PETE’S PICKS: Without Razorback game, still SEC games to pick

I do not know which I prefer, not having a Razorbacks game to watch on a bye week or looking forward to the weekend without the stress and anxiety of worrying about scheduling around the game, getting all the food and snacks ready, driving to the game, and the possibility of getting beaten … again.

The loss to Ole Miss was brutal, and the arrogance showed by their premier wide receiver and quarterback (who both shall remain nameless) made it only that much worse.

Bye weeks are sometimes the most unusual news weeks because instead of everyone focusing upon the opponents, there is instead a drive to discuss what is going on behind the scenes. Locker room rumors, transfer musings, coaching changes, and even the occasional NIL debate are frequently the hot topics of interest.

We can forget about all of that for now. Those have been talked about more than this week’s election. For clarity, no we will not discuss politics on here; I refuse to do so… unless someday Tye Richardson decides to run for Constable of Mountainburg. Interestingly enough, early exit polls have him up four points as a potential candidate.

I just told a lie. I am going to discuss rumors regarding a coaching change. While it has been made known if Arkansas makes a bowl game head coach Sam Pittman’s job is safe for another year, there are whispers [too many to pinpoint an exact source] that this declaration is just a mirage to give him a respectful out. The chatter amongst the social media braintrust is Pittman will retire at the conclusion of this season to open the door for a replacement. Naturally, offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino’s name is at the top of that list.

Let’s humor ourselves and pretend there is some truth to this hearsay. What would that scenario bring? Three key pieces must find resolution to create success.

First, let’s ask ourselves, is that something the Arkansas fans would even want? I think most would say yes due to the fact Petrino has a history of winning. Granted, there still exists two somewhat overlapping groups of people who might show some hesitation in promoting Bobby back to his old spot as commander-in-chief of Razorbacks Football.

One group is simply those who do not trust the man. They feel as though his past actions of personal advancement supersede his ability to be successful on the field and the scoreboard. The second group is comprised of those who facilitate our moral compass around the state.

Arkansas is still, and probably always will be, in the heart of the Bible Belt. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having beliefs, faith, and a conscience. Nothing. But, without preaching here, one of the key aspects we are taught about our dominant faith in this region is forgiveness. Changing, penance, and asking for said forgiveness are three tenets which I believe Petrino has completed, and, if we practice what we preach, then we should grant the man a clean slate.

Second, if Petrino becomes Head Hog, who gets the nod for offensive coordinator? Pause right here and think about it for a second. My mind immediately jumps to one name, and that is of Bobby’s younger brother, Paul Petrino.

Since leaving Arkansas following his second campaign here, it would not be fair to say Paul has had no success as a football coach. Yes, after his departure at the end of 2012, he immediately took the head coaching job at Idaho. From 2013 until 2021, Paul led the Vandals to an abysmal 34-66 record.

But honestly, that is Idaho, and playing in the Kibbie Dome is not an attractive place for football talent elite. Not since they filmed the movie “Hoosiers” in there have they had … Wait, sorry, not the same place, but the difference is negligible.

One might counterpoint current Vandals head coach Jason Eck has had success in Idaho, and while that may be true, it reinforces in my mind Paul Petrino has a similarity with Sam Pittman. Paul is likeable, but he may find his best working success lies on the sidelines or up in the press box as opposed to being the head coach.

Add to it, as a personal example, my best work on do-it-yourself projects comes when I am side-by-side with my older brother. I am more relaxed, more comfortable, and I generally know what my brother’s thoughts and tendencies are as we work together. It is almost an unspoken language.

Paul has that with Bobby, and both found their biggest successes when they worked in tandem. Add to it, after a year’s stint in Central Michigan and spending 2024 with South Alabama as a wide receivers coach, we should not have much difficulty convincing Paul to return to Fayetteville.

Lastly, we need to ponder the defensive coordinator position. Current DC Travis Williams is the guy. I have no doubts, and there is not a singular name entering my head to replace him. The players love him. They feed off his passion, his drive, and his admiration and love for them.

He truly is one of a kind, and he either really loves being in Fayetteville, or he missed his calling as the next big thing in Hollywood. Guess who else is crazy about the guy? The majority of the fans. His style, his charisma, and his loyalty despite having his roots at an SEC rival draw us nearer to the man.

Even the media sings the guy’s praises. Throw his personality traits to the side, and you still have a man who can (as the expression goes) flat-out coach. He coaches up, and not out and down. Talent-for-talent, his defenses have shown the ability to stop opposing offenses, even those with slightly better athletes than his.

Yes, a forest fire is hard to stop with a garden hose, so, obviously, we currently do not have the caliber of defensive players to week-in and week-out matchup with the elite offenses around the nation, but if we can speak openly here, few programs do. My point is we could, and I will explain why in a second.

What could culminate under this scenario is a perfect mixture of coaching minds, stability, and success which will be appealing for top recruits and transfers. We know all three of these coaches have fantastic minds for the game; there is no question there.

Bobby and Paul will further educate an already intelligent and savvy Williams who will no doubt be a fantastic head coach someday. Therefore, we need to keep this gem at Arkansas. At 41 years of age, he has a long, bright future in front of him, and the Petrino Brothers can help expand his mind and knowledge of the game.

The big IF then becomes can we keep him here, and if we can, when Bobby retires, Williams will be a natural fit and can transition into the role of head coach.

The rolling result will have been building a great program with these three minds at the helm. Williams will still have decades before he retires thus bringing in the stability athletes want when their desire is to play winning football.

And the repetitive success of the teams will continue to foster in consistently great signing classes which translates into better bowl games, playoff berths, and very possibly SEC and National Championships.

You might call this a stretch, but sports are often based upon science, and we have a potential concoction for creating a ticket to Hog Heaven.

Random Thoughts

Our No. 16 Hogs basketball team hosting No. 8 Baylor at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Saturday should be enough to keep our sports-obsessed brains occupied during the bye. Tipoff is set for 6:30 PM.

Do not get me wrong. I love Pittman. I think he has done a fantastic job with the situation he was given. He may have peaked too early, or perhaps he truly is feeling the strain and is ready to call it a career well done.

TRIVIA QUESTION: Why is it called a “bye” week or game?

Whatever happened to Jeff Long? You should “Google” his name sometime if you have not kept up.

TRIVIA ANSWER: No one with whom I have ever spoken knows for certain, but it is said to be a variation of the word “by”. The thought is the team not playing is either “standing by” or being “bypassed.”

The next kid who knocks on my door at 6:07 on a Saturday morning to ask for a Toaster Strudel — especially when it is the first time I have been able to sleep in for four months — will be on dishwashing duty for a month. Initial here ___.

SEC Picks for Week 11

Andy is good. He is great. He can quickly string together intriguing words like a garden spider her web. But he cannot out pick me when it comes to SEC Football.

Florida at (5) Texas – By name, this would have been a great match-up to see on paper in years past. By this season’s performances, the luster is not there. That said, there is a possibility Florida could play lights out as they have shown some mild improvement following the flops to start off 2024. Texas is too good, but only if they can get the correct quarterback going early enough in the game. They will struggle early but then pull away. Longhorns by 17.

(3) Georgia at (16) Ole Miss – This was almost the GOTW for Week 11, but even with Ole Miss hosting in Oxford, Georgia is just too driven for another letdown. Add to it, the Rebels may be a tad cocky following the destruction they put on Arkansas. It is doubtful, however, because coach Lane Kiffin and his players know how capable Georgia is. Unfortunately for the Rebels, knowing and stopping are two different things. Bulldogs by 23.

South Carolina at Vanderbilt – To everyone outside of the Palmetto State, raise your hand if you can ever accurately predict how the Gamecocks will perform in a game. Few of you moved. The Commodores are climbing for the pinnacle of success for an institute of learning in the SEC, and everyone from South Carolina is probably tired from chasing monkeys across Sassafras Mountain on Friday. ‘Dores by 4.

Mississippi State at (7) Tennessee – “Good Grief Game”: Time for Arkansas fans to switch the television over to the basketball game. For the rest of you, you can finish up making your last-minute snacks for my appointed HTL GOTW. Vols by 28.

GAME OF THE WEEK

(11) Alabama at (15) LSU – Who would you pick and by how many? Tag me on “X”, and an exact prediction gives the winner a $10 gift certificate. Bama is no longer Bama, and LSU is getting closer and closer to being the almost unbeatable Tigers who won the National Championship of 2020. Hey, with NIL, at least Odell Beckham, Jr. can finally legally give out money to LSU players. That guy was such a joke. Regardless, this is today, and the Crimson Tide will be outmatched by LSU’s defense as well as their offense. Mark it 8, Dude. Tigers by 7 + 1.

Oklahoma at (24) Missouri – If I pick against the Sooners, my beloved aunt disowns me. If I pick against the Tigers, one of my greatest friends (and one of the best people in this world), Brian Chandler, sends me a kind but disappointed text message. Aunt Barbara, I love you, but Chandler and his wife Donna recently sent me the coolest set of champagne glasses, and this is my way of returning the favor… plus Missouri is far better than OU, especially in Columbia. Tigers by 14.

Hey, ruined shirts are better than immediately bidding bye to the possibility of a great weekend due to worrying about ruined shirts, correct?

Go HOGS!!!