I was the last one out of the house that day, Saturday, November 19, 2022. As I turned to shut the door behind me after running back in to grab my gloves, I looked down and said, “So long, Annie. We are off to watch the Razorbacks dominate the Rebels.”
Annie, quite possibly the smartest dog anyone could ever meet looked back up at me almost as to ask, “I love you. Please take me with you?”
I wish I could have taken her into Razorback Stadium that day. She had a way of making your heart melt — but we all know that is not a possibility. So I told her goodbye and shut the door behind me with her immediately waiting for our return on the other side.
This past week, as we had no choice but to say a final farewell to our beloved family member, she looked up at her mother and I one last time.
Annie’s hair was now much grayer, and her eyes had grown cloudy, but the love was still there. Like before, I did not want either of us to be left behind.
Then her eyes closed, and I immediately knew what she felt like every time the door shut in front of her.
Annie, you were absolutely one of the best dogs to ever grace any human family, and you will be forever missed. You took a piece from each of us with you.
Is there a Rainbow Bridge? I certainly hope so. Wherever you are, I know your tail is wagging, your eyes are bright, and you are dancing like you did with me when you wanted a treat.
To those who might be reading this, thank you for indulging me. She was beyond special and deserves a far better tribute. Till next time, sweet girl.
The Hogs won the game that cold November night, 42-27, and it was not really even that close. The Rebels beat us in Oxford by 7 the following year, and then their revenge came hard with a 63-31 beatdown in Fayetteville in 2024.
Thankfully, the Rebel quarterback from those games, Jaxson Dart did what all hated Ole Miss quarterbacks do, and that is go play pro ball for the New York Giants. Can I get another “Thank goodness”?
Flash forward to the present.
While watching the Rebels play at Kentucky last week, I noticed a major drop-off in their quarterback position. Austin Simmons made some great plays, and he even had a 7-yard scamper into the endzone.
But he also threw two interceptions. He is not yet at the level of Dart, but this topic may all be for naught as he is recovering from an ankle injury.
He is, however, listed as “Probable” for this weekend’s game on the Ole Miss availability list. Make note, he has not been taking reps this week, so even still, he may be a tad rusty.
He is not the only key injury on the Ole Miss sideline. The coaching staff currently has starting cornerback Jaylon Braxton listed as “Questionable.”
Normally, my eyes might light up thinking, “We might be able to pick apart their secondary,” but unfortunately, there is bad news.
Arkansas has three — yes, I said “three” wide receivers out from an already thin roster at that position.
This might mean the Razorbacks need to focus on the running game, which, believe it or not, could be a benefit as the Rebels are dead last in the conference defending against the run.
While we are on the subject of team stats, the Hogs are the second highest SEC offense in rushing yards, third in passing, and second overall.
Granted, this can be misleading as it often is early in the season as many SEC teams are facing cupcakes soft enough for your Great-uncle Elmer chew. On paper, this looks like advantage Arkansas.
But football is not played on paper. It takes place on the field and on the sidelines. This conference opener may be a coaching duel between Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman against Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss.
Arkansas’s defense will not be able to take the first series off as this one will be much closer than the previous two weeks. If they do, the Rebels could jump out to a quick lead of which we cannot recover.
Ole Miss 37, Arkansas 27
Be certain to listen to the game Saturday at 6:00 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.
Random Thoughts
If Arkansas upsets Ole Miss, I will purchase and wear a Rebels visor as a token of gratitude for Lane Kiffin not taking the Arkansas job.
TRIVIA QUESTION: From what year does a game in the history of the Arkansas vs Ole Miss series remain contested?
Hey, we all love sports, and we may disagree on what one person feels about a team or how that team will perform on a specific weekend. It does not mean we have to hate each other. Think about that for a moment.
Who am I kidding? I am not going to wear another SEC school’s apparel. I bet I can talk Tommy Craft into doing it, though.
TRIVIA ANSWER: Arkansas believes Ole Miss used an ineligible player in 1914, and the Rebels deny the accusation. Depending upon who you believe, the Hogs either lead the series 38-30-1 or 37-31-1.
I am worried about Taylen Green’s ability to see the whole field before he makes his throws. That could be the difference in this weekend’s game.
SEC Picks for Week 3
Andy compared me to Chad Morris last week, and while it may have made me emotional, I get it, I get it. Now, let’s sit up. Feet on the floor. Alright? I get it. I get it.
Wisconsin at (19) Alabama – Is it just me, or are Badger fans the nicest people at the tailgate and then the most annoying inside the stadium?
Two seasons ago this would have been one of the most exciting games in the nation, but now it has a lot less luster. The Crimson Tide have a little bit better team, plus they are at home. Bama by 10.
(13) Oklahoma at Temple – “Yeah, but, Coach, the Owls want a home-and-home with us.” With Temple playing better than expected this season, the Sooners had better be glad they scheduled a third game in 2028. This could be a close game, but I doubt it will be too much of a scare for OU. Sooners by 21.
South Alabama at (24) Auburn – Hey, look who is ranked?! Too soon? No trouble holding onto that No. 24 slot for the Tigers this week. Auburn by 35.
Louisianna Lafayette at (25) Missouri – Hey, look who is also ranked? Why? It was not like the Tigers looked superb struggling with Kansas last weekend. Other than a few spots of minor weaknesses being exposed, they should have no issues Saturday. Missouri by 30.
(6) Georgia at (15) Tennessee – Hey, Bulldogs, when you struggle for most of the game against Austin Peay, especially at home, you will drop in the rankings. This will be a tussle in Knoxville, and if you want to get back some of your street cred, you need to go in there and do what Georgia is expected to do. The Vols are not going to allow you to walk in there and dominate simply because you are Georgia. You will get the win, but only because Tennessee has a lacking of experience at quarterback. Bulldogs by 10.
“Good Grief Game”
UTEP at (7) Texas – Maybe Arch Manning can work on his sidearm some more this game. Longhorns by 41.
Alcorn State at Mississippi State – Is the Alcorn State campus just a few miles north of Mena, or am I getting confused? Hey, the Bulldogs will have one more win at the end of the third week this season than they did all of last year. Way to go, Dogs! MSU by 38.
Arkansas at (17) Ole Miss – The Rebel fans and media may be overlooking us, but Lane Kiffin and his Rebel band are not. Ole Miss by 10.
Eastern Michigan at Kentucky – Mark Stoops had better pray for a win by his Wildcats, and a margin of victory more than the cost of a jar of holler shine. Kentucky by $29.99.
PETE’S SEC GAME OF THE WEEK
(16) Texas A&M at (8) Notre Dame – Why “Game of the Week”? Because I am not sold on either of these two teams.
In fact, maybe I have had an attitude shift over the past year, as I look at rankings and think so many are overhyped. But I feel these two teams will match up nicely across from each other.
The Aggies have not played much competition heading into Week 3 of 2025. And there was nothing that stood out as phenomenal in their first two victories. In fact, against the UTSA Roadrunners, A&M never really had the game out of question until the 4th quarter.
Give the Irish credit, they rarely take a week off from stiff competition.
Granted, they did take their first bye of 2025 in Week 2, and that extra rest, mixed with a bad taste in their mouth from the season-opening loss to Miami, will not bode well for the Aggies.
Notre Dame comes into the game heavily favored, and I will fall in line with that thinking, but I do feel it will be close. Fighting Irish by 12.
Florida at (3) LSU – “Oh, Billy, Billy boy. When are going to find whatever win you are looking for?”
My guess is Florida coach Billy Napier is looking for at least three wins out of four in this gauntlet he and his Gators have to run over the next four weeks.
If he does not get at least two, and possibly even three, he will no longer be on the hot seat, if you catch my drift.
Better luck with Miami, Texas, and A&M coming up, Billy. LSU will be too much for your Gators on the road, especially given how much your team seems to struggle in September. Tigers by 7.
Vanderbilt at (11) South Carolina – Hold on, this could be a good one. In fact, I considered giving it “Game of the Week” honors, but it is not as high-powered as a couple of the other SEC match-ups.
I also considered putting this as an “Upset Alert”, but I simply do not have the feeling the ‘Dores can win on the road against a ranked SEC opponent.
The Gamecocks are probably slightly overrated, but they are still a very talented team. South Carolina by 11.
As mentioned, my wife, whom I love tremendously, and I have lost our beloved Annie; however, and possibly by the time this is published, we will have a new member in our Family.
Our daughter, Rylee, and her husband, Austyn, will be bringing into this would our first grandchild.
I’ll save stating his name until the parents have made an official decision, but we look forward to meeting him. God Bless you all!
Go HOGS!!!
