Tagged: Texas A&M

Arkansas Razorback’s 2012 College Football Schedule Should Yield another 10-win Season


On Wednesday the University of Arkansas athletic department released a tentative 2012 college football schedule, a schedule that should give the Razorbacks their third 10-win season in a row.

Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino is leading Razorback fans into uncharted waters. The Razorbacks have never had three straight seasons of 10 or more wins. After back-to-back 10-win seasons in 2010 and 2011, Petrino has the Hogs on the cusp of the college football elite.

The most prolific era of Razorback football in terms of wins came from 1985-1989 under former head coach Ken Hatfield. During that five-year span the Hogs won 48 games with 13 losses posting two back-to-back 10 win seasons in 1988 and 1989 for only the second time in school history – 1964 11 wins and 1965 10 wins.

Previewing the 2012 schedule coupled with the amount of talent the Hogs have returning, 10-wins should be attainable next season.

The Hogs start the 2012 college football season off with Jacksonville State on September 1, in Fayetteville followed by another non-conference game against Louisiana-Monroe. The Hogs then begin SEC play at home against Alabama on September 15.

After the Alabama game the Hogs have an opportunity to fill the following weekend versus a non-conference team or have an open date.

The next three opponents include Texas A&M and Auburn on the road and then back home to face Kentucky.

October 20, is another weekend the Razorbacks can leave as an open date or fill against a non-conference opponent.

Starting on October 27, The Hogs have back-to-back home games against Ole Miss and Tulsa before going on the road to face South Carolina and Mississippi State.

As the schedule is currently laid out, Arkansas will host LSU on Saturday November 24, instead of on Friday the day after Thanksgiving. CBS has traditionally aired the Battle for the Golden Boot on Friday. Should CBS pick up the game again in 2012 the game day could be moved.

For now it appears that South Carolina will remain Arkansas’ annual SEC East opponent as former Big 12 conference foes, Texas A&M and Missouri, will be paired against one another as SEC Divisional rivals.

The Razorbacks keep A&M on the schedule but no longer as a non-conference game. The site of the game has not been confirmed. The Arkansas athletic department has let it be known that they would like to keep their game against the Aggies in Arlington, Texas at the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium instead of alternating venues.

The Razorbacks rotate Vanderbilt off their schedule and lose the backend of the home-and-away matchup against SEC East rival Tennessee in 2012.

The two big games on Arkansas’ schedule appear to be Alabama and LSU, either team will be the defending 2011 BCS National Champion.

Alabama is the lone SEC West opponent Petrino has not defeated as head coach of the Razorbacks. Not counting the potential loss of underclassmen, the Tide’s football team is set to lose 24 total players off this season’s BCS National Championship Title team – 11 offensive players, 12 defensive, and 1 on special teams.

LSU is slated to lose 21 total players to graduation – 9 on offense, 9 on defense, and 3 on special teams.

Arkansas will lose 20 to graduation – 7 offense and 13 on defense.

The Razorbacks will have a tough time replacing senior wide receivers Joe Adams, Greg Childs, and Jarius Wright. Petrino will also have to replace Grant Freeman and Grant Cook along the offensive line.

On defense, new defensive coordinator Paul Haynes will have an even tougher time replacing defensive end Jake Bequette, cornerback Isaac Madison, safety Tramain Thomas, and linebackers Jerrico Nelson and Jerry Franklin after their collegiate eligibility is finished.

A saving grace for Petrino is he could have two Heisman Trophy candidates, quarterback Tyler Wilson and running back Knile Davis, on offense in 2012 to lead the Razorbacks to another 10-win season or more.

 

The Arkansas Razorback 2012 Schedule

Jacksonville State, September 1, Home

Louisana Monroe, September 8, Home

Alabama, September 15, Home

Open Date, TBD

Texas A&M, September 29, TBD

Auburn, Auburn, AL

Kentucky, Home

Open Date, TBD

Ole Miss, Home

Tulsa, Home

South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Mississippi State, Starkville, MS

LSU, Home

College Football: Week 12 Shows that the Big 12 Conference is Weak


 

The loss by No. 2 Oklahoma State and No. 5 Oklahoma this weekend sends an overdue wakeup call to the rest of the nation that the Big 12 is a weak conference this year.

 

All OSU had to do is win one game against an unranked team. The unranked team they had to beat owned a record of 2-4 in conference and 5-4 overall entering the game. This was an unranked team that lost four straight games to Texas, Baylor, Missouri, and Texas A&M earlier in the year. No. 2 Oklahoma State lost to an Iowa State team that held on for a 13-10 home win over 2-9 University of Kansas the week before.

 

Not surprising, this is not the first team in the Big 12 with a Top 10 ranking to fall to an unranked team this season. This loss was actually worse than Oklahoma State’s. No. 3 Oklahoma lost at home to Texas Tech 45-40 October 22.

 

Texas Tech was 4-2 entering the game with back-to-back losses in-conference to Texas A&M and Kansas State at home. Since beating Oklahoma, the 5-6 Red Raiders have lost four in a row.

 

Wait,Oklahomadid it again. Ranked in the Top 10, OU fell to a team that had not been ranked in the Top 25 in over five weeks? No. 5 Oklahoma upset loss to No. 25 Baylor Saturday night to help further prove that the 2011 Big 12 conference is overrated and weak. There are no dominate teams in conference.

 

What’s the problem in Big 12 country? Is parity in a tough conference the reason why the teams are cannibalizing each other within the Big 12?

 

Based off preseason rankings… no, the Big 12 is not that tough of a conference.

 

Preseason rankings included four teams from the Big 12 in the AP Top 25 and five in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Oklahoma was ranked No. 1 in both polls.

 

Of the four teams ranked in the AP preseason only two of those teams are currently ranked Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. Texas A&M and Missouri are no longer ranked. Texas was the fifth team ranked in the preseason USA Today Coaches’ Poll. Texas is also no longer ranked in either poll as of end of week 12.

 

What about K State?

 

KansasStatehas been one of the bigger surprise teams in the nation. The Wildcats won their first seven games of the season and was ranked as high as No. 10 in the nation. During their seven-game winning streak the only ranked team they beat was then No. 15 Baylor. The other two ranked teams KSU has played this year ended in defeats to OU and OSU. Not really an impressive record.

 

In times like these Big 12 conference apologist will turn to the non-conference schedule to settle the debate. What marquee victory can show that the Big 12 is truly a power conference and parity is the reason for the upset losses?

 

Here’s the list of Big 12 teams versus other power conference teams: Iowa State beat 7-4 Iowa and 4-6 Connecticut, Kansas State beat 6-5 Miami, Oklahoma State beat 2-8 Arizona, Texas beat 6-5 UCLA. The biggest win would have to be Oklahoma’s win over 7-4 Florida State.

 

What about Big 12 losses in non-conference games?

 

Texas A&M lost to 10-1 Arkansas, Kansas lost to 8-3 Georgia Tech, and Missouri lost to 6-5 Arizona State.

 

We could add Mountain West or Conference USA wins to pad the victories we can but this is about being a power conference with quality wins.

 

Strength of schedule rankings that exists for college football fans should have no part of this clear cut point of view. The difficulty of the Big 12 schedule is not that difficult. Florida State was the only ranked power conference team that was defeated by a Big 12 school and now FSU is 7-4.

 

Hopefully voters, the media, and college football fans will come to understand that no matter how one looks at it, the Big 12 is not an elite conference this year.

 

This year’s Bedlam Series will be hyped by the media but will prove nothing that we do not already know about the Big 12, it’s a weak conference.

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 9


  1. LSU
  2. Alabama
  3. Oklahoma State
  4. Clemson
  5. Boise State
  6. Stanford
  7. Arkansas
  8. Oregon
  9. Kansas State
  10. Michigan State
  11. Wisconsin
  12. Texas A&M
  13. Nebraska
  14. Oklahoma
  15. Virginia Tech
  16. South Carolina
  17. Houston
  18. Georgia
  19. USC
  20. Michigan
  21. Texas Tech
  22. Arizona State
  23. Southern Mississippi
  24. TCU
  25. Cincinnati

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 8


 

  1. LSU 7-0
  2. Alabama 7-0
  3. Oklahoma 6-0
  4. Wisconsin 6-0
  5. Boise State6-0
  6. Oklahoma State 6-0
  7. Arkansas5-1
  8. Clemson 7-0
  9. Oregon5-1
  10. Stanford 6-0
  11. Kansas State6-0
  12. Nebraska 5-1
  13. South Carolina 6-1
  14. West Virginia 5-1
  15. Virginia Tech 6-1
  16. Texas A&M 4-2
  17. Michigan State 5-1
  18. Georgia Tech 6-1
  19. Houston 6-0
  20. Georgia 5-2
  21. Auburn 5-2
  22. USC 5-1
  23. Washington 5-1
  24. Michigan 6-1
  25. Illinois 6-1

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week 7


  1. LSU 6-0
  2. Alabama 6-0
  3. Oklahoma 5-0
  4. Wisconsin 5-0
  5. Boise State 5-0
  6. Oklahoma State 5-0
  7. Arkansas 5-1
  8. Clemson 6-0
  9. Stanford 5-0
  10. Oregon 4-1
  11. Michigan 6-0
  12. Georgia Tech 6-0
  13. Nebraska 5-1
  14. West Virginia 5-1
  15. South Carolina 5-1
  16. Illinois 6-0
  17. Virginia Tech 5-1
  18. Arizona State 5-1
  19. Kansas State 5-0
  20. Texas 5-1
  21. Baylor 5-1
  22. USC 4-1
  23. Houston 6-0
  24. Wake Forest 4-1
  25. Texas A&M 3-2

College Football: How Week 5 upsets will affect the rest of the Season


The ACC, Big 12, and SEC races became a little more defined this weekend. More importantly the national championship and bowl picture is starting to take shape.

 

Clemson, Arkansas, and Kansas State made loud statements that they are contenders in their respective conferences and on the national stage. Virginia Tech, Texas A&M, andSouth Carolina have major strides to make to regain their national prominence.

 

What happens to the pretenders and how long will these contenders stay?

 

 

Clemson

 

Clemson has answered the call three times this year against Top 25 teams and has come out the other side victorious; No. 21 Auburn 38-24, No. 11 Florida State 35-30, and at No. 11 Virginia Tech 23-3 in consecutive weeks.

 

All three wins hold significance in different ways on the national scene. Auburn was riding a 17-game winning streak and the defending BCS National Champions. Florida State was a unanimous preseason top 10 team, touted as a possible BCS National Championship contending team, and picked to win the ACC. Virginia Tech was the Tigers first road test against a Top 25 team and undefeated going into their matchup.

 

Key Player

 

If you have not seen Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd play yet, do yourself a favor and set the DVR for Clemson’s next game. Going into the Virginia Tech game Boyd was ranked 12th in the NCAA in total offense with 327.50 yards per game. Boyd’s 313.75 passing yards per game with 14 touchdown passes and only two interceptions will start to merit serious Heisman talk as the season progresses.

 

2011 Outcome

 

Head coach Dabo Swinney has his Tigers believing and playing at a high level. This team, dare we say it, could go undefeated.

 

The toughest games left on the schedule are against North Carolina at home, No. 13 Georgia Tech on the road, and they finish the season against in-state rival No. 18 South Carolina.

 

During Clemson’s 6-7 2010 season they played tough with UNC (21-16), beat Georgia Tech (27-13), and lost the Battle of the Palmetto State (29-17).

 

Should the Tigers win the Atlantic Division their ACC Title Game could have them in a rematch game against Coastal Division winner Georgia Tech or No. 21 Virginia Tech.

 

An undefeated regular season is within the Tigers reach making them a legitimate contender in 2011.

 

Worst case scenario is an Orange Bowl bid come January 4.

 

 

Arkansas

 

If one only follows the Razorback’s by their headlines then your perception could be tainted towards their 2011 team. “Escaping Troy”, “Bad loss to Alabama”, and “Comeback victory over Texas A&M” does not tell their full story. The Razorbacks have battled through injuries to three of their top running backs and lost four starters on defense at different points during the season and for multiple games.

 

Through all of the injuries somehow the Razorbacks have managed a 5-1 record with a No. 10 national ranking and a promising season ahead.

 

Key Player

 

Junior quarterback Tyler Wilson is the easy choice for the Razorbacks. Wilson is a first year starter for the Hogs and has taken to the role quickly. His 305.60 total yards of offense per game and quarterback rating of 154.32 ranks him second in the SEC behind Tennessee’s Tyler Bray.

 

Wilson has missed a game’s worth of snaps due to early Razorback leads and concussion like symptoms versus the University of New Mexico, still, he leads the SEC in passing yards (7th in the nation) with 1,517 yards, second in the SEC with 10 passing touchdowns with only three interceptions in 172 attempts.

 

2011 Outcome

 

Arkansas plays No. 15 Auburn this weekend in Reynolds Razorback Stadium; their third straight Top 25 team. After the Auburn game, the Hogs will only face two more teams that are currently ranked in the AP Top 25; South Carolina at home and LSU inBaton Rouge. The Razorbacks won both matchups last season beating USC 41-20 and LSU 31-23.

 

The Razorbacks have a legitimate shot at running the table until the LSU game which should place them in the top five by seasons end.

 

Can Arkansas beat LSU?

 

Yes. Since 2005 Arkansas and LSU have split their series 3-3. 21 total points separates the winning team from the losing team with Arkansas having the largest winning margin, winning by 8 points in 2010 in Little Rock, Arkansas. That’s a 3.5 average margin of victory between the two schools.

 

Only problem is their loss toAlabama. Bama’s schedule is easy the rest of the season. Their only tough game left is a November 5, visit from LSU.

 

This places Arkansas best case scenario in another BCS game but not playing for the national championship making them an outside shot to be a contender in 2011. Worst case scenario is the Outback Bowl on January 2.

 

 

Kansas State

 

For the second year in a row Bill Snyder has Kansas State starting their season 4-0. Last year the Wildcats went 3-6 over their last nine games including a 36-34 Pinstripe Bowl loss to Syracuse in Yankee Stadium.

 

Now KSU is ranked 20th in the nation after a 28-24 victory at Miami and a 36-35 home win over No. 16 Baylor. Will the Wildcats be able to reverse their fortunes from a year ago?

 

Key Player

 

Collin Klein, a junior, is the heart and soul of the Wildcats team. He may not be the prototypical quarterback but he’s been getting the job done.

 

Klein is last in the Big 12 in passing yards (481), touchdowns thrown (6), and completion percentage. He leads all Big 12 quarterbacks in times sacked with 10 and his 121.40 quarterback rating is second worst in the conference to Iowa State’s Steele Jantz (111.50).

 

On the upside his 423 total rushing yards is fourth best in the conference and his 226 total yards of offense per game ranks him 58th in FBS. All pedestrian numbers but at the end of the day Kansas State is 4-0.

 

Outcome

 

The Wildcat defense ranks 16th in the nation, second in the Big 12 toTexas, in total defense only allowing 292 yards per game. Their stingy defense only gives up an average of 16.50 points per game, 17th best in FBS.

 

If the Wildcats can continue to run the ball as effectively have they have, 212.25 yards per game, and their defense continues to limit the opposition’s scoring opportunities Bill Snyder and company can have an eight or nine win season.

 

KSU has a four game stretch that will determine their season. Their biggest test starts with Oklahoma on October 29 at home followed by a visit to Stillwater, home against A&M, and finishing with a visit to Austin.

 

Look for KSU to be a pretender in 2011. A Holiday Bowl or Alamo Bowl could be in their future.

 

 

Virginia Tech

 

Virginia Tech’s season is almost half way over and they have only played one team to date. That game netted them a 23-3 home loss to Clemson.

 

Winning warm-up games against Appalachian State 66-13, East Carolina 17-10, Arkansas State 26-7, and Marshall 30-10 has puffed up the Hokies record but has done little to help them gain national respect or to prepare their team for ACC play.

 

By virtue of their schedule the Hokies only play one more team that is currently ranked, No. 13 Georgia Tech. Games at Wake Forest and at home against North Carolina could upend their season.

 

Key Player

 

Since Virginia Tech has only played one team to date, the player that stood out against Clemson is their key player. Running back David Wilson rushed 20 times for 123 yards and caught two passes for 21-yards.Wilsonis averaging 127.80 rushing yards per game, 7th best in FBS. Wilson has only found the end zone five times in 107 rushing attempts.

 

Outcome

 

Virginia Tech always excels on defense and special teams. The Hokies defense kept Tajh Boyd well under his 313-yards passing per game holding him to 204-yards.

 

Their schedule seems easy but since they’ve only played one game this year who knows how good they could end up being?

 

The old saying that teams improve the most between their first and second game should hold up here. Even if the Hokies first game of the season was actually their fifth game.

 

The Hokies will lose two more games making them a pretender in 2011. Look for the Hokies to be in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta December 31.

 

 

Texas A&M

 

Two halves make a whole but Texas A&M has only played in the first half of their last two games. A&M has upended their own season by not finishing what they’ve started in back-to-back games against Top 25 teams. In losses to Oklahoma State and Arkansas, the Aggies have been outscored 52-12 in the second half and 31-0 in the third quarter.

 

OSU was down 20-3 at halftime inCollege Station. 27 unanswered points later and the Cowboys were up 30-20 half way through the fourth quarter. The final score was 30-29.

 

Against the Razorbacks, A&M was up 35-17 at half in Arlington, Texas. 25 second half points later the Hogs sealed a 42-38 comeback win.

 

Can the Aggies play complete games against upcoming Big 12 competition? Will their secondary be able to limit the oppositions passing attack?

 

Key Players

 

Running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Grey are one of the best running back tandems in college football. Michael averages 102-yards per game while Grey averages 90.75. The Aggies rushing attack is ranked 15th in the nation at 223.75 yards per game.

 

Outcome

 

The upside is the Aggies have a senior laden team. They should be able to fix their second half woes with a change in attitude.

 

Four games remain against teams currently ranked in the Top 25; versus No. 25 Baylor, at No. 3 Oklahoma, at No. 20 Kansas State, versus No. 11 Texas. With only one loss in conference, all hope is not lost on their 2011 season should A&M win out.

 

The downside is no Big 12 Title game. The loss of Colorado and Nebraska puts the Big 12 below the NCAA required 12 teams needed for a conference title game. Regardless if A&M were to win the rest of their games and OSU loses two conference games the Aggies will not have the ability to add another possible Top 25 win to their resume in a title game.

 

A&M should finish with two conference losses which makes them a pretender. A&M is looking at the Meineke Bowl in Houston, Texas come December 31.

 

 

South Carolina

 

The importance of a serviceable quarterback in college football can never be taken for granted. The Gamecock rushing attack, led by sophomore Marcus Lattimore, is averaging 197 yards per game. Their passing offense is ranked 102nd in the nation. The discrepancy on offense makes USC one dimensional and an easy game plan for SEC defensive coordinators.

 

Key Players

 

Everyone knows how great Lattimore is but USC needs wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, quarterback Stephen Garcia, and/or quarterback Connor Shaw to start playing well.

 

South Carolinacoach Steve Spurrier has benched Garcia after his 9 for 23, 160-passing yards, with one touchdown and two interception performance against Auburn in favor of Shaw. Garcia was sacked three times and led an offense that only converted 20 percent of their third down conversion attempts.

 

Outcome

 

South Carolina’s defense only allows an average of 24 points per game. That’s a respectable average but also misleading as they have not played a ranked team at the time of their game this season.

 

In a wide open SEC East, two conference losses can still land a team in the SEC Title Game. If South Carolina plays the way they did against Auburn all of their games will be tough for the rest of the season.

 

If they right the ship, their toughest game the rest of the season will be November 12, againstArkansas. The following week Florida comes to town, which looked like the SEC East game of the season until John Brantley was hurt against Alabama.

 

USC will lose two more games. At best the Gamecocks are looking at the Gator or Capitol One Bowl on January 2.

SEC College Football Preview: Looking Ahead to No. 15 Auburn vs. No. 10 Arkansas


How do you like your college football offense? Do you like watching a workhorse get 30-40 carries in a game? Or do you like watching a quarterback attempt 30-50 passes in a game? However you like your offense, the Auburn versus Arkansas game should fill your Saturday with plenty of excitement.

The Auburn Tigers

 

Auburn, the 2010 BCS National Champions, started the 2011 season with a comeback victory over Utah State 42-38 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers had to score twice in the final 2:07 of the game for the win and have been fighting for national respect every since.

 

The following game the Tigers extended their winning streak to 17-games with a home win against 16th ranked Mississippi State. Auburn’s defense stuffed MSU quarterback Chris Relf with 10 seconds to play at the goal line to hold on for a 41-34 victory. Still, no respect was given toAuburn. Everyone was waiting for an Auburn collapse as they only had five-starters returning from last year’s team.

 

Unranked Clemson brought Auburn back to reality with a 14-point beating in Death Valley. Finally the real Tiger team was exposed and no more late game heroics could save them. Or did Auburn just happen to lose 38-24 on the road to a really good team?

 

Clemson has won three straight games over ranked opponents and are now ranked 8th in the nation.

 

Auburnwas given an “adjustment game” against Florida Atlantic, winning 30-14, before starting a tough four-game conference schedule against teams that are all featured in the Associated Press Top 25; at South Carolina, at Arkansas, versus Florida, at LSU.

 

Auburn fans would hope for a 2-2 record through this tough stretch. Auburn players are wanting more than that, they’re for real and they want the rest of the world to take notice.

 

The Tigers had nothing to lose but everything to gain when facing No. 10 South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium in week five action. The game would be a matchup of two of the top running backs in the SEC and in the nation, Auburn’s Michael Dyer andSouth Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore.

 

Auburn’s late game heroics were far from over. A nine-yard Barrett Trotter touchdown pass with 1:38 left in the game would give the Tiger’s a 16-13 win.

 

Michael Dyer would win the running back battle over Lattimore finishing the game with 141-yards and one touchdown while setting an Auburn rushing attempts record with 41 carries. Lattimore finished the game with 66-yards on 17 attempts and one score.

 

The Arkansas Razorbacks

 

How many injuries does it take to derail a promising Arkansas Razorback football season?

 

One injury was thought to be enough when All-SEC running back Knile Davis was lost for the season with a left ankle injury during fall practices. Much was expected of Davis after he rushed for 1,322 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in what seemed like only half of a season last year.

 

Even with quarterback Ryan Mallett departed to the NFL along with three offensive linemen and their Mackey Award wining tight end, D.J. Williams, Arkansas was given national respect because of Davis and Bobby Petrino’s offense. After the injury to Davis, Petrino was left with the task of finding another offensive option. Now college football fans are aware of Tyler Wilson.

 

Wilsonhas been more than impressive as the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks. With limited action in his first two starts, Wilson is still leading the SEC in passing yards (7th in the nation) with 1,517 yards, second in the SEC with 10 passing touchdowns and only three interceptions in 172 attempts.

 

Wilson’s go-to receiver, Jarius Wright, leads the SEC with 28 receptions and in receiving yards with 478. Wright’s 119.50 receiving yards per game is 10th best in college football.

 

The Razorbacks had other injuries to deal with on offense other than Knile Davis. Second string running back Broderick Green, a senior, was thought to be lost for the season when he tore his ACL during spring practices. Dennis Johnson, a 2009 All-American as a kick-off returner, was hurt during the first game of the 2010 season missing the rest of the year. Johnson did not play in the first three games of this season and had limited action against Alabama while recovering from a hamstring injury.

 

Arkansas started the season with three wins in their non-conference warm-up games; Missouri State 51-7, New Mexico 52-3, and Troy 38-28. Through the first three games Arkansas was never able to find a rhythm at running back with junior running back Ronnie Wingo Jr. as the starter.

 

Wingo rushed for 43-yards against Missouri State, 73-yards against New Mexico, and 109-yards and two touchdowns against Troy. On short yardage or goal line plays Petrino was using true freshman Kody Walker (Jefferson City, Missouri) instead of Wingo.

 

Alabamawas able to limit Arkansas to 17-net yards rushing holding Wingo to 35-yards rushing on eleven attempts in a 38-14 loss.Arkansas’s offense had become one dimensional relying solely on the arm of Tyler Wilson.

 

Green and Johnson both made major contributions against Texas A&M which could be the turning point to the Razorback season. Johnson and Green were able to gain critical first downs in the second half using their tough and physical running styles. Green added two rushing touchdowns, his second touchdown proved to be the winning score for the Razorbacks.

 

Arkansas’ injury problems have not stopped with the offense.Arkansashas been without both of their starting defensive ends Jake Bequette (missed three games) and Tenarius Wright (injured against Alabama, out 4-6 weeks). Starting cornerbacks Issac Madison (injured against Alabama, did not play against Texas A&M) and Darius Winston (injured during the Texas A&M game) have both missed significant game time. Junior college transfer Robert Thomas, a defensive lineman, was hurt against Texas A&M as well.

 

Arkansas’ early season has seen Petrino and defensive coordinator Willy Robinson plug and play around key injuries and inexperience on both sides of the ball. Through it all, Arkansas is now ranked 10th in the nation after a 42-38 victory over Texas A&M.

 

 

Key Match-ups: Auburn vs. Arkansas

 

Can Arkansas stop Auburn’s top running back, Michael Dyer?

 

Arkansas gave up 381-rushing yards to Texas A&M; Christine Michael 230, Cyrus Grey 95. Alabama ran for 197-net yards against the Hogs; Trent Richardson 126 yards, Eddie Lacy 61.

 

Arkansas’ rushing defense is ranked 82nd in the nation allowing 168.20 yards per game.

 

Dyer is third in the SEC in total rushing yards with 567 and third in rushing touchdowns with seven. His 113.40 rushing yards per game ranks him 18th in the nation.

 

Arkansas is expecting defensive end Jake Bequette and cornerback Issac Madison to return against Auburn which should help their overall defensive performance. The Hogs will still be without defensive tackle Robert Thomas and cornerback Darius Winston.

 

Even if the Razorbacks are at full strength would they be able to slow down Dyer?

 

 

Can Auburn stop Arkansas’ passing attack?

 

The Tiger defense is ranked 74th in the nation in pass defense allowing 232.80 yards per game. The only true passing teamAuburnhas faced this season is Clemson. Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd threw for 386-yards and four touchdowns against Auburn.

 

The Razorbacks are 16th in the nation in scoring offense averaging 39.40 points per game.

 

Jarius Wright (478), Cobi Hamilton (318), and Joe Adams (235) are all ranked in the top 15 in the SEC for total yards receiving.

 

Will the young and inexperienced Tiger secondary be able to keep up with the Razorbacks wide receiving unit?

 

Tiger cornerback Chris Davis was held out of the South Carolina game due to an ankle injury. Auburn will need every available body healthy come Saturday.

 

 

Recent Series History

 

Over the last five years Arkansas holds 3-2 series lead over Auburn. Auburn has been ranked at the time of each game including their 2006 meeting at Jordan-Hare Stadium when Auburn was ranked second in the nation. This will be the second straight year that both teams are ranked at the time of their game and the first time the Razorbacks are ranked ahead of the Tigers.

 

2010 (12) Arkansas43 at (7) Auburn 65

2009 (17) Auburn 23 at Arkansas 44

2008 Arkansas 25 at (20) Auburn 22

2007 (22) Auburn 9 at Arkansas 7

2006 Arkansas 27 at (2) Auburn 10

 

* Rankings in parenthesis

 

Inside the Game

 

Auburn has two prized 5-star recruits from the state of Arkansas on their roster, true sophomore running back Michael Dyer (Little Rock Christian) and true freshman quarterback Kiehl Frazier (Shiloh Christian, Springdale). Auburn has been using Frazier in the Wildcat formation for a change of pace on offense.

Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is a former Arkansas high school football coach (Shiloh Christian) and was the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas in 2006.

 

Outcome

 

Both teams are coming off upset wins in their previous game. Arkansas over then ranked No. 14 Texas A&M 42-38 and Auburn over then ranked No. 10 South Carolina 16-13.

Was Auburn’s defense against South Carolina a sign of their maturation or a poorly executed offensive game plan by USC?

The Tigers will take credit for three Stephen Garcia sacks and his two interceptions. Garcia completed 39 percent of his passes finishing with a total of 160-yards passing; and lost his starting job in the process. Don’t look for Wilson to have similar results.

Marcus Lattimore was held to 66-yards rushing with one score. The Gamecocks also fumbled the ball three times losing two while finishing the game 2 for 10 on third down conversion attempts.

The Razorback defense had only allowed one rushing touchdown prior to the A&M game. A&M had an amazing first half racking up 404 yards of offense and 35 points. Through all of the defensive injuries, Willy Robinson made the correct halftime defensive adjustments making the second half a different game. Arkansas limited the Aggies to 3 second half points.

 

The ability to pick up short yardage first downs with the run and control the clock with the running game in the fourth quarter is something the Razorbacks have been missing. Arkansas appears to have found their power running game with the return of Dennis Johnson and Broderick Green.

 

Auburn wide receiver Emory Blake did not play a full second half against South Carolina. His ability to play will help shape Auburn’s offensive attack. Auburn is already one dimensional with Michael Dyer. If Blake cannot play Arkansas will be able to stack the box against Dyer.

 

Auburn’s 74th ranked scoring defense yields 27.40 points per game.

Arkansas’ defense only allows 22.80 points per game ranking 48th in FBS.

 

Final Score

Dyer runs but not enough as Tyler Wilson exploits the Tiger’s secondary for a 38-24 win.

College Football: Picking Every SEC Game in Week 5


The SEC rolls out another slate of BCS Championship caliber games in week five of the 2011 season.Alabamatravels to the Swamp to face Florida, Arkansas plays Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas, and Georgia tries to get their season on track against Mississippi State.

 

No. 1 LSU welcomes Kentucky,Tennessee comes off a bye to face Buffalo, Auburn travels to No. 10 South Carolina, and Ole Miss looks for their running game at Fresno State.

 

Vanderbilt (3-1) has a bye week. The Commodores travel to Alabama October 8.

 

 

Alabama (4-0, 3-1) versus Florida (4-0, 1-0)

 

There are several key SEC match-ups this week but none more important than the outcome of the No. 3 Alabama versus No. 12 Florida game. This game should shape how the conference races in both SEC divisions play out.

 

An Alabama win keeps them on pace with preseason SEC West favorite LSU. A loss by Alabama puts LSU in the driver’s seat until their November 5, game against LSU inTuscaloosa.

 

A Florida win keeps the Gators on pace withSouth Carolinain the SEC East. A loss by Florida followed by a road trip to LSU could put the Gators out of control of their own destiny for the rest of the season.

 

Both teams play tough defense and are committed to stopping the run. Alabama and Florida use a tandem running back rotation opposing defenses have to account for. Bama uses Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy whileFloridauses Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. The Crimson Tide averages 230.75 rushing yards per game and the Gators average 259 yards per game.

 

Alabama’s defense only gives up 45.75 rushing yards per game. Florida gives up 56.50.

 

Which team will be able to run the ball better and complete critical third down passing conversions when needed?

 

Both teams have a similar third down conversion rate as well; Bama 41.18, Gators 42.55.

 

Who wins this one in a tight matchup? Bama won last year’s game 31-6. This one goes down to the wire with the Tide winning 24-18.

 

Arkansas (3-1, 0-1) versus Texas A&M (3-1)

 

In a non-conference, but soon to be conference showdown in 2012, No. 14 Texas A&M takes on No. 18 Arkansas in the Southwest Classic.

 

Much will be made about this game one way or another… either A&M does not belong in the SEC by fans boycotting their acceptance into the SEC or this is a preview of things to come with an A&M victory.

 

Both sides are banged up on defense thus very little knowledge about either team will be gathered from this game. The Aggies could be without three starters on defense; S Steven Campbell, CB Coryell Judie, and DL Jonathan Mathis. DB Louie Swope could miss the game as well.

 

The Razorbacks will be without starting defensive end Tenarius Wright (arm) and possibly their other starting defensive end Jake Bequette (hamstring). Issac Maddison hurt his knee in theAlabamagame but is expected to play this weekend.

 

The Razorback rushing attack could receive a boost if running back Broderick Green plays against the Aggies. Green tore his ACL during Arkansas spring practices and was expected to miss the rest of the season. Reports are he has been practicing for the past three weeks and is expected to take some snaps this weekend.Arkansaswill need him against the Aggies 7th rated rush defense (60.33 yards per game).

 

The key match up is Arkansas’ passing attack (312.25 yards per game) versus Texas A&M’s passing defense (279 yards per game; ranked 109th in the nation. A&M leads the nation in total sacks (14) and sacks per game (4.67). Can Tyler Wilson avoid the rush and find receivers down field? Or will A&M’s “Sack Attack” be too much for the Razorbacks inexperienced offensive line?

 

Arkansas won last year 24-17. Look for Arkansas to hold on for a 28-24 win this year.

 

 

Mississippi State (2-2, 0-2) versus Georgia (2-2, 1-1)

 

The Mississippi State versus Georgia game pits two teams with similar disappointing starts to their seasons.Georgiahad tough games against Boise State and South Carolina while MSU lost tough games to Auburn and LSU.

 

MSU has had injuries along their offensive line and have had difficulty replacing their linebacker unit from last season. Chris Relf did not play well against Louisiana Tech last week but did enough to secure the 26-20 overtime home win with the game winning touchdown pass.

 

Georgia has reversed their early season stumble with two convincing wins, one over SEC West foe Ole Miss last week 27-13 and Costal Carolina 59-0.

 

Georgia has had injury problems as well and has had to use walk-ons in key positions. Georgia is young and largely inexperienced. 2012 may be a breakout year for these Bulldogs but there is still hope to their 2011 season as they only have two top 25 teams left on the schedule.

 

Georgia’s commitment to starting true freshman Isaiah Crowell could be looked at as the turning point in their season. Crowell has responded with two 100-yard rushing games. Crowell will have to take the majority of the snaps as fellow running backs Carlton Thomas and Ken Malcome are not expected to play this weekend.

 

MSU OL Tobias Smith (knee, out for season) and LB Chris Hughes (disciplinary) will both be out against Georgia.

 

Georgia won last year’s match up 24-12. Look for this one to be tight too with Georgia taking the win at home 24-17.

 

 

Kentucky (2-2, 0-1) vs. LSU (4-0, 1-0)

 

Kentuckytravels toDeath Valley for their second game straight game out of three versus a top 25 foe. The Wildcats have the unfortunate task of playing LSU after two road trips; The Tiger faithful will be excited to have the number one team in the nation back home.

 

Kentucky’s offense has been non-existent. The loss of WR Randall Cobb, RB Derrick Locke, WR Chris Matthews, and QB Mike Hartline has been too much for Joker Phillips to replace; understandably so.

 

LSU’s defense has been lights out as needed against top tier offenses. Their offense has steadily improved under the direction of quarterback Jarrett Lee.

 

Perhaps the biggest question out of the Bayou Bengal camp is what will Les Miles do with Jordan Jefferson?

 

Jefferson has been reinstated by LSU afterBaton Rouge police lowered their charges to simple battery against Jefferson. Will Les integrate Jefferson back into the offense and eventually place him back into the lineup as a starter. Or will Miles keep a great thing going with Lee? Both players are seniors and have a lot left to prove to NFL scouts. A two headed quarterback rotation could spell disaster for the Tigers.

 

Kentucky has to hope they can catch LSU looking forward to next week’s game versus University of Florida otherwise the pairing of LSU’s 14th ranked scoring defense (14.25 points per game) against Kentucky’s 107th ranked scoring offense (17 points per game) will get ugly quick.

 

LSU wins this one before halftime: 42-10.

 

 

Auburn (3-1, 1-0) vs.South Carolina (4-0, 2-0)

 

Auburn rolls into South Carolina after an adjustment game against Florida Atlantic in week four. Auburn won easily (30-14) but serious questions remain about their defense.

 

South Carolina’s offense was shutdown for the first time this year against an upstart Vanderbilt team. The Gamecocks defense bailed the offense out as USC won 21-3.

 

Auburn and South Carolina’s offense are good at filling up the score board, 34.25 and 36.50 points per game respectively. The game will come down to either team’s defensive ability to stop the other team’s high potent offensive attacks. South Carolina gives up 27.75 points per game toAuburn’s 31 points per game.

 

Not much separates these teams by their schedules to date.

 

South Carolina’s rush defense gives up 137.75 yards per game, including a tough game against Navy’s rushing attack. Auburn gives up 226.50 yards per game; 112th worst in FBS.

 

This one is a shootout 42-31: Marcus Lattimore and Michael Dyer will put on a running back clinic. Lattimore gets the better of Dyer as South Carolina gets the win because they are playing at home and they can stop the run better than Auburn.

 

 

Mississippi (1-3, 0-2) vs. Fresno State (2-2)

 

Houston Nutt needs this win and boy does he need it badly if the Rebels have any hope to make a bowl game this season. The Rebels get a bye next week and then start the heart of their SEC schedule with Alabama and Arkansas coming to Oxford then back to back road trips to Auburn and Kentucky before finishing the season at home against LSU and at Mississippi State.

 

Fresno State has played an unbalanced schedule to date. The Bulldogs started the season off losing two road games to California 36-21 and Nebraska 42-29. Then Fresno State beat North Dakota 27-22 at home and won at Idaho 48-24. They have taken care of lesser competition to date.

 

Now Ole Miss comes to town, a team that beat them 55-38 in Oxford last year. Which team is Ole Miss this season, the lesser competition or a BCS Conference school?

 

Fresno State gives up 31 points per game while Ole Miss gives up 23.75 points.

 

Fresno State averages 31.25 points per game to Ole Miss’ 18.75 per game.

 

If Fresno State is able to limit the Rebels running game, which only averages 91.80 yards per game, the Bulldogs should walk away with another victory against a BCS power conference team for the fifth year in a row.

 

Ole Miss could be blessed with the return of their top two tailbacks, Brandon Bolden and Enrique Davis. Their status is a game time decision.

 

Fresno State will be without RB A.J. Ellis, DB Zak Hill, and OL Matt Hunt.

 

Ole Miss sneaks by 24-14.

 

 

Buffalo (1-3) versus Tennessee (2-1, 0-1)

 

Tennessee welcomes the Bulls to Knoxville after a bye week spent fixing offensive line issues and trying to limit big plays given up by their defense.

 

Tennessee had a frustrating 33-23 loss to Florida at the Swamp before their bye. Perhaps even more frustrating was the loss of wide receiver Justin Hunter for the season to a torn ACL in the Florida game. Hunter was Tyler Bray’s top target and a beast for opposing defensive coordinators to have to deal with.

 

Tennessee’s tune-up game against Buffalo is much needed before going on a brutal four game SEC stretch that includesGeorgia, LSU, Alabama, andSouth Carolina. Look for head coach Derek Dooley to give running backs Tauren Poole and Marlin Laneas many touches as he can to get the Vols rushing attack on track before their four-game October stretch.

 

Tennessee wins easily 35-7.

HogManInLA’s College Football Top 25: Week Four


  1. LSU
  2. Oklahoma
  3. Boise State
  4. Alabama
  5. Wisconsin
  6. Oklahoma State
  7. TexasA&M
  8. Nebraska
  9. South Carolina
  10. Florida State
  11. Virginia Tech
  12. Arkansas
  13. Oregon
  14. Stanford
  15. Florida
  16. Baylor
  17. South Florida
  18. USC
  19. Michigan
  20. Texas
  21. West Virginia
  22. Clemson
  23. TCU
  24. Illinois
  25. Missouri

2012 Houston College Classic Field Announced


The 12th Annual Houston College Classic lineup was announced today. University of Arkansas, University of Tennessee, University of Houston, Rice University, University of Texas, and Texas Tech University will compete in the round robin early season tournament. The three day tournament will be held at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.

The 2012 lineup features three teams that played in regionals, Arkansas, Texas, and Rice, with Texas advancing to the College World Series.

The 2011 lineup included: Baylor, Rice, Houston, Utah, Texas A&M, Kentucky. Utah came into the tournament 0-5 but managed to upset Texas A&M and Baylor while losing toKentuckyto tie at 2-1 for a share of the championship. Baylor also went 2-1 beating Houston and Rice.

Rice, the 8th seeded team in college baseball before regional play began, Baylor, and Texas A&M all made regional appearances with A&M making the trip to Omaha this year.

Pairings for the tournament have not been announced.

This will be the Razorbacks first appearance in the Houston Classic.