PETE’S PICKS: Looking ahead to what could be a big year for Hogs

Football is about building character, developing a sense of teamwork, and creating lifelong bonds.

That is great rhetoric for recruiting, but from a fan’s perspective, we all know it is also about wins and losses.

After multiple years of seeing more of the latter, Arkansas’s faithful will gladly confirm the arrival of Sam Pittman as the Razorbacks’ coach proved wins are far more important than losses, and very few of us have ever walked away from a game stating, “Yeah, we got blown out, but that loss to Colorado State will really teach these young men how to be better leaders in their future business ventures.” 

Arkansas enters the 2022 season coming off a 9 – 4 season (capped with a win over Penn State in the Outback Bowl) in Pittman’s sophomore campaign in Fayetteville.

Now, with the taste of winning back in our mouths mixed with Pittman’s returning players and wonderful job of recruiting, expectations are high to compete for much bigger goals than finishing above .500 in the SEC.  

The 2022 schedule would like a word.

The new slate of opponents for Arkansas has our schedule once again ranked in the top three in the nation according to most football nerds and their computers. In fact, alongside the always tough SEC opponents we face on a yearly basis, our four non-conference foes consist of only one certified “cupcake”.

Our Week 1 opponent Cincinnati is not that baked good.

It should go without mentioning; however, if you spent 2021 focused more upon pronoun usage than football, you probably missed the Bearcats going 13 – 0 and being the first “Group of Five” team to make the College Football Playoffs.

Fortunately, two Cincy standouts, quarterback Desmond Ridder and running back Jerome Ford, are now both in the NFL, and they took some of their elite teammates with them. That said, do not rest easy when their former underclassmen teammates attempt to make their presence known in Fayetteville Saturday afternoon.   

Game (and Random) Thoughts:

We mentioned the amount of talent Cincy is losing (especially on the defensive side of the ball); however, to add more hope for an opening weekend victory, Arkansas is returning double-digit starters and a majority of the offensive line.

 KJ Jefferson can only possess more confidence coming into his Junior year with one full season as being the primary signal caller under his belt.

TRIVIA QUESTION: It’s been 30-years since Arkansas ran onto the field and lost their season opener 10 – 3 to one of college football’s elite. Can you name this powerhouse team who sent then head coach Jack Crowe to the back of unemployment line?

Rocket Sanders leads a very talented group of running backs this season, and with the threat of KJ’s arm, an interesting corps of wide receivers, and a veteran offensive line, our backfield may be set for big gains against a Cincinnati defense looking to find new leadership post-2021.

Hopefully Cincinnati is bringing just tea without the liquor, and if it tastes as bad as they brew it up north, then the Hogs might be able to win this easier than many predict.

Season openers are not always indicative of how the rest of the year will go. Remember, the Bearcats are a great team and under head coach Luke Fickell have developed themselves into a top-notch program. A loss for Arkansas is not a sign of despair any more than a win is going to indicate an appearance in the national championship.

I am nervous about the game this weekend. I am glad you asked.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Figured it out yet? It was juggernaut The Citadel who sent our once-hyped up “Ol’ Red” home with nothing to “Crowe” about. Rumor has it Chad Morris has a tattoo which states, “Hey, at Least I am not Jack Crowe!” 

My confidence has only grown in Pittman along with coordinators Kendal Briles and Barry Odom, their staffs, and all the players. Let us show up with a lot of passion, fire, and an earning to place our early mark on the landscape of college football thus increasing the build-up surrounding Arkansas football.

Get to Fayetteville Saturday and make Donald W Reynolds Stadium as loud as possible, fans. Cincy may not know what hit them. And remember, Calling the Hogs is not just a privilege, it is your duty.

Now for the moment where I channel the sports gurus who have gone on before us…

Arkansas, 34 – 24.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 2:30 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

Rumor had it after last season’s closer than normal HitThatLine.com Chase for the Cup, Andy Hodges and I would hang up our prophetic hats and enjoy a retirement from the elite accuracy of our weekly SEC picks.

Guess what?

That mongering was completely false. However, for clarity and for the sake of not lulling you, the faithful reader to sleep, I will keep the wording minimal. Also, stick around for a new addition to the weekly pick piece brought to you by the mind of gambling enigma Eric Soller. 

Vanderbilt over Hawaii (with or without the apostrophe) in Week 0, Tennessee defeating Ball State in Knoxville, and Missouri defeating Louisiana Tech were all completed by press time for me, so those I will omit.

Sam Houston at (6) Texas A&M: The Aggies have an early trip to the bakery. Aggies by 40.

(11) Oregon at (3) Georgia – GAME OF THE WEEK: The Bulldogs have to feel slighted by the No 3 preseason ranking, and Oregon always seems to come into each season overhyped. Georgia by 17.

(23) Cincinnati at (19) Arkansas: It feels good to mingle with all these Top 25 ranked teams, doesn’t it, Harry? Let’s plug in the jukebox and have it on stand-by, but the hope is we turn the damn thing on around 5:30. Arkansas by 10.

Troy at (21) Old Miss: I almost like Lane Kiffin again… maybe. Rebels by 30.

(7) Utah at Florida: I cannot believe I am about to do this. Gators by 11.

Miami of Ohio at (20) Kentucky: Off the field issues have led to a “wonder what is going to happen” situation at Kentucky. The blue still have no issues this weekend despite opening weekend blahs early. Wildcats by 21.

Mercer at Auburn: The Tigers had better win this game or head coach Bryan Harsin’s War Eagle will be looking more like 1992 Arkansas’s Jack Crowe. Tigers by 25.

Elon at Vanderbilt: Do the Commodores have the confidence to start the season 2 -0? Vandy by 20.

Utah State at (1) Alabama: Plan on finding a backup game to watch at 6:30. Tide by 37.

Memphis at Mississippi State: This is actually one of the most intriguing games of the day. Bulldogs by 18.

Georgia State at South Carolina: Shane Beamer is building something in Columbia. Gamecocks by 21.

Florida State at LSU: This would have been a huge match-up just a few seasons ago. Now? Not so much. LSU is looking to start a new chapter and a turnaround. Tigers by 7.

Now, get the edge of your seat warm because it is time to introduce our new section …

Soller Opposites 

Gambling for some people is simply stopping by your local casino, putting about $40 into a slot machine, and then leaving with a free fountain drink and some minor regret.

For sports betting expert Eric Soller, it is more of a craft and passioned honed with years of study, trial and error, and enough Mountain Dew Energy drinks to make Granny curse slow drivers in the passing lane.

Sink or swim, Soller is going to offer his thoughts on one high profile game per week. Your duty is to decide if you want to follow his guidance by choosing the same pick or follow his luck by picking the complete “Soller Opposite”.

Good luck, and a little disclaimer: We do not endorse nor reimburse for Mr. Soller’s picks. Proceed at your own risk.

(5) Notre Dame at (2) Ohio State – OSU returns Heisman favorite CJ Stroud who will be looking to make his early case to the voters but may need some feeling out time with his new receiving corps. They could choose to control the clock with their running game early and may settle for some first half field goals keeping the score low.  Saracen’s line opened with the Buckeyes a 17 point favorite but has fallen to -16, making it a 3-score affair.  Expect a low scoring first half, Stroud will find his rhythm with the new receivers, and Ohio State will pull ahead until a last-minute trash TD pulls the Irish back into the game. OHIO STATE 37, ND 21. If you can find it or buy it, take the Domers +17.

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

I would like to have a cupcake this weekend, but I would actually love some sopapilla cheesecake if anyone happens to be in the neighborhood Saturday.

Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!