PETE’S PICKS: Razorbacks will win cold one in Fayetteville

Life is not all roses. It is not a box of chocolate. You do not always get what you want.

Expressions, right?  

I have come to the realization this week that each person has to accept they are not perfect, nor are those around them. There are pros and cons to every tale. To every person. To every aspect in life.

So while there is no perfect one thing we can see or experience in this life, oftentimes two things come together which are perfect for each other or together.

Right now, I am not talking about the Arkansas defense and special teams.

Something is wrong in Fayetteville, folks, and it is up to Sam Pittman to figure out and correct whatever it is. The Arkansas Razorbacks football team is not blending well on the field.

There is no consistency past the defensive line, and our punting game has become suspect (in my opinion). Furthermore, every team in the SEC has exploited it since we lost to Texas A&M.

Ole Miss comes to town Saturday, and they are extremely well coached, and Lane Kiffin will have his team ready to play including (but not limited to) the quarterback and the receivers dissecting the Arkansas secondary.

I do not know what to say, honestly. I sit here at my desk, I enjoy my view, and I wonder what the future holds; however, I cannot seem to have much hope and confidence our defense can stop anyone with a number beside their team name this year.

We did play better against LSU. Hopefully that game built a swag which can only be carried onto Frank Broyles Field when we host the Rebels.

I could go on and on about how our offensive line needs to open up passing lanes and perform better on the run blocking scheme. I might also ramble on about how our defensive pressure up front on Saturday had better get into the Ole Miss backfield as quickly as possible to harass sophomore quarterback Jaxson Dart.

I could do all that, yet I think you can read about that in other HTL pieces by men who know a lot more about the game than I do. So why bother? I am just here so I do not get fined… or accused of plagiarism.

We should simply spend the next several sentences making fun of Lane Kiffin. I am certain you all can attempt my attempt to be mature yet falling short when the chips are on the line.

Speaking of gambling, someone give Kiffin directions to Siloam Springs tomorrow afternoon.

It is time to pick the score, right?

Arkansas 34-27

Random Thoughts

• If you are going to Razorback Stadium on Saturday night, you had better bring extra clothes, heavy blankets, and a whistle. You are going to look like our last memory of Jack Dawson by the third quarter.

• Arkansas can and will win this game.

• I wonder what Ole Miss’s mascot will be this week. (Editor’s Note: Their nickname is Rebels and the mascot is a black bear dressed up in Rebels’ gear because the previous Col. Reb figure running around scared the daylights out of little kids). 

Saturday night will bring new meaning to the dub “Fayettechill.” 

TRIVIA QUESTION: Where does Lane Kiffin buy his sun visors?

The over/under on the announcers making bad Jaxson Dart puns is currently set at 3.5.

Two weeks later, does anyone still think KJ got in on the two-point conversion?

TRIVIA ANSWER: Really? You had to look? We all know those are given to him at no cost. You are such a rebel.

Bowl eligibility and placement hang in the balance over the next two games. What are your expectations and where is your level of sheer disappointment?

I heard it said by my friend Kane that this is technically Sam Pittman’s sophomore year. Do you agree?

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on 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 12

Two weeks left in the picks race, and Andy seems to be Master of his Domain … or so he says.

Austin Peay at (8) Alabama: Fans in Tuscaloosa will be able to breathe easier this week as they tune up for Auburn. Bama by 40.

ETSU at Mississippi State: I think my fiancé buys stuff off the ETSU app all the time. The Bulldogs are buying a win. Mississippi State by 30.

UMass at Texas A&M: I am flipping a coin on this one… Seriously. Aggies by who knows?

Florida at Vanderbilt: How about those Commodores?! After upsetting a flailing Kentucky team, the boys of Vandy will look more like themselves as they host Florida this week. Gators by 13.

(1) Georgia at Kentucky: The Wildcats are on a landslide, and their schedule will only get tougher as they welcome the number one team in the nation into Lexington. Mark Stoops’s resume is looking less impressive to prospective programs. Bulldogs by 24.

(5) Tennessee at South Carolina: Tennessee fans are annoying. Yes, that is the only take on this game. Vols by 20.

(14) Ole Miss at Arkansas – GAME OF THE WEEK: Why GOTW honors? Why not? It is the most intriguing SEC contest this week. All hail Fayettenam in 20-degree weather. Hogs by 8.

New Mexico State at Missouri: New Mexico State seems to play more SEC games than Mississippi State does. Tigers by 24.

UAB at (6) LSU: Yawn.  Well, half-yawn. This will be a good game going into the second half. LSU pulls away. Tigers by 28.

Soller Opposites

Eric is still well on the plus side of .500. That is good enough for me to take some solid advice. Kiffin himself would be honored at the gambling prowess.

Colorado +31 at Washington

Curiosity over the linkage between the decline of the Buffs football program and legalization of marijuana aside, this line is too high. 

Washington’s full-course upset of Oregon last week has the eyes of the Huskies focused on an apple dessert next week as they take on Washington State.

Colorado has little to bring to the feast but will pick up a cheap, convenience store running game on their way to Seattle. As gracious hosts, the Huskies will placate their guests and allow them to run for a while.

Eating up the clock, there will not be enough time or motivation to push the spread over 30. 

Take Colorado +31 and a bottle of Pepto. 

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

Patience is a virtue. Great things come to those who wait. Things happen when you least expect them. To my favorite expression, thanks for all you have done for me.

 Find me on Twitter @PeterMorganWPS

Go HOGS!!!