PETE’S PICKS: Somewhere he picked winner of Hogs-Rebels in latest selections

I was always taught to never start something I write with the word “I”.

Now that I got that off my chest, it is time to discuss the No. 19 Ole Miss Rebels coming into Fayetteville for a Week 10 contest against our much-improved Arkansas Razorbacks.

Have you ever watched two heavyweight boxers trade blow-for-blow? That is similar to what we have seen between Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman and Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. The two have exchanged two home wins apiece since Pittman came into the SEC in 2020.

Razorback fans hope that trend continues this weekend. Oddly, for your opinion piece writer, beating Ole Miss does not give me as much excitement as it used to. Perhaps it is they were burdened with taking Houston Nutt off our hands. Maybe it boils down to my thoughts on Kiffin have changed over the past few years.

He seems softer, friendlier, and perhaps even more humble. I hear good things about his compassion and charity work. Maybe I am just getting older, and my priorities on what stress I need to intake has changed. I even like Houston Nutt again.

Yeah, I said it. And rumor has it Nutt is picking the Hogs. So am I.

Arkansas, 38 – 31

Random Thoughts

High school football officiating needs help. So does basketball. Expect a write-up soon.

TRIVIA QUESTION: The record books at Arkansas and Ole Miss have conflicting series records on this rivalry. Each team respectively has one more win. What year and what was the reason?

Bobby Petrino’s offense could have a field day if they scheme this one perfectly. That is a given, right?

TRIVIA ANSWER: In 1914, it was claimed by Arkansas that Ole Miss used an ineligible player. The Rebels deny this of course. Ole Miss won on the scoreboard and in their history books. The Hogs claim it as a win due to an Ole Miss forfeit.

I wonder if Lane Kiffin would autograph my Razorbacks visor. Yes, I always comment on his visor addiction. Those of us who suffer from this disease have to support one another.

Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 11 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 10

I normally take this opportunity to tell you all how much Andy Hodges envies me. This week will be no different. See you at the finish line, Hodges. I will be drinking champagne out of the “Hit That Line” traveling trophy.

Maine at Oklahoma – “Good Grief Game” (I think): My Andy Hodges tribute GGG for two reasons. One being I could not name their mascot when I first saw them on OU’s schedule. The second being that even though the Sooners are in a bad way this season, any and all season should be able to beat the Black Bears at home. Sooners by 24.

Vanderbilt at Auburn – This could be a great contest since it is on the Plains. If it were in Nashville, the Commodores would be the obvious choice. I could see the Tigers pulling off what some might define an upset, but I think Vandy is too talented and well-coached this year. Commodores by 10.

Florida at (2) Georgia – Screw the political correctness. The World’s Biggest Cocktail Party is upon us. The festivities may be fun, but the game will most likely be a blowout. Florida is trying to show improvement, but Georgia is too big, too fast, and too good. Bulldogs by 14.

(10) Texas A&M at South Carolina – Earlier in the season, this would have been a cinch to take the Gamecocks at home. They will make it a game, but a surging Aggies team has too much momentum. A&M by 10.

Kentucky at (7) Tennessee – The outcome of this match-up will be inevitable. The final score will be determined by which Wildcats team shows up. Vols by 17.

Hey, do not take life too seriously. No one will want to sit by you at ballgames. Oh, and see what “I” did at the end there?

Go HOGS!!!