PETE’S PICKS: Pittman dealing with lost of issues this week

In everyone’s life, a little rain must fall.

Clichés are what separate us from the animals, correct? I had an English teacher in high school, Mrs. Mahl, who made it abundantly clear a good writer avoids these lazy forms or writing like a football fan sidesteps an invitation to a Saturday baby shower.

However, we have had a bit of a rainy spell the past two weeks in Razorbacks Football.  A loss to an inferior Texas A&M team, a disappointing home performance against Alabama, and now the worry regarding the health of KJ Jefferson given he is even permitted to step on the field in Starkville this weekend.

Arkansas coach Sam Pittman is handling multiple situations about as well as anyone could. He has his QB1 under full observation following a concussion protocol. He has an untested back-up quarterback (hopefully) at the ready for Saturday’s game.

Add to both of those issues, Malik Hornsby has been in the middle of what seemed like a knee-jerk social media reaction to being left on the bench in favor of non-scholarship signal caller Cade Fortin.

For clarity, Malik, whom I like, has since said the removal of Razorback references on his Instagram account was a false story.

Now the question is this, can Arkansas right the inner-pirate ship this weekend and avoid a three-game losing streak in the SEC?

I am not much on discussing strategy nor what gameplan will be successful, but I will say it will take a huge momentum shift in our favor to win on the road against the No 23 Bulldogs.

It also bears no mention many have heard of the obnoxious Mississippi State media personality three weeks ago predicting Arkansas will lose four straight starting with Alabama and ending with BYU.

This of course includes us losing to his “mighty” Bulldogs in this projected streak.

You desire a link to this idiot? I will pass. He is not worth our attention. We just need to handle business even is just to spite this candy@$$.

Back to the rain and more being added to Pittman’s plate.

Some of us a Hogs fans need a lesson on when to be happy things are good and when to apply a filter when a couple of things do not go our way. Some of you have called out not only Pittman but the other members of the coaching staff as well.

Why? Are you not able to recall our recent lack of success under the latter Bret Bielema years chased by the Jeff Long spectacle that was Chad Morris?

Chill out. Give the team and the staff a break. None of them are running down to the Long John Silvers to tell you how to do your job.

You radical fans are the worst and the ones that seem to be the most referenced representative of our fan base. Unfortunately to the rest of us, you have become the cliché.

Get in out of the rain and get back on the bandwagon. We escape Starkville and end the losing skid.

Arkansas, 24 – 21.

Random Thoughts

Mississippi State is hard not to like as they seem to almost parallel us in so many facets.  

TRIVIA QUESTION: Arkansas first played Mississippi State in 1916 and then next in 1939. In what city where these games played?

Remember when so many of us wanted Mike Leach to be our head coach? Do you still feel the same?

I am not perfect. I do and say a lot of things I regret. This column is no different. Yet, right or wrong, I always work from the heart.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Memphis, Tennessee. Yes, that was the most interesting trivia question I could muster.

Inner-pirates are always overrated.   

I always need my one and only Mountain Dew to get me through the day.

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 6

I remember thinking football season would never get here, yet now it seems like it is flying by as we near the halfway mark. The Chase for the HitThatLine Cup heats up this week, and I feel Andy is showing me just a touch of mercy.

(8) Tennessee at (25) LSU: This almost got GOTW honors since it features two ranked teams. I just do not see it being that great competitively speaking. Vols by 10.

Arkansas at (23) Mississippi State – GAME OF THE WEEK: GOTW honors only because this game will be the most interesting. All is well that ends well. Hogs by 3.

Missouri at Florida: This should be… boring but only based upon the quality of play. Gators by 7.

Auburn at (2) Georgia: Does Bryan Harsin have a job after this week? Dogs by 34.

(9) Ole Miss at Vanderbilt: You’ve got this Commodores!!! Okay, no you don’t.  Ole Miss by 22.

South Carolina at (13) Kentucky: This will be closer than expected until late in the second half. Wildcats by 18.

Texas A&M at (1) Alabama: Hey, at least we helped Bama be ranked No. 1 again. Tide by 17.

Soller Opposites

Eric is still on fire with his gambling expertise. Should you continue to ride the wave or bet against his hot streak? All good things must come to an end, right?

Washington State + 12 1/2 @ USC.

USC finds itself looking ahead to Utah and has depended upon quick turnovers to inflate its scoring average. Washington State has a pass heavy offense, but it will use a reliable run game to keep this a low scoring affair at first.

This bet will depend on a narrow turnover margin. The Cougars will run the ball while the Trojans are planning ahead in what will be a one score game, so: Cougars +12  1/2. 

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

A major shout-out to the Family and friends of Mr. Ted Herrick. They lost a great man recently. I know not everybody who reads this believes in Prayer, but if you do, please extend some up for them.

Find me on ‘Twitter’: @PeterMorganWPS