hope Arkansas would wipe the smirk off Tom Penders’ face. During the late fall I often paced the living room of my brother’s house, with the television up loud and deer jerky on the table. I only longed for the Hogs to hold on at the end to beat Texas A&M or SMU and earn a spot in the Cotton Bowl.

It was years later when a good friend of mine named Jose and I (were driving his SAAB well over the speed limit to call some high school basketball games at the Oklahoma State campus) realized just how close we are to Stillwater. This prompted me to researching other top schools well within short driving range of Fayetteville, yet we never schedule them for a non-conference game.

Sure, we will grab Tulsa every so often, but what about Kansas State? Kansas? Heck, even those “crimson and cream” wearing Sooners of Oklahoma? I am not old enough to be aware of any past conventions as to why these schools are never on our slate, nor do I have the energy. If I did, this piece would have a different theme, and there is no telling what other nonsense I may have driveled up to impress the internet faithful.

Regardless, we go to Boone Pickens Saturday, and I am not certain if anyone outside of the state of Arkansas thinks the Hogs can win, but inside these friendly borders, we damn sure better believe.

Arkansas 30 – 28

Random Thoughts

Arkansas joined the SEC in 1990. It did not play its first game until 1992.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Arkansas last played Oklahoma State in 1980. Until that point, the two teams met almost yearly with Arkansas holding a 30-15-1 series advantage. Why was this series no longer scheduled?

I like Mike Gundy, probably even more than Sam Pittman does.

On Sunday, I told a family member I thought Arkansas would get one vote in the AP poll. I also thought UNLV would get two. The Hogs ended up receiving two and the Rebels a single. If you are wondering, yes, I am staying humble.

Before this season, the average SEC distance from Fayetteville is 493-miles. According to mine and Google’s calculations, in the SWC, it was 501-miles.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Per interviews with various people involved in the games, Arkansas was the far more prevalent team, and Oklahoma State needed money to help their program survive; therefore, the game was basically played each year in Little Rock as a financial gain for the Cowboys. Once OSU had the finances and the success they needed to ask for a home-and-home series, Frank Broyles no longer saw the benefit in playing them yearly. On a friendly note, it has been stated the athletic department at OSU has historically been appreciative for all Arkansas has done for them. I am unaware if this current administration feels this way or if they are even aware. If so, a road win against a tough opponent would be a nice way to say thank you.

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I know a guy (who bleeds orange and black) named Noble who will probably say this game is not a big deal to him, but I bet my last dime it holds some significance.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11:00 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

There are fifteen SEC games this weekend with means (for all you math majors out there), either someone has a bye or two teams have our first conference match-up of the season in 2024. In case you are wondering, it is the latter.

Like Week 1, there are some are early season contests featuring an SEC school versus a much smaller school using the game to fund new shoulder pads and upgrades to their field house.

However, similar to last week, we have a few high-caliber games, two of which both feature two ranked teams, and another which has a rival conference contender hosting an SEC school. The latter showed last week it is much improved and could make some noise throughout the season.

When you read Andy’s picks from last week, you may have noticed he stated no one in our now eight-year little competition takes “meticulous records”, and I, like Michael Jordan, took that personal. I have created a formula-laden tracking spreadsheet for 2024, Andy. In other words, you had better load up on some Adderall and pay attention.

Arkansas at (16) Oklahoma State: This one is truly anyone’s guess. It will be physical, and OSU most likely feels a win over an SEC team is a statement made to their former conference opponents, Oklahoma and Texas. That is all subjective on my part. The Razorbacks can win this, but they must play their game at their pace. I am just not yet able to determine what that pace is. Hogs by 2.

(3) Texas at (10) Michigan – GAME OF THE WEEK: I switched over from the Nebraska game for just a few minutes to see Arch Manning enter the Longhorns’ blowout over Colorado State. He looked impressive. But Quinn Ewers is the better option for Texas as they face the defending National Champions in Ann Arbor Saturday, and his “Team Up North” comment may be taken a bit more dramatic than intended by the Wolverines.

And, no, that’s not a thought that Michigan will have their headhunters on the prowl this weekend; however, it may be used as a source of disrespect and motivation. Furthermore, I have not seen Michigan’s game from Week 1, but it appears as though they did not look as sharp as they did last year in Saturday’s 30 – 10 victory. If I could, I would call this one a push, but I opted to phone a friend. Wolverines by 3.

McNeese State at Texas A&M: The only fun Rowdy will have when he visits College Station will be seeing the tears from all the Aggies fans weeping over last week’s loss to Notre Dame. That is not an insult to A&M, they should have beat the Fighting Irish. Fate had other ideas, though, and some bad decisions late cost the Aggies their first step towards the playoffs. As a fan of the SEC, it was tough seeing a conference ally go down to a quarterback who looks like he spent most of his youth causing big trouble for Opie and the Beaver. The Cowboys will feel some wrath this weekend as they collect their paycheck. Texas A&M by 30.

Tennessee Tech at (1) Georgia: Dabo Swinney could sign on this week to be head coach of the Golden Eagles, and they still would not be able to come within 31-points of beating the Bulldogs. Georgia by 57.

South Carolina at Kentucky: The first conference match-up of the season. Both teams have high expectations over the past few seasons. The Wildcats have been more successful, plus they host in Lexington. Kentucky by 10.

California at Auburn: I watched this game last year, and, if memory serves, it was a 14 – 10 slugfest. And by “slugfest”, I mean I was holding onto a Mountain Dew just to stay awake. The Bears were about as good as they are going to be every year last time, while Hugh Freeze will have the Tigers much improved for the enjoyment of the people on the plains. Auburn by 17.

Middle Tennessee at (6) Ole Miss: Honestly, it is hard to produce even the slightest remark on how this game will go down. Speaking of, the Blue Raiders will go down both on the scoreboard and to the bank. Rebels by 38.

Buffalo at (9) Missouri: The Tigers could see a bump in the rankings if they look solid against the Bulls, other Top Ten teams play poorly against lesser competition, and No. 3 Texas loses to No. 10 Michigan. That said, if the Wolverines knock off the Longhorns, Michigan could leapfrog Missouri. Motivation for Eli’s crew perhaps? Doubtful, but the Tigers still win easily. Missouri by 40.

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Samford at Florida: Billy Napier may not have a job come Monday if the Gators to not have this one locked up by halftime. The Bulldogs will roll over and play dead, though. Florida by 35.

South Florida at (4) Alabama: The Crimson Tide did not seem to miss a beat last week. They will keep campaigning for a playoff spot against a misfortunate Bulls team. Bama by 40.

Alcorn State at Vanderbilt: “Good grief” is right, Hodges. The Commodores will start the season 2 – 0 again this year. Vandy by 24.

Nicholls State at (18) LSU: The Tigers will win this one pretty easily this weekend, but it will not be because Brian Kelly had a temper tantrum. It will be due to his team hosting a team with “Colonels” as their mascot. That’s two in two weeks for an SEC school. LSU by 45.

(24) NC State at (14) Tennessee: The Vols made light work of their in-state friends from Chattanooga last week. This Saturday brings a more potent foe as the Wolfpack make their way into Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte to face a team hoping to get an early line on a playoff berth. The probability on this game is about 73% Tennessee, but I feel it may be a little less than that, possibly as low as 68%. Splitting hairs? Maybe. The Vols will get the ‘W’ no matter the odds. Tennessee by 18.

Houston at (15) Oklahoma: Houston, you have a problem. You lost handily to our good friends from UNLV in your house last week, and you face an OU team who feels slighted by the polls. I feel their ranking is too generous, but my subjective thoughts cannot help you. Sooners by 28.

Mississippi State at Arizona State: The level of competition in this game makes it one of the most intriguing. The Bulldogs by 4.

Week 2 picks are locked. Grab your betting slips if you dare.

I was actually going to pick OSU over Arkansas, but I got pumped up as I typed the last paragraph regarding the game, and I rode that red wave to a two-point victory. Drive safely to Stillwater or anywhere the weekend game watching takes you, my friends. And if I am wrong about the above-mentioned geography, I will not blame Old Man Turner. I should have paid better attention to him.

Go HOGS!!!