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BlogHawgs Heisman 5+1–11/21/11

Posted by Adam Butler on November 21, 2011

Special to BlogHawgs by Kris Boyd

WOOOOW.  Not only did every thrilling win/loss completely blast the Bowl Championship Series out of the water by creating a Southeastern Conference 1-2-3, but it also blew up the Blog Hawgs 5 +1. 

The +1 went back and forth since Saturday night as to whether to just bite the bullet and place Robert Griffin, III, all the way up to #1 or keep its rational head and place him at #2 or #3.  The +1 ignored the thoughts of submitting to the hype of “latest and greatest” and the talking heads’ “Andrew Luck has the body of work” rationale.  Welcome back to the top spot, RG3. 

RG3 had 1,201 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in Baylor’s three losses for goodness sake (which, oh-by-the-way, were all to ranked teams ).  

We see you Kendall Wright, David Wilson, Tyler Wilson and Matt Barkley.  We see you.

1.  Robert Griffin, III, QB, Baylor  Nobody has done more with less overall talent on his team than RG3 has.  Griffin flat out would not let Baylor lose to OU.  He was tired of losing and tired of losing to OU in particular.  Baylor is a below .500 team without RG3.  

3,572 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 5 interceptions, 72.9 % completion rate, 7-3 record

550 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns, 4.1 yards per carry

2.  Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford  Andrew got the W during an extremely wet and muddy game that usually stymies any semblance of a passing game.   

2,937 yards, 31 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 70.3 % completion rate, 10-1 record 

3. Case Keenum, QB, Houston It would have been very easy for Case to have a letdown game with all the hype that was surrounding this game (most everyone else did), but he didn’t.

4,269 yards, 38 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 73.4 % completion rate, 11-0 record

4.  Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State Blackmon was his usual outstanding self against Iowa State.  Most of his catches and runs were highlight worthy.

1,241 yards, 15 touchdowns, 12.0 yards per catch, 10-1 record

5.  Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Trent put up his usual great numbers, albeit against an awful team.  Trent will drop out of the +1 if he has an average to below average game in the Iron Bowl.

1,380 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5.8 yards per carry, 10-1 record

+1.  Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State  Brandon, Brandon, Brandon *shaking head*.  The +1 has pumped you for two years, now.  We had your back when nobody knew who you were.  Now everyone knows who you are; and you will be known as that 28 year old quarterback who choked away a game to a 28 point underdog that cost your team a chance to play for a National Championship.

4,111 yards, 34 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 73.0 % completion rate, 10-1 record

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Select 17 – Week 13

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 21, 2011

It all comes down to this.

For the first time since 1969, the Arkanas Razorbacks have a chance to knock off the #1 team in the country on the season’s final game and ensure the Hogs spot in the National Championship game.  The closest thing we’ve seen in these parts since The Big Shootout was 1988, when the #8 Hogs lost at #3 Miami (yet another heartbreaker) in a game that could have inserted Arkansas into the title discussion.  However, that was long before the BCS guaranteed a matchup of #1 v. #2 for all the marbles.  While there is still a bit of gray area here, a win over the #1 team in the land on the last weekend of the regular season should just about sew up the bid to the BCS Championship Game. 

This week you will hear all sorts of theories and predictions.  The anti-SEC sentiment will be loud, so prepare yourselves.  Do not get distracted.  As we learned this weekend, winning is the most important thing out there.  If you win, you advance in the discussion.  The biggest lesson to be learned from this weekend – one of the best college football weekends in recent memory – is this: Anything can happen.  Arkansas could definitely beat LSU.  Auburn could definitely beat Alabama.  Or the favorties could just as easily roll this weekend, eliminating much of the debate.

It’s a holiday week.  Don’t let Brad Edwards, Kirk Herbstreit, and the other national blowhards ruin your Thanksgiving.  If the #3 team in the nation beats the #1 team in the nation – at their house – on the final weekend of the regular season, it’s a pretty safe bet that the #3 team will punch a ticket to the title game.  Winning takes care of everything.  Enjoy your family and let Bobby Petrino worry about getting the Hogs into the program’s biggest game in 47 years.

I’d be remiss at this point not to mention the death of redshirt freshman Garrett Uekman.  This young man’s passing is a sobering reminder of how delicate life is.  Personally I take it as a reminder that this thing we love, college football, is but a piece in the greater puzzle of life.  It is a reminder for me to choose to celebrate the fact that Arkansas is in position to play for a title rather than to worry about what others may think.  We often forget to enjoy these moments because we spend so much energy worrying about “What’s Next?” when we have no control over it.  Rest in peace, Garrett. 

One thing we do control here at BlogHawgs.com is our weekly Select 17 poll.  For the first time all season, the top 3 teams are unanimous by all voters.  We may have been ahead of the curve compared to our national colleagues, but it’s nice to see them all catch up.  Oklahoma proved to be a fraud, Oregon showed it was flawed, and Oklahoma State said, “Oh my, God!” after taking it on the chin in Ames, Iowa, last Friday night.  Stanford, OSU, Boise State, and Virginia Tech are all lurking, waiting on the SEC West to fail.  Of that group, Stanford and Oklahoma State pose the biggest threat to disrupting an all-SEC party in New Orleans.  If Alabama wins the Iron Bowl, though, it’s hard to imagine anyone getting into that game that doesn’t reside in the country’s toughest football division.

To the poll…

Rank Team Votes LW
1 LSU (9) 153 1
2 Alabama 144 3
3 Arkansas 135 5
4 Stanford 119 8
5 Oklahoma St. 112 2
6 Virginia Tech 111 9
7 Houston 90 10
8 Boise St. 81 11
9 Oregon 77 4
10 Michigan St. 59 13
11 Georgia 55 12
12 Oklahoma   50 6
13 USC 48 NR
14 Wisconsin 44 15
15 South Carolina 38 14
16 Kansas St. 30 17
17 Michigan   14 NR

Others Receiving Votes:  Clemson 12, Baylor 5, Penn St. 1, TCU 1, Tulsa 1

 

 

Posted in Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

BlogHawgs Razorback Rewind–Mississippi State Game

Posted by Adam Butler on November 21, 2011

I should start by saying I am hesitant to even publish this post.

Less than 24 hours after Arkansas whipped Mississippi State 44-17 at War Memorial Stadium Saturday in Little Rock to move to 10-1 on the season, Arkansas redshirt freshman tight end Garrett Uekman died in his dorm room in Fayetteville.

So, an already trivial exercise seems even more so at this point. For that reason, I am going to keep things short and bittersweet this week.

I expect that we will have wall-to-wall bloggage of Friday’s matchup between the #1 (LSU) and #3 (Arkansas) teams in the BCS standings which, despite only differing by one number, is not likely to receive even a scintilla of national coverage compared to that which was heaped on the November 5th game between LSU and Alabama.

The LSU/Arkansas tilt in Red Stick may not be this year’s Game of the Century, or even Game of the Month, but for Arkansas fans born after 1969, it is the game of our lifetime.

We will obsess, accordingly, soon, but at this typing are saddened by the loss of such a young, bright member of the Razorback family.

What We Saw:

Just like last year, Arkansas is playing its best football in November. UA quarterback Tyler Wilson had one uncharacteristically awful decision, which led to a sack, fumble and long, temporary hope-inducing fumble return by Mississippi State defensive lineman Fletcher Cox, but he was otherwise very good. Wilson set a school single-game school record for completions (32), and showed off an emerging offensive toy–tight end Chris Gragg.

We also (again) saw what we already knew. Arkansas’ much-maligned defense is actually fairly solid if it has most of its playmakers. Razorback defensive end Jake Bequette added 2 more sacks to his season total, giving him 6 in the last 3 weeks and placing him 3rd in the SEC for the season with 8 sacks despite missing essentially 4 games and being slowed in a few others upon his return. He is in flat out Beast Mode.

But Bequette is not the only Razorback defender who is playing at that level. Arkansas defensive tackle Byran Jones has 40 tackles, a very good number for an interior lineman, and has been an anchor in Willy Robinson’s gap control scheme.

And, after getting pushed around by Alabama’s defense early in the season, Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin has logged the best campaign of his stellar career, as he is on pace to set a personal record for tackles in a season while becoming the first Razorback to lead the team in tackles in 4 consecutive seasons.

Those three played very well Saturday and, with help from plenty of their friends, held Mississippi State to just 211 total yards (with 66 of those coming in under 4 minutes left in the game garbage time against several Razorback backups).

With the effort, the often-criticized Razorback defense is 6th in the SEC in scoring defense–a respectable number considering the Arkansas offense scores often and quickly, giving opposing offenses more opprtunities, and 2 of the best defenses in recent college football history (Alabama and LSU) are atop the league charts.

What We Didn’t See:

Arkansas had every opportunity to look ahead to Friday’s Battle For The Boot A Likely Spot in the BCS Championship Game and didn’t.

Instead, unlike Oklahoma State (um, Iowa State? Really? With their preseason 4th-string QB?), Oklahoma (a pretender as we have been saying since the Sooners’ INEXPLICABLE loss at home to 30-point underdog Texas Tech) and Oregon (yes, the Ducks have played a tough schedule, and ESP*I*N LOVES them and their 1,072 different uniform combinations, but remind me, again, how is it that Arkansas’ 38-14 loss at Bama was a dream-ender per some, but Oregon’s 40-27 loss to LSU on a neutral field–that was set to be a 40-20 punking until the Ducks scored a meaningless TD with :13 left in the game–was not going to keep them out of a 2nd straight BCS Championship Game appearance until they gagged at home against USCSW Saturday?) the Hogs handled their business.

(Oh, speaking of Oregon and OU….how is it that some of the pundits that incessantly complain about the lack of  a playoff system in the college football rationalize away regular season losses in order to pump up teams that they subjectively feel are the better? How is that “settling it on the field”?)

Also, we should note that the game atmosphere at Arkansas’ home stadiums has been very good all year and Saturday was no exception. I have routinely begged the UA to come into the 21st Century in terms of the gameday atmosphere, and this year it has.

Cutting down the number of ads, mixing in recorded, situationally appropriate music, etc. has added to the experience and helped give Arkansas more a homefield advanatage. War Memorial Stadium even has decent cell service on gamedays (the 10,000 fewer fans in the stadium might seem to explain that but for the additional 20 or 30 thousand that congregateget blitzed around the WMS golf course during the game). Maybe one day Reynolds Razorback Stadium will have gameday cell service, too.

What You May Not Have Seen:

Lined up on the left side of the offensive line, tight end Garrett Uekman blocked for Wilson on his 2-yard, 3rd-quarter touchdown pass to Gragg.

What We Hope to See Next Week:

Isn’t it time that the good guys finally win the big one? We’ve been outdueled in the Big Shootout, tripped up by Storner’s Stumble and Filleted by Fish. Long-suffering Hog fans can only hope now is our time.

In the meantime, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Garrett Uekman.

 

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , | 5 Comments »

Garrett Uekman–6/22/92–11/20/11

Posted by Adam Butler on November 20, 2011

Razorback Nation mourns the tragic loss of one of its own, today.

Nineteen-year-old Razorback redshirt freshman tight end Garrett Uekman passed away in his dorm room in Fayetteville this morning. He was blocking on a touchdown pass play from Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson to fellow tight end a little under 27 hours ago at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Arkansas will hold a press conference in a matter of minutes to field questions about his death, but one thing is certain–the sudden death of a young person with a great future ahead of him is terrible sad.

I can only imagine what his family and friends our going through today. Our thoughts are with them.

Posted in News, Sports | Tagged: , | Comments Off

BlogHawgs Twitter Style College Football Weekend Preview–11/19/11

Posted by Adam Butler on November 18, 2011

Thanksgiving is almost upon us and I still don’t have a Twitter account.

I do, however, have an internationally renowned Twitter Style College Football Weekend Preview. And, thanks to Arkansas Wide Receiver Cobi Hamilton, BlogHawgs now has Re-Tweet Cred. What’s next? A Faux Hawk? Skinny Jeans? An over-inflated sense of self? Only time will tell.

Unfortunately, 11 glorious weekends of college football are in the books, so we don’t have much time left to make spiteful, snarky comments about pretty much every major college football program. Rest assured, though–I am as ready today to bring smarmy fake Tweets as I was on Day 1 of the season.

The only rules for the BlogHawgs Twitter Style CFB Weekend preview are that the fake user names can’t be longer than 15 characters (but may or may not be registered, already), Tweets cannot exceed 140 characters, and I have to end each tweet with a smartazz (that’s for fellow BlogHawg, BK–he LOVES Zs in place of Ss) hash tag. Here we go:

Oklahoma State at Iowa State: @bweeeden’89: I’m glad this one is on Friday night. I’m chaperoning my daughter’s high school homecoming dance, Saturday. #OldHeisMan

Wisconsin at Illinois: @weRzooked: Even Ron Zook’s postgame rants are boring and ineffective. #mr.february

Kentucky at Georgia: @RichtgrrrScale: From the Hot Seat to Hotlanta. #noeasyoutintheSECCG

Vanderbilt at Tennessee: @Vandymania: The ‘Dores are 1-27 against UT since ’82, but Vandy is a road favorite. Dooley noted. #betweenaRockyTopandahardplace

Texas Tech at Missouri: @nO,U: Tech is so bad Mizzou Coach Gary Pinkel played Quarters Wednesday instead of scripting the first quarter. #whatsyourexcuseOU?

Kansas at Texas A&M: @SmokedSherman: How many Aggies does it take to screw up a preseason Top 10 team? Don’t answer that. #SECusoon

LSU at Mississippi: @WeToldUSo: This season has finally provided the proverbial pound of The Mississippi Coach’s flesh. #passthefavabeansandchianti

California at Stanford: @ALuck12: It seemed like the band was on the field last  week. #Indyisniceinthesummer

Nebraska at Michigan: @Maize&Boo: 2 All-Nickname Team QBs with All-Sunbelt Conference talent. #theforwardpassisimportantforaQB

Penn St. at Ohio St.: @ShameGame: Remember when this game mattered? #stillangry

Kansas St. at Texas: @MackAttack: Is it too early to fire a bunch of assistant coaches, again? #3envelopes 

Boston College at Notre Dame: @DomerHomer: At 7-3, we’re guaranteed a BCS Bowl, right? #Win8forTheGipper

SMU at Houston: @MakinthaCase: 17, 537 passing yards & 144 TDs. Imagine the #s he would have if he played in the Big 12! #afriendlyreminderthatOUlostto30ptdogTTechinNorman

USC at Oregon: @Ilikeursweater:  *Holding Nose* Fight On!  #OllyOllyAutzenFree

Boise St. at San Diego St.: @Nov.Reign: What? Boise choked even though it (per the usual) only had 2 competitve games all season? It must be November. #goaway

Mississippi St. at Arkansas: @RockCityHam: Cobi Hamilton 14 Mississippi State 10 #MayorofMarkham

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , | 2 Comments »

BlogHawgs Heisman 5+1–11/16/11

Posted by Adam Butler on November 16, 2011

Special to BlogHawgs by Kris Boyd

Wanna know who would be high on this list had he been able to beat Oklahoma State–Kansas State Quarterback Collin Klein.  The +1 loves Klein.  He is a one-man show; however, his erratic arm still keeps him out of the +1 (+2?). 

Oklahoma State quarterback Brandon Weeden squeaks by Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck as the two-man race for the golden trophy sprints on.  Alabama runningback Trent Richardson is scraping for yards, Houston quarterback Case Keenum is doing what he does best, and Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is the best WR in college football. And,  the +1 welcomes back Oregon runningback LaMichael James.   

1.  Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State: Weeden was outstanding against a terrible defense.  However, he did what his Oklahoman counterpart could not do; lead his team to a victory over a severe underdog–Texas Tech. 

3,635 yards, 31 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 73.1 % completion rate, 10-0 record

2.  Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford:  Is it Andrew Luck’s fault that his defense did not show up Saturday night?  No, it is not.  But is still his job to lead his team to victory.  Luck was not crisp (fifth worst completion rate in his career) against an Oregon defense that was not known for clamping down on opposing foes.  The late interception was not his fault, but the earlier turnovers were.

2,680 yards, 29 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 70.6 % completion rate, 9-1 record 

3.  Case Keenum, QB, Houston: Yes, the +1 realizes that Houston has not really played anyone, but that is why Case is #3 and not #1.

3,951 yards, 37 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 74.2 % completion rate, 10-0 record

4.  Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State : Blackmon was not needed and played sparingly in a blowout win over Texas Tech.  Blackmon had six receptions which were his low for the season. Blackmon is the best wide receiver in the country and deserves an invite to New York City.

1,142 yards, 14 touchdowns, 12.3 yards per catch, 10-0 record

5.  LaMichael James, RB, Oregon:  The Texarkana (the Texas side, but when is someone going to do a piece about all the talent that has come out of the Texarkanansans during this four year stretch?) native destroyed a Stanford defense that was supposed to be good against the run.  James missed almost three full weeks with an injury, but has played like he hasn’t missed any time.

1,207 yards, 12 touchdowns, 7.9 yards per carry, 9-1 record

+1.  Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama:  Richardson averaged almost 2 full yards less per carry for the second time in two weeks.  We’ll give him a pass against LSU, but Mississippi State bottled Trent up most of the night.  The Bulldogs are good against the run, but aren’t big time players supposed to really step up in big games when you need them?  Trent ran for over 100 yards but it took 32 carries to get there.

1,205 yards, 18 touchdowns, 5.9 yards per carry, 9-1 record

+2.  Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas:  Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’m a homer, whatever.  Joe needs to be mentioned.  He is the most electrifying player in college football.  Just take a look at Joe’s numbers this year.

568 receiving yards, 13.2 yards per catch, 2 receiving touchdowns, 9-1 record

138 rushing yards, 15.3 yards per carry, 1 rushing touchdown

250 punt return yards, 17.8 yards per punt return, 3 punt returns for touchdowns

For comparison, let’s take a look at the last two Heisman winners that were wide receivers and their stats for the entire year:

Tim Brown, WR, Notre Dame-1987

846 receiving yards, 21.7 yards per reception, 3 receiving touchdowns

144 rushing yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 1 rushing touchdown

401 punt return yards, 11.8 yards per punt return, 3 punt returns for touchdowns

Desmond Howard, WR, Michigan-1991

985 receiving yards, 15.9 yards per reception, 19 receiving touchdowns

180 rushing yards, 13.8 yards per carry, 2 rushing touchdowns

282 punt return yards, 15.7 yards per punt return, 1 punt return for touchdown

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Select 17 – Week 12

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 15, 2011

The top 2 teams in the Select 17 – and every other poll for that matter – have bunkered into their positions.  Unless they lose one of their remaining games, both LSU and Oklahoma State are on a collision course to meet in the national title game in New Orleans.  Both have Top Ten matchups left on their calendars, though, and that means a lot can change.

Stanford and Boise St. choked away their chances to play for the crystal football, eliminating two unbeatens but adding to the glut of one-loss teams vying for a spot in the BCS.  Both teams lost at home, though, which pushes them to the back of the line in my book.  Of course, if they were the Oklahoma Sooners that wouldn’t matter.  For reasons that no one can explain adequately, the Sooners remain ahead of Arkansas in the BCS and all major polls.  Both teams have one loss, both have similar strengths of schedule, and both have neutral site wins against overrated teams from Texas.  Interestingly, the Hogs lost on the road at Alabama – in a game without their two starting defensive ends and lost a starting cornerback in the process.  Meanwhile, Oklahoma lost – at home – to a four TD underdog that has been outscored 159 – 33 in three consecutive losses since that game. 

I really hope the Pokes decide to “horse around” with Oklahoma in the Bedlam game.

Rank Team Votes LW
1 LSU (8) 152 1
2 Oklahoma St. (1) 144 2
3 Alabama 133 4
4 Oregon 124 6
5 Arkansas 119 7
6 Oklahoma   109 8
7 Clemson 92 9
8 Stanford 88 3
9 Virginia Tech 83 11
10 Houston 76 10
11 Boise St. 55 5
12 Georgia 50 13
13 Michigan St. 45 14
14 South Carolina 33 15
15 Wisconsin 22 16
16 Nebraska 21 NR
17 Kansas St. 18 17

Others Receiving Votes: USC 6, Southern Miss 5, TCU 2

 

 

Posted in Sports | Tagged: , , , , | 2 Comments »

BlogHawgs Weekly Stat Geek Newsletter

Posted by Adam Butler on November 15, 2011

By BlogHawgs Stat Front Man Brian Rogers

With the Arkansas defense showing steady improvement the past two weeks (we know, we know–the Hogs weren’t playing powerhouse offenses like Oregon, Houston, orAuburn Oklahoma St.), let’s take a step back and focus on that side of the ball.

There is a mass perception out there that this defense has backslid from the improvement made last year. In looking at where this defense stands relative to the country, it seems perception and reality are not the same.

When looking at points per game allowed and rank, keep in mind the number of games missed by key (All-SEC) contributors.

 

NCAA Rank

Pts/Gm

2011

30

21.5

2010

45

22.8

2009

62

25.8

 

We don’t know  care where Arkansas ranks in terms of yards per game because a wise man once told me: “It’s not a Yardboard! It’s a Scoreboard!”

Individually, last Saturday night could not have gone better for a group of seniors that will live in Razorback lore. While they may not have the rings like Hatfield, Johnson, Marshall, or Phillips, they have led this Arkansas from being program in disarray with the transition of a  coaching change into national top 10 relevance the program has not seen in decades, all the while stamping their names all over the UA history books.

With the Mainstream Media co-oping the BlogHawgs Weekly Stat Geek Newslettter last week, everyone now knows about the places in history held by Arkansas wide receivers Jarius Wright and Joe Adams.

So, we would like to use this space this week to shine the light on Arkansas’ senior defensive stalwarts.

On the defensive front, which is now seemingly 100% after dealing with early season injuries, Jake Bequette has regained his dominating form with 4 sacks in the past two weeks. The surge has moved Bequette  into 4th all-time on the UA sacks chart.

Rank  Player Sacks Diff.
1. Wayne Martin 25.5 6
2. Henry Ford 25.0 6
3. Steven Conley 21.0 2
4. Jake Bequette 19.5
5. Marcus Adair 19.0
6. Scott Long 18.0
7. Jamaal Anderson 17.5
8. Ray Lee Johnson 16.0

Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin also continues to climb the UA career tackles and tackles for loss list. Franklin seems destined to finish 2nd all time for tackles and somewhere in the top 10 in tackles for loss.

Rank Player Tackles Diff.
1. Tony Bua 408 45
2. Ken Hamlin 381 18
3. Sam Olajubutu 372 9
4. Caleb Miller 368 5
5. Cliff Powell 367 4
6. Jerry Franklin 363
7. Ronnie Caveness 357
8. Rickey Williams 343

 

Rank Player TFL Diff.
1. Billy Ray Smith, Jr. 63.0 31.5
2. Henry Ford 46.0 14.5
t3. Wayne Martin 37.0 5.5
t3. Jimmy Walker 37.0 5.5
t5. Malcolm Sheppard 36.0 4.5
t5. Caleb Miller 36.0 4.5
t5. Johnnie Meadors 36.0 4.5
8. Steven Conley 35.0 3.5
9. Jeb Huckeba 33.0 1.5
10. Jamaal Anderson 32.5 1
t11. Marcus Adair 32.0 0.5
t11. Dan Hampton 32.0 0.5
13. Jerry Franklin 31.5

 

Arkansas safety Tramain Thomas added a tally to his interception total against Tennessee. The pick moved him into a tie at 6th, 3 behind Steve Atwater. (Notice there are not a lot of recent names on this list.)

Rank Player Int Diff.
1. Steve Atwater 14 3
2. Gary Adams 13 2
t3. Orlando Watters 12 1
t3. Louis Campbell 12 1
t3. Tommy Trantham 12 1
t6. Tramain Thomas 11
t6. Anthoney Cooney 11
t8. Charles Washington 10
t8. George Walker 10
t8. Jim Rinehart 10
t8. Louis Schaufele 10

 

Finally, with the last Little Rock game of the year upon us this week with Mississippi State coming to town, we wanted to leave you with an interesting performance trend.

Arkansas wide receiver Cobi Hamilton may as well be known as the “Mayor of Markham Street”. Check out his career splits between games played at War Memorial Stadium and all other (home and away):

Rec Yards TD Games

Total
Little Rock 18 508 6 5
Other 58 874 5 31

Average
Little Rock 3.6 101.6 1.2
Other 1.9 28.2 0.2

 

Dan Mullen if you are reading this (and we would be shocked if there are any SEC coaches NOT reading Bloghawgs), triple team this guy. Number 3 and #4 are overrated, anyway.

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

New Head Redbird

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 14, 2011


I’m not able to link the story right now (technical limitations today) but Mike Mattheny was named the new manager for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. I’m curious what the two resident Cardinal fans at BlogHawgs.com think of the hire. Mattheny seems to be universally respected, but the hire still seems like a risk given that St Louis had an in house option (Jose Oquendo) and World Series champion manager (Terry “Tito” Francona) on their short list. He walks into a great situation, but there is one big free agent that sets St. Louis up as a 2012 contender to repeat. What do y’all think this decision does to help/hurt the Cardinals’ chances to resign Albert Pujols?

Posted in Sports | Tagged: , | 5 Comments »

BlogHawgs Razorback Rewind–Tennessee Game

Posted by Adam Butler on November 14, 2011

WPS!

Ho-hum.

There was a time when the invasion of vomit hunter orange-clad Tennesseans into Fayetteville froze the Razorbacks like deer in Fat Phil Fulmer’s ample headlights.

Arkansas (9-1, 5-1), who had been 3-13 all-time versus Tennessee (3-6, 0-6), bucked that trend in a major way in a windy Reynolds Razorback Stadium Saturday night, as it shot down the Tennessee Volunteers 49-7 and sent 17 seniors off in style following their last on-campus home game of their college careers.

The Vols tried to mount some resistance early, but in the end, Arkansas was counting points and bagging records en route to a rout.

What We Saw:

Arkansas once again proved my new/old favorite adage: It’s not a Yardboard (or a Clockboard). It’s a Scoreboard.

Arkansas outgained Tennessee in total yards by a relatively modest margin of 499 to 376 and the Vols won the Time of Possession battle by a whopping 37:06 to 22:54.

It was enough, if you didn’t see the score (or you are whining Arkansas fan looking for a nit to pick) to make one think the game was close. It wasn’t.

Arkansas senior wide receivers Joe Adams (with a 60-yard, zigg-zagging, jaw-dropping punt return touchdown that was as dazzling of a play as you will ever see, and a 40-yard TD catch that wasn’t shabby) and Jarius Wright (the new University of Arkansas career reception leader with 154, thanks to a record-tying circus grab) were the headliners, stealing the spotlight from runningback Dennis Johnson, who continued his recent surge (11-97, 2 TDs, 4 catches, 43 yards).

Adam’s and Wright’s efforts were so eye-popping that they were #1 and #2 respectively on SportsCenter’s top plays of the weekend.

Arkansas’ defense continued to improve, too–thanks to its re-emerging defensive line and suddenly aware (when the ball is in the air) secondary.  Senior Defensive End Jake Bequette had another sack (his 4th in 2 weeks) and a forced fumble, fellow senior Tramain Thomas had a key goalline interception in the last minute of the first half and Byran Jones continued his steady, All-SEC caliber player in the interior defensive line.

What We Didn’t See:

–Arkansas wide receiver Marquel Wade missed his 2nd consecutive game. Wade was suspended for last week’s game against South Carolina due to a much-discussed flagrant personal foul on Vanderbilt’s Jonathan Krause. Wade missed this week’s game due to a seperate violation of team rules. This is not a good trend for Mr. Wade. Don’t make me sorry that I vehemently defended you.

What You May Not Have Seen:

–With just over 11 minutes left IN THE SECOND QUARTER and Arkansas leading 21-0, an orange clad pair of Tennessee fans beside me headed for the exits. Thanks for coming, guys.

–During the 2nd quarter, UA runningback Ronnie Wingo Jr. drew the ire of some very astute Hog fans behind me for getting crossed up and going the wrong direction on a running play. The only problem with that is that Wingo wasn’t on the field on that play and had nothing to do with the busted assignment.

–After one patch of uneven play for Arkansas Quarterback Tyler Wilson, UA Head Coach Bobby Petrino could be seen on the sidelines asking him, “How do you expect us to win this game if you don’t know how to do your *blanking*  job”?

That’s a tough critique of a guy who, on the season, is 211-342 (62%) for 2,850 passing yards and has 18 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs, only 5 INT, and is on track to earn All-SEC honors.

Then again, there is a reason Petrino cranks out winning QBs like arguably no one else in college football–”zero tolerance” accountability.

–This is not a vintage Tennessee squad, and one is beginning to wonder if the Vols have slipped so far it will be tough for its unexplainably cocky (is it the legacy?) head coach to right the ship.

What We Hope to See Next Week:

At #6 in the BCS standings and with a road trip to unanimous #1 LSU left at the end of its schedule, Arkansas is a legitimate part of the BCS Championship discussion as we sit here on November 14, 2011.

Now, the Hogs need to win and get some help. Arkansas should whip Mississippi State Saturday in Little Rock. And, if the Hogs can get 1 more surprise involving a group that includes OU, Ok. State, Oregon and Alabama, the Razorbacks would have a decent shot to punch their ticket by winning out.

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , | 16 Comments »

Arkansas v. Tennessee – BlogHawgs Prediction

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 11, 2011

GAME SKETCH

  • Line: Arkansas (-14)
  • Kickoff: 5:00pm CDT (ESPN2 national broadcast with Mark Jones doing play-by-play, Ed Cunningham providing color analysis, and Jeannine Edwards on the sideline)
  • Weather: Mostly clear all night; Kickoff Temperature of 60 degrees with readings holding steady throughout the game. Winds will be strong from the southwest, gusting over 25 MPH at times.
  • Streaks: Arkansas has won five games in a row this season after losing on the road at Alabama.

Despite a dominating win last week against South Carolina, the Arkansas Razorbacks dropped one spot – from 7th to 8th – in this week’s BCS standings. The Hogs actually made up ground on #1 LSU in the total points, but Oregon gained more ground allowing them to vault past Arkansas. Confused yet? Good.

The truth of the matter is this: If the Hogs keep winning, the BCS rankings will take care of themselves. Losing another game derails any SEC or BCS hopes the Hogs and their fans still have. Head coach Bobby Petrino says his team is focused on the task at hand, which is beating a wounded Tennessee Volunteer team at Reynolds Razorback Stadium this Saturday night.

The Volunteers head to Fayetteville struggling in SEC play. The other UT shutout Middle Tennessee State last weekend but has not yet scratched out a win in the conference. In the three conference games since starting quarterback Tyler Bray was injured (broken thumb) the Volunteers have scored a total of 16 points in three games. The flip side of that coin is this: the Vols played LSU, Alabama, and South Carolina in successive weeks.

National respect can only be gained with wins, and the Hogs are looking for both. Arkansas enters the game as a 14-point favorite. The Hogs need to win decisively – easily covering that number – for this win to register on the national scene. Any win is a good win, but Arkansas may need style points if it is going to leap past Alabama and position itself for a winner-take-all matchup in Baton Rouge on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Why Arkansas should win: The Razorbacks are 14-point favorites for a reason. Arkansas is a far more talented football team than the Bitches in Orange Breaches. Tennessee has struggled offensively even with their star quarterback Bray, and without him they have been downright awful. They managed 239 total yards against LSU, 155 yards against Alabama, and 186 yards against the Gamecocks. Tennessee ranks 118 out of 120 with just 86.8 yards rushing per game. They are not exactly lighting it up through the air, either, only mustering 252.1 yards passing each game – which ranks 42nd nationally. Senior Tauren Poole leads the team in rushing with just 513 yards and an even more miserable 3.5 yards per carry.

While Tennessee may have been looking forward to trying to get better against a Hogs defense that has struggled this season against the run, the Vols hit Fayetteville as the Arkansas defense comes off its best effort of the season. The Razorbacks surrendered only 79 yards on the ground last week, committed to stuff the run and forced an inexperienced quarterback to beat them. Look for a very similar gameplan this week against Tennessee. Freshman quarterback Justin Worley found some success last week against MTSU in his second career start, but do not expect similar success against a confident Razorback defense that gets starting end Tenarius “Tank” Wright back this week. For the first time since the second game of the year Arkansas gets to trot out its two all-SEC caliber ends with Wright and Jake Bequette.

The Tennessee defense has hung tough recently, but they can only do so much after being left on the field for long stretches. In their past three SEC games the Volunteers defense has logged an average of 36 minutes per game on the field. A season of fatigue and frustration can take its toll on a defense, especially a young group. One has to wonder just how much it will take before the Volunteers shut down defensively against a high octane offense.

The truth of the matter is that Arkansas could easily have hung 60 points on a much better defense last week. Coach Petrino and offensive coordinator Garrick McGhee took notice of dropped passes and bad decisions from quarterback Tyler Wilson that led to a 28-point differential last week. We expect execution to be much crisper this week. Dennis Johnson is in a groove at running back, and Ronnie Wingo has started running harder and more decisively. It’s also worth noting that the offensive line has started playing much, much better. Aside from the uncharacteristic dropped passes, this offense looked unstoppable last week. Don’t believe me? Go back to the box score and count the number of official snaps Dylan Breeding took.

Why Tennessee should win: There really is only one reason to think Tennessee might win this game. Could Arkansas be distracted? Most of the talk this week has been about BCS rankings and a season-ending showdown with LSU. Quite honestly, we have not heard much about Tennessee. While the Volunteers have not had much success this year, they have a load of young talent.

Derrick Dooley’s club went to Baton Rouge last season and woulda-coulda-shouda beaten LSU in the most bizarre ending to a football game we can recall in quite some time. No question about it: LSU had far more talent than Tennessee did last year. Yet Tennessee fought tooth and nail, the Tigers played flat, and the game came down to a booth review that caught Tennessee with 12 men on the field – allowing Les Miles to pull another rabbit out of the hat.

If Arkansas fails to show up and focus, and turns the ball over frequently, Tennessee can absolutely win this game. Despite all the time they’ve spent on the field, the Volunteer defense still allows only 21.2 points per game and ranks among the nation’s best in pass efficiency defense. This is the type of team that can turn you over and get your offense off the field after three plays. If that happens enough, their offense will eventually catch a team out of position and score. The Hogs need to be focused and ready or they could find themselves thinking they coulda-woulda-shoulda beaten Tennessee.

And the Winner Is…

Arkansas simply has too much firepower and too much on the line to drop this game. Everything the Razorbacks wanted back in August remains attainable. While they do not control their own destiny, the Hogs do know that none of it is possible without a win this Saturday night.

Perhaps the biggest reason for Hogs fans to feel confident is the fact that Saturday is the last Fayetteville game for a senior class that changed the face of Arkansas football. We will put together a full retrospective next week, but suffice it to say that guys like Jarius Wright, Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jerry Franklin, and Jake Bequette – to name but a few – will not allow this team to lose in their final appearance at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Take the Hogs and the points, and sit back to watch one of the most important senior classes in Razorback history soak up one more victory in the Ozarks.. Arkansas 51, Tennessee 13

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Hogs Hoops Fills Needs

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 11, 2011

Special to BlogHawgs.com from Kris Boyd


Mike Anderson signed his first class as the head coach of the University of Arkansas this past week. We all know what type of style Coach A is bringing back home. The freshman class on the Hill gives Coach A as good of a foundation as he could have wished for. The incoming guys for next year each fill a specific role for Coach A.

I’ve read and heard some comments about the rankings of the guys we signed. Basketball recruiting can be even more fickle than football recruiting. Basketball stars, rankings and even All-American games can depend more on where you’re from and what school you are committed to rather than your actual ability to play basketball. It explains how Joe Johnson was not a McDonald’s All-American even thoough he had offers Duke, Kentucky, UCONN, Michigan and Texas. I’m quite positive had Joe committed to Duke that year he would have been on Ronald’s squad since Duke had four of them on it including Casey Sanders (go figure). Forgive me… I digress.

I thought a little breakdown of our 2012 class was warranted and could be helpful.

JaCorey Williams. 6′ 8″, 190 lbs. Small Forward. Adamsville, AL

A 6’8″ lefty who handles the rock and has range? Yes please! JaCorey’s two star ranking has left many scratching their heads. He did have an offer from Alabama and it appears from reading about him that many other schools were worried about him qualifying. That doesn’t really explain his two star rating, but we just need to be glad this kid flew under the radar. I’ll tell you what I love about JaCorey. He loves to put the rock on the floor for one to two dribbles and then pull up from 10-15 feet. Who does that anymore? Grant Hill, Kevin Durant and Joe Johnson are about the only ones I can think of. He is a small framed kid who is not a banger, but has a super soft jumpshot. I think he is absolutely going to kill it in Coach A’s system. Have I mentioned I love watching him?

Anthlon Bell. 6′ 3″, 180 lbs. Shooting Guard. Bartlett, TN

Labeling Bell as a shooting guard is kind of an understatement. Pastner is going to regret letting this kid get out of Memphis. It seems like the Tiger fans agree with me from their postings on their board. Not only are they upset about not recruiting him hard enough (Pastner apparently thought he had him in his back pocket and had not offered), but they are upset about “reviving Arkansas’ pipeline from Memphis to Fayetteville”. Bell is a three point specialist who can get his shot off anytime he wants. I read an article about Bell leading his Memphis YOMCA AAU team to an overtime win over Julius Randle’s (#1 player in the country) AAU Team in the Finals of the Nike Peach Jam Tournament. Bell went 7 of 9 from the arc and scored all of his team’s points in OT.

Michael Qualls. 6′ 5″ 180 lbs. Small Forward. Shreveport, LA

Quite simply, Qualls is a freak of nature who loves to dunk on people. It also appears that his high school team loves to play up tempo and press. He is going to fit in beautifully. His jump shot kind of looks like Brett Kincaid’s (although to be fair, if Qualls had Brett’s swing he would have gone in the MLB draft) and that is what kept him from being a four or even five star player. I’m also very excited to see this kid in a Hog uniform. I predict him catching many oops from Madden and Young. Qualls wanted to be an LSU Tiger, but Trent Johnson inexplicably never offered. Qualls jumped (zinger) on the opportunity to play for Coach Anderson and his style.

This class is not going to lead the country in ratings, but it contains the perfect mix of talent to go along with what Coach A already has on the Hill. Let’s remember that we signed 9 four star players from 2005-2008. What do we have to show for it?

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BlogHawgs Twitter Style College Football Weekend Preview–11/11/11 Edition

Posted by Adam Butler on November 11, 2011

It’s Week 11 and it’s 11/11/11. I’m no numerologist, but that MUST mean this is going to be a great weekend of college football, right?

It has already gotten off to a shaky start. I have been poised to join the rest of the World and actually sign up for a Twitter account, but alas, it appears my heaven-sent user(/band) name is already taken. (Why didn’t *I* think of that??)

But, like Eduardo Saverin, we soldier on. Our first BlogHawgs billion isn’t going to make itself.

The only rules for the BlogHawgs Twitter Style CFB Weekend preview are that the fake user names can’t be longer than 15 characters (but may or may not be registered, already), Tweets cannot exceed 140 characters, and I have to end each tweet with a smartazz (that’s for BK–he LOVES Zs in place of Ss) hash tag. Here we go:

Ohio State at Purdue: @freetatsroknow:  Can Urb dot the eye, tomorrow? #goodlucknthefutureluke

Michigan at Illinois: @slowurroll: ”That’s a Tight End right there, boys”. “Um, noooo, it’s a Wide Receiver.” #big10.3fortytime

Kentucky at Vandy: @winnintime: We hear you knockin’, Vandy. Open the Dore. #hogsstrengthofschedule

Wake Forest at Clemson: @clempsunfan: “Didn’t we almost have it all?” #notreally

Texas A&M at Kansas State: @gigmeintheeye: Sherman lost his effeminately named tank last week. Is his job, next? #itshouldbe

TCU at Boise State: @papasmurf: I’m so sick of Blue. #1gameseasons

Miami at Florida State: @iluvtha90s:  I would rather watch an alumni game. #nostalgia

Texas at Missouri: @byenotBye: I will be rooting for the program that wasn’t afraid to play with the big boys. #keepaustinweird

Nebraska at Penn State: @denial: Penn’s motto is “Virtue, Liberty, Independence.” May future PSU admins have 1. Sandusky none of 2., and the victims some form of 3.” #shame

Oklahoma State at Texas Tech: @HELP!: Will that Doege hunt? #PokethePokesbubble

Michigan State at Iowa: @fructose: Brought to you by: Corn. Seriously. #adspaceferentz

Tennessee at Arkansas: @arresteddev.: Hogs are 8-1, “But, I am still thirsty.” #thanksseniors!

Florida at South Carolina: @brianwilson(7:30): A Prick vs. The Cocks. #hogsshouldascored60

Washington at USC: @home4theholidays: Still smarting from Stanford Lucking out in The Coliseum. #thanksfornothinglane

Auburn at Georgia: @upsetalert: An easy (by SEC standards) schedule makes me wonder if the Dawgs’ bark is worse than their bite. #beatBoise

Oregon at Stanford: @elimination: The Quack is about to attack. #highliters

Alabama at Mississippi State: @cryinggame: Les always seems to have a suprise….taped down. #hoping4ahangover

La Tech at Mississippi: @wemissualready: We called that mid-season firing, brutha. #timbrandoluvsNutts

Notre Dame at Maryland: @traditionalunis: Ugly vs. Ugly. #myearlycollegedatingoptions

Western Kentucky at LSU: @walkthru: The Tigers could tailgate all day and beat the Hilltoppers–even if they didn’t take the field until the 3rd quarter. #we’llseeyain2weeks

 

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , | 3 Comments »

Free Money – Week 11

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 10, 2011

It was far from pretty, but I managed to scratch out a win last week.

For those paying close attention, that’s exactly how I opened last week’s column.

The Hogs covered with ease, and Vandy roared back to cover against Florida.  On the other hand, the state of Alabama punished me – UAB and Bama both failed to cover.  Thankfully the offense was putrid in the GAME BIGGER THAN WORDS CAN DESCRIBE so that under hit with great comfort.  Sunday was gross, so we don’t need to even talk about it.  In the end, I posted a very, very modest $18 gain.

It was not as good for Adam.

For those paying close attention, I wrote that in last week’s column, too.

Adam actually went 4-4 on the week, but a large loss on his teaser bet sent AB to another ink in the red.  He lost a total play (Texas A&M v. OU) for the first time in a while, but ultimately Alabama screwed Adam, too.  He’s decided to double-down this week in an effort to rebuild his bank.  No TARP bailouts at BlogHawgs.com.  For Adam the week netted a $85 loss.

I absolutely hate the NFL this week.  I’ve only got 2 recommendations, and one of them is tonight.  Adam has once again gone heavy on Saturday, but there are two Sunday picks for you NFL fans to evaluate.  From the looks of our picks, we both will be glued to the TV on Saturday.

Once again, here is a quick recap of the rules:

  • Maximum of 8 single plays during the week
  • One option teaser and one optional parlay also allowed
  • Minimum of $50 wager
  • Both started the season with a $1,000 bankroll but can buy back into the game if they go bust

 

Free Money!

Brett ($1,855)

  • Syracuse (+3.5) v. South Florida, $55 to win $50
  • Houston (-34.5) at Tulane, $110 to win $100
  • OVER 65.5 – Texas A&M at Kansas State, $55 to win $50
  • Mississippi State (+17.5) v. Alabama, $55 to win $50
  • Southern Miss (-9) v. Central Florida, $110 to win $100
  • Arkansas (-14) v. Tennessee, $55 to win $50
  • Chargers (-7) v. Raiders, $110 to win $100
  • Dolphins (-4) v. Redskins, $55 to win $50

 

  • Total Wagers:  $605
  • Max Win: $550

 

Adam ($630)

  • Texas Tech (+17) v. Oklahoma St, $110 to win $100
  • Auburn (+12.5) at Georgia, $110 to win $100
  • Oregon (+3.5) v. Stanford, $110 to win $100
  • Maryland (+20.5) v. Notre Dame, $55 to win $50
  • Steelers (-3) at Cincinnati, $110 to win $100
  • Bills (+5.5) at Cowboys, $110 to win $100

 

  • Total Wagers: $605
  • Max Win: $550

 

Wager accordingly. As usual, BlogHawgs.com is not responsible for you getting arrested after rioting at the gambling window, shouting that you deserve one more chance to win money despite the fact you failed to stop yourself from placing the bet in the first place.

 

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Joe Paterno Gets Retired

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 9, 2011

This entire story is grotesque.  Adam has read the indictment of Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State defensive coordinator accused of sexually abusing at least 8 young boys.  I refuse to read it – at least not now.  My anger quotient is high enough.

The only logical thing to do is rid PSU of the cancer that grew throughout its once proud program, allowing for this type of cover-up to exist in the first place.  I have tried and tried to figure out a way not to assign blame to Joe Paterno.  For my entire life he has embodied all that is right with college football.  Penn State’s 1986 Fiesta Bowl victory over Miami has for years been viewed as “Good” conquering “Evil”, at least in terms of football.  We now know there are allegations that true evil – the insidious type of darkness that defies explanation and understanding – designed the defensive game plan that caused Vinny Testaverde to throw 5 interceptions that night in the desert.

As a friend said earlier this week, paying for players does not seem so bad right now.

College football’s winningest football coach will retire at the end of this season.  The Associated Press announced this earlier today.  He will do so in shame.  The cynic in me believes if Penn State was 4-5 rather than 8-1 we’d see JoePa leave right now.  The fact is, that’s exactly what should happen.  According to the AP, that is still an option:

But Paterno might not be able to execute his exit strategy as the school’s board of trustees is still considering its options, which could include forcing Paterno to leave immediately.

Paterno has not been accused of legal wrongdoing. But he has been assailed, in what the state police commissioner called a lapse of “moral responsibility,” for not doing more to stop Sandusky, whose attorney maintains his client’s innocence.

Adam mentioned this to me earlier today, and it is probably never going to leave my head:  ”Not one adult stepped up for those kids.  Not one.  And several had a chance and didn’t (so they could) protect their program and friend.”

Ultimately that’s what I believe happened.  Coach Joe Paterno, a devout Catholic, learned nothing from the abuse scandal that rocked the Vatican to its core.  He and those around him swept Sandusky’s behavior under the rug.  They reported it to their bosses, but they did not stop the behavior.  And they continued to enable him for more than 10 years after the first report surfaced.

There is no way to talk your way out of that.  As someone who wrapped himself and his program with the phrase “Winning with Honor” this is the most dishonorable act a human being can commit.  He had the chance to protect children from a predator, and he chose not to do it.

I encourage you to read this from Grantland.com’s Michael Weinreb.  He grew up in State College, in the era of Penn State’s dominance.  Weinreb was childhood friends with kids named Sandusky, McQueery, and Paterno.

The kids from the neighborhood would gather to play basketball in my driveway, not because I was particularly popular, but because we had a good hoop. In high school, we engaged in epic pick-up football games in Sunset Park, a little patch of grass right next to a house owned by Joe and Sue Paterno. In the second grade, my Little League coach was an enormous neighbor of ours named Mr. McQueary, and his son Mike was the best player on our team.1 We went to school at Park Forest Junior High, and then we went to State College High School, where we learned how to drive and how to date and how to do quadratic equations. We were the sons of farmers and college professors and football coaches. One of my brother’s classmates was named Sandusky; one of my classmates was named Sandusky, too.2 I goofed off in the back of Latin class with a kid named Scott Paterno.3 We knew who their fathers were; their fathers were royalty to us, even if we acted like it was no big deal.

All college football fans feel a sense of betrayal this week.  After reading Weinreb’s piece, I cannot help but wonder how State College, Pennsylvania, will ever recover from its loss of innocence.

It bears no resemblance, though, to the stealing of innocence by Jerry Sandusky.  What he is alleged to have done to those boys is inhuman.  It cannot be explained.  If it is true he is subhuman on some level.  As we get caught up in the drama unfolding at Penn State and with Joe Paterno, please never forget the original sin here.  And understand the school and administration officials – including Paterno – were in position to stop it but chose otherwise.

 

Posted in Sports | Tagged: , , , , | 15 Comments »

BlogHawgs Heisman 5+1–11/8/11

Posted by Adam Butler on November 8, 2011

Special to BlogHawgs by Kris Boyd

It comes down to three.  Trent Richardson was hurt because Alabama did not win THE GAME OF ALL-MANKIND even though he played as well as he could. 

It’s unfortunate, but true.  Andrew Luck and Brandon Weeden both play big games over the next several weeks.  The +1 feels that most Heisman voters have already filled out their ballot and mailed it in, but let me pose this question to you. 

If Luck and Weeden both lead their teams to undefeated seasons… If Luck’s stats pale in comparison to Weeden’s… If Oklahoma State played a way tougher schedule than Stanford… Why does Luck deserve the Trophy over Weeden?

Two games will now decide the Heisman:  Stanford/Oregon and Oklahoma/Oklahoma State.

1.  Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford  Another ho-hum game over another inferior opponent.  Luck didn’t set the world the world on fire, but Stanford did not need him to against Oregon State.  The +1 has no doubt Luck will destroy an awful Oregon defense this Saturday.

2.  Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State Weeden was dynamic Saturday night.  He continuously matched each Kansas State score with drives of his own.  Kansas State has a porous defense, but dropping 502 and 4 in an ultra-competitive game is worthy. 

3.  Trent Richardson, RB Alabama Richardson played about as well as a running back could play against a great LSU defense.  Trent was Alabama’s offense with 170 rushing and receiving yards. 

4.  Case Keenum, QB Houston Keenum again did what he supposed to do.  Beat a team you are supposed to beat and put up great stats while doing it.  On the year: 3,626 yards, 36 total TD’s, 3 Int.’s and a 74% completion rate.

5.  Landry Jones, QB, OU Jones was awful against probably the worst pass defense in the country. 

+1.  Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State Blackmon retains his title as “The Best WR in America (and Oklahoma)” with Broyles out for the year.  Big players step up in big games.  Justin brushed off a bad fumble and lit Kansas State up for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns when Okie State needed big drives and scores.

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , | 14 Comments »

Wanna Know Why I Hate Twitter? Fools Like Tim Brando

Posted by Adam Butler on November 8, 2011

The CBS College Football Studio Host and longtime Houston Nutt apologist and Hog hater must have been in his cups last nite.

That is the only thing I can think of to explain Tim Brando’s odd behavior on the internets. In the wake of the news that The Mississippi Coach will soon be no more, Brando spent most of yesterday on Twitter defending Nutt and painting Arkansas fans with a broad brush.

One might think that Brando would want to talk about anything but Nutt and Arkansas fans at this point. After Arkansas parted ways with Nutt following the 2007 season, Brando routinely railed on Arkansas fans for what he deemed to be their collective shabby treatment of Nutt, and essentially said they would rue the day they ran off The Mississippi Coach.

In so doing, he also made it a point to repeatedly, dismissively lecture Arkansas fans about how they had unrealistic expectations and Arkansas could do no better than Nutt (Will he say the same to Mississippi fans during their search? No way. Brando is chummy with Mississippi legend and Coach Maker Archie Manning).

Now, less than four years later with Arkansas (led by Bobby Petrino) pulling itself out of the ditch Nutt left it in and establishing a perennial Top Ten caliber program, Nutt has Mississippi back in the same ditch. (To Nutt’s next employer: Watch Out For Black Ice!)

And, Brando, unlike Nutt, is on the offensive and defending the man who has put Mississippi back in its comfort zone–last place (and waaaaay worse nationally than Mississippi’s traditional 50th spot……MISSISSIPPI FANS–DO IT NOW–OCCUPY FBS EXPANSION! Does the FBS really need 2 schools from New Mexico? It may take Mississippi math, but we can get you back down/up to 50th!!).

Yesterday, after the announcement of Nutt’s firing/resignation at Mississippi, Brando sent several shots over the bow, but this was the most ill-advised:

TimBrandoTim Brando

 
The sad side of our culture shows up when people take joy out of someone else’s bad news. No tweets or interviews for me in Arkansas again.
 Soon after seeing it, I predicted a forthcoming (forced) apology, but even though I suggested, tongue-in-cheek, that it would happen in a matter of minutes, I was surprised when it actually did:
 
TimBrandoTim Brando

 
Upon further review I shouldn’t have proclaimed no more tweets or interviews in Arkansas. A bit much, as my wife would remind me. Apologies.
So, the professional journalist who has, for years, derided an entire state for the reactionary moves of a segment of fans, is now apologizing for being…….reactionary? That’s rich.
 
Not unexpectedly, Brando will have TMC on his radio show, today, within the hour (10:30 a.m.). If it wasn’t so early, it might be a good time for an “Excuses Drinking Game”. They will be flowing. You can count on it.

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , | 13 Comments »

BlogHawgs Stat Geek’s Weekly Razorbacks Newsletter–The Wright Stuff

Posted by Adam Butler on November 8, 2011

In years past, when talking about Arkansas’ vaunted receiving trio, people would begin by raving about Greg Childs and his prototypical NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE size and speed. Next up they would talk about Joe Adams’ Percy Harvin-esque, elusiveness and toughness. (I mean Adams missed 5 games during his sophomore season WITH A STROKE!!) It seems they would then briefly mention Jarius Wright as a bit of an afterthought– the throw-in deep threat.

As we continue to move toward the conclusion of their careers, though, one cannot help but notice that the ever-steady Wright has made the most of becoming Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson’s security blanket. Today, we will put a center stage spotlight on Jarius and his ascent to the top of the three major receiving categories in the Arkansas record book: Receptions, Yards, and TDs

As highlighted after Arkansas’ game against Texas A&M game, JWright has already etched his name at the top of the UA’s single-game receptions (tied for first with 13) and yards (281) lists. Three times he has come close to placing his name at the top of single game touchdown list.

Thrice JWright  has come close (with 2 receiving TDs) to marking his name at the top of the single-game receiving TDs ledger. Three times in UA history receivers have had 3TDs in a game. (Anthony Lucas in ’99 and the everyone’s favorite–Alton Baldwin–in ’44 & ’45)

As far as season bests, Wright’s 2011 campaign continues to emerge as potentially the top statistical receiving season in school history. Jarius is on pace to end 2011 with 69 rec., 1,173 yards, and 13 TDs. All three would place him in the #1 spot in those respective categories.

RECEPTIONS:

YARDS:

TDs:

Season

Season

Season

Rank

Player

Rec.

Diff.

Year

Rank

Player

Yards

Diff.

Year

Rank

Player

TD

Diff./Yr.

Year

1.

J.J. Meadors

62

14

1995

1.

Anthony Lucas

1,004

192

1998

1.

Marcus Monk

11

2/2006

2006

2.

D.J. Williams

61

13

2008

2.

Mike Reppond

986

174

1971

2.

Anthony Lucas

10

1/1998

1998

3.

Mike Reppond

56

8

1971

3.

Marcus Monk

962

150

2006

3.

Jarius Wright

9

2011

4.

D.J. Williams

54

6

2010

4.

James Shibest

907

95

1984

t4.

Derek Russell

8

1990

5.

Boo Williams

52

4

2000

5.

George Wilson

900

88

2003

t4.

Chuck Dicus

8

1968

t6.

Anthony Eubanks

51

3

1997

6.

Derek Russell

897

85

1990

t6.

Joe Adams

7

2009

t6.

Anthony Eubanks

51

3

1996

7.

Greg Childs

894

82

2009

t6.

Greg Childs

7

2009

t6.

James Shibest

51

3

1984

8.

Anthony Eubanks

870

58

1997

t6.

Marcus Monk

7

2005

t9.

Joe Adams

50

2

2010

9.

Anthony Lucas

822

10

1999

t6.

Richard Smith

7

2003

t9.

Marcus Monk

50

2

2006

10.

Jim Benton

814

2

1937

t6.

George Wilson

7

2002

t9.

George Wilson

50

2

2003

11.

Joe Adams

813

1

2010

t6.

Boo Williams

7

2000

t12.

Peyton Hillis

49

1

2007

12.

Jarius Wright

812

2011

t6.

James Shibest

7

1984

t12.

George Wilson

49

1

2002

13.

Anthony Eubanks

809

1996

t6.

Jim Benton

7

1937

t14.

Jarius Wright

48

2011

14.

Jarius Wright

788

2010

t6.

Wear Schoonover

7

1929

t14.

Greg Childs

48

2009

15.

Boo Williams

739

2000

t14.

Jim Benton

48

1937

16.

D.J. Williams

723

2008

16.

Greg Childs

46

2010

17.

Chuck Dicus

688

1969

18.

Greg Childs

659

2010

19.

Cobi Hamilton

630

2010

20.

D.J. Williams

627

2010

Moving on to career numbers, JWright is making moves on all three top spots as well, with some healthy competition from one of his squad mates, Adams.

Both Jarius and Joe will most likely pass Anthony Eubanks’ career receptions mark this week against the Volunteers. Last week, Joe managed to maintain his slim 1 catch lead over Joe.

However, Jarius is on pace to surpass Joe. Jarius continues to march toward Anthony Lucas’ career receiving  yards record of 2,879 and with his 2 TDs Saturday, has an outside chance of catching Marcus Monk for career TDs. Just where Jarius ends up will depend upon how effective he is in Baton Rouge against the vaunted LSU secondary in a few weeks. Remarkably, Wright, Adams, and Childs will all finish their careers in the top 10 of all three UA career receiving categories.

RECEPTIONS:

YARDS:

TD:

Career

Career

Career

Rank

Player

Rec

Diff.

Rank

Player

Yards

Diff.

Rank

Player

TD

Diff.

1.

Anthony Eubanks

153

1.

Anthony Lucas

2,879

1.

Marcus Monk

27

2.

D.J. Williams

152

2.

Jarius Wright

2,629

250

2.

Anthony Lucas

23

4

3.

Joe Adams

151

2

3.

Anthony Eubanks

2,440

439

3.

Jarius Wright

21

6

4.

Jarius Wright

150

3

4.

Joe Adams

2,274

605

4.

Richard Smith

17

10

5.

George Wilson

144

t5.

Marcus Monk

2,151

728

t5.

George Wilson

16

11

6.

Marcus Monk

138

t5.

George Wilson

2,151

728

t5.

Anthony Eubanks

16

11

7.

Anthony Lucas

137

7.

Greg Childs

1,946

933

t5.

Chuck Dicus

16

11

8.

Richard Smith

135

8.

James Shibest

1,920

t5.

Derek Russell

16

11

9.

J.J. Meadors

134

9.

Derek Russell

1,874

t9.

Greg Childs

15

12

10.

Greg Childs

112

41

10.

Richard Smith

1,858

t9.

Joe Adams

15

12

One Bonus Note: In the process of becoming the most prolific UA wideout in school history, Wright has also placed himself in position among the best to play in the SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL LEAGUE.

Wright’s 2,629 yardage total, currently places him 15th in career yards in the SEC. Jarius’ current 90 yards per game pace would place him 3rd all time in career receiving yardage and if he can increase that average to 116 yards per game for the rest of the season, Wright would move to the top spot, surpassing UGA’s Terrence Edwards.

Those are pretty heady numbers for a guy who has somehow managed to fly under the national radar.

YARDS:

Career – including years played

Rank

Player

Yards

Diff.

YRS

1.

Terrence Edwards

3,093

464

4

2.

Josh Reed

3,001

372

3

3.

Boo Mitchell

2,964

335

4

4.

DJ Hall

2,923

294

4

5.

Craig Yeast

2,899

270

4

6.

Fred Gibson

2,884

255

4

7.

Dan Stricker

2,880

251

4

8.

Anthony Lucas

2,879

250

4

9.

Earl Bennett

2,852

223

3

10.

Joey Kent

2,814

185

4

11.

Kenny McKinley

2,781

152

4

12.

Wendell Davis

2,708

79

4

13.

Julio Jones

2,653

24

3

14.

Shay Hodge

2,646

17

4

15.

Jarius Wright

2,629

4

16.

Eric Martin

2,625

4

17.

Chris Collins

2,621

4

18.

A.J. Green

2,619

3

19.

Michael Clayton

2,582

3

20.

Carlos Alvarez

2,563

3

 

Posted in Sports | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments »

Select 17 – Week 11

Posted by Brett Kincaid on November 7, 2011

There’s a whole lot of shakin’ goin’ on in the Select 17, much like there was in Oklahoma and Arkansas last Saturday.  This season’s Game of the Century turned out to be a “defensive struggle”, or if it was a Big 10 game – a complete turd of a game unworthy of its pregame distinction.  But I digress…

LSU went to Tuscaloosa and pulled out a huge road victory and completely earned its #1 ranking this week.  Alabama dropped out of the top spot, falling only to #4 in the poll – a bit surprisingly to me.  In fact, I’d say that I’m floored both the national voters and BlogHawgs.com voters did not penalize Bama more than they did.  I dropped Bama to #6 because they lost at home.  I believe teams must pay the price for losing a game, and that price is far more severe if the loss is at home.  That’s also why I ranked Oklahoma at #10 this week.  Losses matter, and home losses are worth at least 2x as much as a road loss. 

I say all this because I think it is absolutely ludicrous that IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME we already had discussion of LSU v. Bama II for the national title.  I thought it was a joke to talk about it in 2006 when Michigan wanted a rematch with Ohio State, and I still think it’s a joke.  Why does LSU have to beat this team two times in one season?  Bama lost.  Sorry, Bama fan.  YOU LOST!  Don’t believe me?  Ask that crying “dude” refusing consolation from his stunningly-more-attractive-than-he-is girlfriend.

Oh…yeah….the poll….

Rank Team Votes LW
1 LSU (9) 153 2
2 Oklahoma St. 143 3
3 Stanford 134 4
4 Alabama 126 1
5 Boise St. 108 5
6 Oregon 106 6
7 Arkansas 102 8
8 Oklahoma   98 7
9 Clemson 77 10
10 Houston 65 13
11 Virginia Tech 63 11
12 Penn St. 53 NR
13 Georgia 37 17
14 Michigan St. 31 16
15 South Carolina 21 12
16 Wisconsin 16 NR
17 Kansas St. 10 15

Others Receiving Votes:  Cincinnati 8, Georgia Tech 8, USC 7, Southern Miss 4, Texas 1, Nebraska 1, Jake Bequette 1

 

 

Posted in Sports | Tagged: , , , , | Comments Off

Houston Nutt is Toast

Posted by Adam Butler on November 7, 2011

per ESPN SEC bloggers Chris Low and Edward Aschoff, who, citing multiple sources, say Mississippi will not retain The Mississippi Coach and will announce the decision at a 2 P.M. press conference.

The Over/Under on number of days it would take for The Mississippi Coach to crash and burn in Oxford was 1,440 (20 days shy of 4 years from the day he was hired).

Keep your betting tickets, because, amazingly, it was a push.

Man, that was fast–and expensive (TMC reportedly has a $6 million buyout).

Is this the part where we say “We told you so, Mississippi Rebel Black Bear fans.”?

Posted in Commentary, Sports | Tagged: , , , , , | 17 Comments »

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