Everybody’s got an opinion. That’s one of the great things that makes this site go is everybody bringing good, thoughtful commentary about all things Razorback.
Our predictions for conference division order were pretty much in line with the voters at SEC Media Days. But it seemed like no other team embodied such a wide range of opinions last week in Birmingham as Arkansas. Math professors would’ve had a field day with the Hogs “standard deviation.”
It reminds me of a scene from the movie “Road House.” Patrick Swayze’s character, Dalton, is an undersized bouncer charged with cleaning up an out-of-control Missouri bar. When first introduced to fellow bouncer Morgan (portrayed expertly, by the way, by former pro wrestler Terry Funk), he cracks, “You sure don’t look like much to me.” To which Dalton slyly replies “Opinions vary,” before walking away.
A lot of positive energy was displayed by Coach Petrino and the players last week. And that likely helped push the Hogs ahead of Auburn for a second place pre-season ranking in the SEC West. Experience, an easier schedule, and a better defense should have the Hogs improving greatly in 2010.
But one Alabama writer — and we use that term loosely — disagrees. Kirk McNair of BamaMag.com (a Scout.com affiliate) sees the Hogs finishing no higher than fifth in the SEC West, posting a 6-6 overall record and a 3-5 mark in SEC play:
“As for the rest of the SEC Western Division behind Alabama, we have LSU at 6-2, 10-2; Auburn also at 6-2, 10-2, but LSU winning the tie-breaker (head-to-head); Ole Miss a surprising 4-4, 8-4; Arkansas a disappointing 3-5, 6-6 (you can’t just HOPE for defense), and Mississippi State much improved on the field, but still only 1-7, 5-7.”
McNair, who is actually a former Alabama sports information director, of course has the Crimson Tide finishing 12-0. He goes on to state that one of the few things working in the Hogs’ favor is their bye week scheduling:
“Give the Razorbacks credit for one good schedule move. Arkansas has an open date after playing the Tide, a week needed for healing.”
Huh…it’s good to know some things don’t change in Alabama. As the old saying goes, we think that Mr. McNair has “lulled himself into a false sense of competence.” Excuse us now as we go pin this up on our RBN bulletin board.
I hope CBP put's that statement up almost everywhere these players go.
I picked Alabama to win the West this season because common sense tells me so, but to so arrogantly pick the Tide to go undefeated, while playing so many improved SEC teams on the road, catching several after a bye week, is nothing short of just plain stupid.
It takes more than just hoping for a defense? I think the same could be said for morons who pick their favorite team to repeat undefeated seasons in the SEC. You can't just hope for it.
Well said Gonzo. I guess Auburn "can hope to be better on defense" to the tune of 10-2, but we can't. Incredible. Don't get me started again.
Alabama writers have to cater to the mad fan base that follows the Crimson Tide. They do a great job of matching their outrageous comments to the outrageous ego of the 'Bama football fan.
After Michigan and Notre Dame, Alabama, USC, and Oklahoma have enjoyed the most success in modern, major college football. I don't know if they have a right to be mad, but they have a reason.
Arkansas, on the other hand, either because of our hard luck history or Orville Henry has the most thoughtful and intelligent fan base in the south, maybe the country, outside of the Ivy League of course.
The more actual facts I see the better I feel about this team. More holes have been plugged in this defense than people are giving credit for. A lot of care is going to have to be taken to nurse the special teams along. There are always injuries and great teams have to bond. But, all things being equal, this bunch is hungry to come of age. We may not play for the crystal football but, I would not be too surprised to see this team in Atlanta.
'Bama is the one with the tough schedule and some holes to fill.
Besides, how stupid do you have to be to pick Ole Miss 8-4, 4-4.
I like the part about the "thoughtful and intelligent fan base." I'm wondering how such an enlightened segment of sports fans could spend so much time in such pointless speculations as these if they had lives, jobs, families, etc. I don't really care, mind you, just wondering.
What I would really like to see these thoughtful and intelligent fans discuss, following an analysis by the brilliant bloggers who host this site, is the issue of funding raised by Chris Bahn on ArkansasSports360: "Calling the Hogs likely to take on new meaning soon." I hope all of you have read that article, digested and analyzed the information and the implications. Actually I would like to see the whole Department of Athletics budget and expenditures.
The issue of the Razorbacks budget came up a number of times during the previous football and basketball seasons, as fans wondered whether Arkansas's lower-tier budget was the reason for the Hogs's lack of success in the won-lost column. Can you buy success? I do believe that Arkansas gets more out of its budget than most programs manage.
So, how 'bout it Razorbloggers: Do you have any thoughts about the money?
BTW: I am "The Hogfan Formerly Known As Swineherd." I wanted a new handle for the new season. This is appropriate.
Yeah, that was pretty tongue in cheek.
I would love to see the low interest loans handed out by the Foundation come to light. It is one thing to charge for seat priority and then use the funds to benefit the program and quite another to enrich the foundation members.
If we get past Georgia, which I am more worried about, I think we will beat 'Bama by 14-20 points! Time will tell, as ever.
I would take a one point victory of Bama after the past two seasons. Thank goodness Arenas is gone! Their running game will be tough again. If we can keep from giving up the big run, we'll be ok. Thank goodness Arenas is gone! haha And that little man from LSU, Holiday for that matter!!!! GOOOO HOGS!!!! Can't wait!
we keep hearing how Arkansas will be the Ole Miss of 2010..They got the "A" part right in that prediction but that is all…Alabama will be the SEC's overrated team this year as they will lose at least 3 games..they lost all but 2 players off their D and regardless of how many stars these reserves were rated coming in, they still have to gel on the field and keep mental mistakes down which will, at best, take some time…Hogs liable to put it on em..I agree.
I'm with you Scott. Expecting a group of inexperienced players to hold the SEC's top offense on the road is too much to ask. They may not be bad due to the talent and great coaching, but there are too many things stacked up against Bama's D.
As we've said ad nauseum, this game and many others will come down to our D. Can we manage Ingram and Richardson, and keep big plays from Jones?
The Bama game may be a shootout. If so, I like our chances at home.
One other comment regarding the D. It seems some of the prognosticators are forgetting that our defense is going up against the best offense in the SEC every day. Competing against Childs, Adams, Wright, and DJ is the best preparation they can get to stopping the other play makers. If our run offense has improved, it won't hurt to go against Wingo, Davis, Green, either.
Whoaaa. Alert! Alert! I just read where Nutt and Ole Miss has landed QB Jeremiah Masoli. This changes eveything. Masoli is a remarkable scrambler and can throw the ball. I watched him almost singlehandedly dismantle USC's defense. The Rebs have a fairly soft opening scheduale and Arkansas may not have time to get a good handle on how Nutt will use him in his offense. Masoli will have to have good, scrambling receivers that know how to get open for him to be effective. Since he's just coming on board, he may not be comfortable with his receivers early in the season (we can hope) or with Nutt's philosophy of playing close to the vest and using the QB as a last resort – but then what choice does Nutt have?. (Nutt has not had a sterling reputation for developing receivers if his last years at Arkansas are any example.) If Masoli does well in his first two games look for the pundits to immediately vault the Rebs from last in the West to co-contenders with the Hogs and Auburn. It may be uncharitable to say this, but considering Masoli's past it my be advisable for the Ole Miss players to keep their valuables locked up. (Just an opinion, but Masoli's too short and doesn't have that strong of an arm to be a NFL QB, but Oxford is his last chance to get into the big leagues. If this translates into intensity, Ole Miss' opponents are going to have their hands full – Masoli may just have saved Nutt's job until he can relaod and find a QB)
Jim Dogg,
I hear you loud and clear 'ol buddy. I've been watching this event unfold for the past few days now.
With the loss of OC Kent Austin after last season, WR Pat Patterson back in the spring and now QB Raymond Cotton, Nutt's passing game arsenal seems to be eerily taking the same path of what he experienced here at the UofA with OC Gus Malzahn, WR Damien Williams and QB Mitch Mustain. Although the circumstances surrounding these latest transactions involving Nutt are far different than before, they still seem to somehow always involve people capable of making a would be passing attack click.
The latest developement on the Masoli story is absolutely no suprise to me what so ever. Only Nutt is capable of putting himelf in almost the exact same kind of situation with his OC/WR/QB for a second time in only what, 3 1/2 years?
I've watched Masoli play. He is erratic at times, just like he is off the field. It just goes with his personality I suppose.
He's built like a FB, tough as nails and has good moves and quikness to boot.
As far as what he did to USC last year, I'm not quite as impressed with that as I would've been a couple of years earlier.
A good, but not great Stanford team beat up on the Trojans in their own stadium last season. Their defense wasn't near as impressive last season like they have been in the past.
This is also the SEC. Masoli won't look near as tough in this league like he did in the Pac-10 last season, but he's definately perfect for HDN.
Nutt likes a running offense, period. Masoli likes to use his toughness on the outside edge to either run over CBs with his size or create something through the air to WRs breaking away from coverage. (ala Matt Jones)
In the end though, for Razorback fans, it's just a lot more of what we've already seen from HDN going on 13 years now, a heavy dose of pure Nutt-ball.
Little bit of an update on Masoli. Some have questioned where Masoli, who is supposed to be poor, is getting the money to get into grad school. Shouldn't be a problem. Grad programs have scholarships and instructorships (Masoli is purported to be a good student). I don't know what racial or ethnic group that Masoli is classified as but keep in mind that sometimes it's better to be poor and non-white than middle class and white regarding financial educational opportunities and with Obama running the student loan program, hey, what's the problem? Oregon must agree to this transfer but Oregon being Oregon, with it's PC politics and sensitivity to social miscreants, Masoli shouldn't have any problems with that either. It's interesting that the SEC hasn't been heard from but I doubt that there will be a problem at that level. One reason being might be that given by an ESPN writer. He said that the matchup between Masoli and Mallet at the Ole Miss game is going to get tremendous national attention. In fact he referred to it as a "match made in Heaven". Masoli was listed as a potential Heisman candidate before his run-in with the law. If Masoli performs well he may still get consideration for the award (although it's unlikely he would get it – even Heisman voters have some standards – I think). But still the competition will be there for Mallet. Most likely that game will be the game of the week or better. Masoli immediately brings talent to the QB position which is weak this year in the SEC. The press will be on top of this situation all season, whether Masoli succeeds or fails, which will be good exposure for the SEC. There is some humor value in this since Reb opponents can now call Ole Miss the the University of Mississippi Department of Corrections – Oxford. And did anyone ever think that Oregon would send its felons to Mississippi for rehab. If Masoli succeeds then coaches will be scouring the prisons for athletes who can recite the alphabet – forwards.
Not all Reb fans are thrilled by this if you read the Oxford Clarion. One cracked me up when he wrote that Masoli still has to win the position. For those of you who disparage the West Coast teams may I remind you of the yearly, early season beatings that Tennessee has received from that league. But other than the fact that Masoli is a potential pledge for the Purple Gang Fraternity he should be a plus for the league – if he can just keep his hands off other peoples' laptops. If Masoli can help the league's image in the power ratings by improving Ole Miss then it bodes well for the SEC champ being in the Championship Game and BCS bowls. I, for one,am looking forward to the excitement that Masoli brings (whatever that might be)but I just hope Arkansas will be ready for him.
I read that Ole Miss is putting in a new offensive set this year. They're calling it the WildFelon.
No doubt Guys, think Matt Jones. Nutt loves drama. Should be a huge year for Drama in the Grove. Nutt will probably retire from Ole Miss. It is a match made in heaven.
The SEC is not the PAC-10. Alabama is the upset for Nutt this year. And, the HOgs, always the hogs, Nutts wants the Hogs. This will make it a GREAT game! But, this year, we win.
Do you realize how good our offense will be this year? It's time to hang half a hundred, on EVERYONE. Maybe not 'Bama. With a bit of defense, Atlanta here we come.
We have all the key components at skill. We will be as good as our Offensive and Defensive lines are.
I am excited about our safety. Great running backs that have some experience. Best corps of receivers we have ever had. Great QB as long as he takes his anxiety medication before the games. Great play caller.
Only question mark is our D Coordinator. This is his year since he finally has some talent. I like him as a person, I hope he succeeds.
obh,
I agree with your comment about the offensive and defensive lines.
The big games in the SEC are decided in the trenches.
The O-line has to protect the QB when you have a guy like Ryan Mallett, and make holes for the RBs.
The D-line, especially the DEs, has to put pressure on opposing QBs, while the DTs clog up the middle on running plays to free up the LBs, so they can be more effective.
If we are much improved in both of those areas, and become more consistant with STs play, this could be our year.