Congratulations to HatfieldEra for the closest prediction last week of 45-20. His quote was…actually it was a poem…or maybe a lyric?! “Solid improvement in all three phases. Right now the Hogs are due. Bobby’s work is in progress. May take time…but it’s true.”
Good stuff, HatfieldEra. You should be receiving your RBN t-shirt soon via the USPS. May take time…but it’s true.
If anyone needs a quick refresher on how we judge the winner of our little weekly contest, you can check the rules here. So here we go:
Walking on Sunshine: Before the season, I had Auburn down as a ‘W’ for the Hogs, but now I’ve got a bad feeling about this one. We do not match up well when the Tigers are on offense. (Gus vs. Willy…oh, my!) In order to stop the run, the Hogs will have to overpopulate the line of scrimmage, making it even tougher on a secondary that is vulnerable. The good thing is they can’t stop us, either. Home field is worth 4-6 points, and we’ll need all that. Arkansas 40, Auburn 38.
HogBaller: The matchup between the best offensive minds in college football is won in the trenches. Hogs win a close one. Arkansas 38, Auburn 35.
HogBlogger: Big test on both sides of the ball. Hogs pass by a snout. Loud crowd required. Arkansas 38, Auburn 31.
TipsterHog: With the 11:00 a.m. start, the ESPN viewing audience might mistakenly think a Big 10 game is on. Until, that is…they see the score. Arkansas 45, Auburn 34.
Leave a comment with your name, e-mail address and pick. And feel free to add your own take like “Stadium scoreboard fully recovered…ready for another workout” or “Tigers roar. Hogs roll.”
Arkansas has an advantage over the other teams Auburn has played this year. We saw Gus' offense last against Tulsa. Of course, Auburn has better atheletes than Tulsa had but the Hogs are better this year and have more depth that does Auburn. This week the Razorbacks try to run more and the defense shows that they are making steady improvement. Arkansas 34 Auburn 21.
I think Auburn is A+M to some extent. They beat WVU (who hasn't beaten anyone) and only because WVU gave away 6 to's and they beat Tenn who hasn't beaten anyone. AU gave up 23 pts. to Ohio U. They have a good record against crap team and they are over-rated which leads everyone to believe they are actually good. I hope to god they think they can whoop us by 21.
We saw last year that just having a genius coach doesn't overcome a lack of talent so I think as they hit the meat of their schedule we'll see Auburn start to look more like last years team.
I think we are the better team. Their secondary is week. Joe Adams lights that up deep, several times. Our D can actually stop the run and their WR are not up to Ga. or Al so I actually think our improving secondary will hold their own there. Hogs win 45-24. I have never won a t-shirt and there is no reason to believe this will be the week, but should I win can mine say "Suck it Tommy Tubberville" on the back. Go Hogs!
Hogs get stirred up by Tuberville's disses and fans get stirred up by the return of Gus (again!):
Hogs 47
Tigers 42
Sweet. Thanks for the T-shirt. I haven't rec'd it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
This game is about the Hogs. My feeling is that if the offense stays in rhythm and the defense continues to improve, Arkansas wins. If Chizik finds a way to keep Mallett off balance a good part of the game, we lose. If our defense can't stop the run, or gives up more than two easy scores, we lose. I think AU's offense doesn't have much more upside…I think they're getting all they can out of it. Their defense has been steady at weak to a little below average, with really no improvement. OTOH, I like the Hogs' potential for improvement. Despite what most were saying before last week, the Hogs D has improved continuously in most aspects. I really wouldn't be surprise to see our defense take another step forward in this game, and I'll be surprised if the offense doesn't continue to gash opponents for big plays and big points. Although I wouldn't really be surprised to see either team win by 3 TD's, I'm leaning toward the Hogs by a dozen: HOGS 42-30.
Ark: 34
Aub: 42
The last SEC team we beat in Fayetteville was Mississippi State in 2007. Over the last five years we have a better record on the road against SEC teams than at Fayetteville. The trend continues.
The "Gus Bus" gets a flat.
Hogs – 35
Tigers – 17
Auburn will move the ball well against our defense, but just like with Texas A&M our defense makes enough stops for us to get a very welcomed win. Also our offense finds the seams of the Auburn defense, as they have yet to play against as much athleticism and skill, and completely dominates that part of the game.
A lot less closer than you would think:
Hogs 42
Tigers/Eagles: 24
It's a shoot out and pick'em, and, Bobby's first fantastic fourth down finish of the year.
Arkansas 51-49
Gus bus gas gauge defective… was running on a less than full tank so the bus doesn't make it to the finish line… Hogs win 35-33!
The Arkansas D-Lines Batters than Fries Gus's chicken-
Hogs 43 Auburn 12
I miss me some Tubby offense.
I know our defense has been toasted in so many ways, but I have been impressed with their ability to stop the run, which I believe is AU's primary strength. I also think the D has shown improvement each week, and we are 2-0 against Gus type offenses. I think the D surprises us on Saturday.
Arkansas 49
Auburn 35
Hogs 30
Aub 24
Turnovers could be the difference, but AR's red zone defense will be the telling factor in a close fought win as they hang on at the end to win by 6.
Pigmen-41
Tigers-34
Petrino > Gus>>>>> Nutt
Are you implying that Gus is 5 times as good a coach as Houston???
If Gus is High School, Nutty is Elementary.
The offense shows up… But once again, the secondary gets burned. (I certainly hope I am wrong!)
Arkansas-27
We need to pick ONE mascot-38
The Hogs aren't real good. They can score on you. They can't play defense. I think if Auburn keeps everything in perspective, … they get another win.
I think Auburn wins by three touchdowns. Arkansas can't stop a cold but they'll try to score some points.
Love, Tommy
Excellent Tommy!
Hope that the D decides to stop the long ball..but I have my doubts on that. Still, the team should feel good coming off a win. So I say 35-28 Hogs..
I'll actually be driving up from Dallas to see this game. This all but guarantees that we lose.
Arkansas 32
Auburn 50
Then stay at home.
As some have said, Auburn is not as good as their record would suggest. They haven't played a 'top tier' SEC team yet to know where they stand. Based on the competition they've had so far, I think the Hogs will beat them pretty easily. The Hogs are battle tested.
Hogs 49
Auburn 24
I've noticed that in anticipated shoot outs, the games are typically lower scoring than most expect.
I don't understand the Ark = tested vs Aub = not tested. Tested but with a spanking ('Bama) doesn't mean much. Ditto a loss to a 2 loss team (UGA). WVU and MSU aren't exactly pushovers and are probably on par with TAMU. Anyway, I think that line of reasoning isn't as sound as some Hog fans would hope and I think Auburn has quickly risen much higher than most expected this year. The winner of special teams gets the victory.
Hogs – 23
Tigers/War Eagle/Plainsmen – 17
Chitown, remember the hogs hung with bama (who most think are the #1 team in the land) for 2.5 quarters at their house. The unravelling came when the Hogs lost confidence and didn't know how to finish.
Time will tell on WVU and MSU…I don't think those teams are on par with A&M cause they aren't as explosive. And well, if you think they are on par with A&M just look at how we destroyed A&M.
In my opinion the Hogs grew up alot in the A&M game and learned how to finish. I think we'll see some swagger they can back up starting this weekend.
Real quick
Hogs 36
Auburn 32
Malzahns love for Arkansas makes him make some bad calls.
Hog 45
Tigers 42
IF, a BIG IF, turnovers are even, the Hogs win. If Auburn turns it over like they have been known to this year, the Hogs win big. So, let's pretend Arky is +3 turnovers:
Razorbacks 48
War Eagle, Tigers & Plainsmen combined 20
This game has me nervous, probably on par with the GA game a few weeks back. Hogs are certainly capable of beating their opponent, but is the D up to the task? They played MUCH better last week, but how much of that had to do with the A&M O-line being horrendous? All-in-all, I think Tigers/Eagles are overrated, but we've seen this before when they come to Fayetteville. The Over/Under on how many times Gus Malzahn is mentioned during the telecast is 80, and so will be the total points scored in the game. It'll be a close one, and I predict we'll get jobbed by the refs a few times:
Aubie: 42
Tusk: 38
Hogs: 38
Aub: 24
We need this one.
I got no idea what's gonna happen here, but since I'm trying to win a shirt I'll play the odds.
Pigs – 27
Cats/Birds – 30
Ryan Mallett is a beast, our secondary is improved. (i hope)
Arkansas 49
Auburn 34
This one will come down to the trenches. whichever offense line protects thier Quaterback better will win. Both Defensive secondaries are suspect. the Hogs D played better last week, but against a bottom Feeder of the Big 12 that is very young. Auburn has played some Good Competion the last two weeks, Tennessee has a good defense and they ran and threw all over them. THis should be a good game to watch, much like a track meet. Arkansas will put up a lot of points but in the end THe Auburn Defense will get one more stop than Arkansas' I hope I am wrong.
The other confused about thier mascot : 45
The Pigmen: 38
Hogs show up early and continue to show the killer instinct like they did last week.
Auburn officials call to stop the statue of Malzahn that they already ordered.
Hogs 41
WDE's 31
HOGS 45
AUBURN 14
Wow! Bunch of homers on here and that is certainly ok. I am going to help you out by predicting an Auburn win. Prognostication is iffy at best in the SEC unless you are pulling for top tier teams and even that is iffy as Florida found out last year in SEC.
Auburn certainly has the superior talent (if one believes the star system). I think Tubby was playing psychology by predicting his talent would roll, but I agree with him. Arkansas 20
Auburn 47
Now that should guarantee an Arkansas win! I still do not have faith in Arkansas' running game and defense. And if Mallett gets lots of pressure it will be a tough night for him.
Anyone know who is the head coach of Auburn?
Chizik.Hey is the one that fans booed when he got off the plane. Not they are going to act like they love him.
Hilarious.
On Tubby. You see he said in AR that it would be a close game and then on the Auburn radio said that about us being bottom tier and losing by 3 TDs. The guy is a joke. JOKE!
But thanks for giving some of the players extra locker room material like they needed any.
War Eagle flies high until it turns into a tiger and falls to it's death……
Birdcats 24
HOGS 38
Give up on the mascot thing. Auburn has one mascot, the tiger. They have a cheer, war eagle. Auburn is the self-described "Loveliest village on the plain" (though it is about one the crappiest towns in the South) and so call anyone who goes there a plainsman. I think we have an inferiority complex because we have a hillbilly mascot.
Hogs: 37
Tigers: 23
Tiger's balance keeps Hogs D at bay (hope I'm wrong!)
Arkansas 38
Auburn 48
GO HOGS GO!
Malazahn is good, but Petrino is the man in this house! What problems on defense?
Hogs 38
Auburn 14
uvahog,
Your membership in the HoG Nation is hereby under indefinite suspension. You are placed on probation until the end of the 2009 season when your status will be reviewed with an eye towards evaluating your 'Hog Conduct' from the time this suspension was implemented. Use your time wisely.
The Review Panel found the following comment to be most egregious and damning:
"I think we have an inferiority complex because we have a hillbilly mascot."
'hillbilly' indeed! 'Inferiority complex'?! Let the Penance begin!
Hey, I'm an alumnus and a lifelong fan. But when half the board harps on Auburn's supposed mascot identity confusion, Freud tells us to see if we have a problem with ourselves, if you know what I mean. I'm fine with it as I don't have a problem with Auburn's mascot and cheer. As to the hillbilly thing, I mean the only mascot more hillbilly would to be the Red Bugs or the Kissin' Cousins perhaps. I love our mascot, though. How boring to be the Tigers. I hope the panel finds my Freudian penance sufficient.
Even with all the fuss, Gus will be glad to get back on the bus after the Hogs win:
Hogs: 46
War Tigers: 39
Well, lets start off by this arkasas has a 2-2 record (0-2) in the sec while auburn, has a 5-0 record (2-0) in the sec. including a huge road game against tennessee. which is louder then arkasas, we have a 3-0 record in fayetville. I think auburn comes away with a huge win.
Auburn 49
Arkansas 28
the fact that you could call a win over UT this year a huge win makes me think you guys are in for an ass whooping. Who cares how loud the stadium is? Its about talent and scheme on the field.
If your team thinks they accomplished more last week than it will take to win this week then it should be a fun afternoon for us. You guys think you've discovered a magic formula, and the truth is there is no such thing in college football. Tubs wasn't a bad coach, even though it has become stylish to say that he was and your shortcomings don't just go away with a new staff. You've played nobody and with Arkansas, Bama, Ole MIss, Ga., and LSU still on your schedule I think you will in the end find yourself a hair better than last year, maybe. Having said all of that. I think you guys are playing good ball and we've still got some things to figure out so it should be a good game. Good luck and enjoy.
Your big win at UT was against a marginal team at best that has struggled in many ways. The fact that it was close is an indicator you may not be ready for this one. It should be fun!
Arkansas has not played well against Auburn in Fayetteville for some reason. And even some of the better Hog teams have had trouble putting up points in Fayetteville against the Tigers. That trend should end this year, but I'm still skeptical. I'm think this one plays out a lot like last year's Tulsa game — lots of yards but not as many points as many expect — but I have a bad feeling the Hogs give up the big play (turnover, kick return, something) late this go around.
Hogs 23
Tigers 33
"I hope the panel finds my Freudian penance sufficient."
After reconvening the Panel for an emergency session (the dog was tough to find but the two cats were easy…;^), it has been decided that uvahog will be reinstated to the Hog Nation. Mitigating factors: the promptness of the mea culpa and the adroitness with which it was delivered (though the cats did back up some on that last Tigers comment, they were eventually persuaded). Welcome back, Alumnus! Now Go Root On Those Hogs!!!!
Hogs: 49
Gus and co.: 48
The clock runs out on someone. I hope it's the team with lots of names/mascots.
Hogs progressed last week defensively. If they continue to progress Hogs win
Hogs 35
Tigers 32
Evenly Matched. Hogs coming off big win against Texas A&M. Hogs sneak one out
Hogs-38
Tigers-34
Gus has his new team rolling, but enough not on own turf! Hogs win a big game finally at home.
Go Hogs Go!
Ark 39
Auburn 29
My fingers are crossed. Go Hogs!
Not sure if I won, but wanted to make sure my correct email was on a post.
Did you notice that Auburn's offense looked like a high school offense against our defense? It really did.