Gameday Extra

11.21.2020 BEST OF THE WEB Is that a slap in the face? Perhaps it is, but either way, the LSU coach didn't show the Hogs much respect after the 2019 game. There isn't much hype about the game because both enter with losing records (unless you count the Auburn game as a victory for the Hogs because of a botched call in the final minute). It's only the second time since 1995 that both teams are unranked. Since the Hogs entered the SEC in 1992, there have been only four other times both were unranked and Arkansas won three of those games (in 1992, 1993 and 2008). TURNOVERS Arkansas leads the nation in interceptions with 13, but LSU has taken care of the ball better than most 2-3 teams. They have lost only one fumble and six interceptions. Finley has thrown three in two games. Arkansas has 16 takeaways on the season (first in the SEC) and LSU has 11, which ranks third. So both teams are good in that category. Arkansas did give up a scoop and score for a touchdown against Florida when Boyd and Franks seemed to botch a zone read that was covered by the Gators. NEXT MAN UP This applies to both teams in a variety of ways. With Arkansas expected to have some players out because of covid-19 testing, depth is more important than usual. Pittman said in preseason that he went to sleep every night wondering if the second, third and fourth teamers were getting enough attention in practice. This may be the week he finds out. Along with covid-19 issues, the Hogs must replace starting wide receiver De'Vion Warren, out for the year after suffering a torn ACL on a kickoff against Florida. The injury was suffered on a cut attempt, with no contact. The likely candidates to take his minutes are Trey Knox, Tyson Morris and true freshman Darin Turner (6-3, 208 pounds). Turner was slowed in preseason by covid-19 quarantine but is ready to play now. He may get his chance against the Tigers. TIGHT END The Hogs have played through injuries the last two weeks at the tight end position. Hudson Henry sustained an ankle injury against Tennessee that kept him out of the Florida game. Blake Kern suffered a leg injury that limited his play against Florida. Pittman said Monday that both should play this week. Walk-on Nathan Bax got a few snaps in relief of Kern against Florida. Both Henry and Kern have developed into dependable options for Franks in the passing game. Kern had the final block on Smith's 83-yard run against Florida. PROTECTION This has been an issue for several seasons. Franks holds the ball to put him in too much jeopardy, but he doesn't throw many interceptions, so that might be a trade off. But he should get a little better protection. Arkansas has given up 23 sacks. That compares to the 12 sacks the Hogs have gained on defense. It's season's most glaring statistics. LSU will bring pressure on the edge with ends Ali Gaye (6.5 tackles for lost yardage) and BJ Ojulari (5). Ojulari had three tackles for 21 yards in lost yardage against South Carolina. The Tigers lead the league in tackles for lost yardage with seven per game. The Hogs are 13th in allowing lost yardage plays at 7.29 per game. GRANT MORGAN, BUMPER POOL AND JALEN CATALON These three must play well again for the Hogs to win. They've been magnificent for most of the season and all three have battled injuries. Morgan has played through an elbow injury against Auburn. The senior captain from Greenwood has played with an elbow brace for most of the season. He leads the Hogs with 81 tackles, first in the SEC with 12.1 per game. He's totaled at least 15 tackles (with a high of 19 against Ole Miss) in three games this season. Pool and Catalon are close behind with 70 tackles. Pool missed one game with cracked ribs. Catalon missed the last three quarters of the Texas A&M game because of a targeting penalty. How Morgan, Pool and Catalon play determines the way the Hogs play on defense. They need all three to be firing on all cylinders. PRUDENT PLANS This is a week when it seems all of the Arkansas planning may bear fruit. Pittman was out of practice the first two days of the week while completing his 10-day quarantine for a positive covid-19 test. We all get the problems not having the head coach in the office causes. Pittman said they went over that situation in the preseason and were ready with Barry Odom set to become interim head coach for the Florida game. There are other situations the Hogs have planned for, including an 11 a.m. kickoff. The LSU game is their first early starting time of the season, but they went over that with an 11 a.m. scrimmage in August, including a 7 a.m. breakfast to simulate all details of an early kickoff. The Hogs will get a second 11 a.m. kickoff next week at Missouri. Of course, the Hogs worked backups and walk ons in multiple positions in August workouts to prepare for quarantines, something that seems to be in deeper numbers this week. Pittman said that's affected scout teams this week, too. Keys n Continued from Page 2 A selection of comments from Razorback fans posted to the message boards at WholeHogSports.com: SOME FANS WEREN'T DISCOURAGED DESPITE ARKANSAS' 63-35 LOSS TO FLORIDA LAST WEEK. harleyhawgidson: We played a great offensive team who played error-free football. We were probably out manned at 80% of the positions. We didn't play near perfect and they didn't play poorly, and it would have taken both of those things to happen for us to win. We put up 450 yards on their defense even though they had the ball almost twice as much as we did. We put up 208 yards rushing… This team is so much better than we were the last three seasons. youdaman: I'm upset with the defense because we didn't compete. It was just too easy. (Florida QB Kyle Trask) only had to make about two or three hard throws. The rest were pitch and catch … bluegrassrazorback: I'm grateful they didn't stop playing and I look forward to the day Arkansas can pay Florida back. coloradahog: It was obvious to me that the reason it looked so easy was their o-line protected (and) the QB was spot on. But mostly their receivers are faster and better athletes than our d-backs. suigeneris: Some of the Gator TDs were to wide-open receivers against blown coverage, but at least two were perfect throws on perfect routes against good coverage. That combination will win every time. At least we were in position and trying to make a play on the ball. That's an improvement over a year ago. DawgHOG: I agree and they made every possible catch. The QB was on because we couldn't hit him and his receivers were on. Franks played OK but he missed Burks on an easy TD on that 4th down early. To be fair Woods might have scored as well. … Lack of a pass rush has to be improved. bikehog23: I thought the effort was there. Some of the defenders had great games, despite the outcome. Our weaknesses were exposed, but that is what happens when you play a team that has the talent of Florida and a coaching staff that knows how to prepare. Trask was just so accurate that I don't think anyone could have beaten them with him throwing like that last night. neastarkie: Had we played this Florida team last year, it would have been 63-0 at the half. He's the best QB we've faced and had a line that protected him (and) big, fast receivers that can catch. Too many people forget where we've been and just how much better we are than the last two years. jimbeau77: No reason to be discouraged, that's for sure. Florida was much superior and blew us out. Probably (it will) be another one when we play 'Bama. Just remember getting blown out was common the last two-plus years with players that weren't coached and laid down. But this year the players are still fighting to the last whistle and the blow-outs aren't so common. coloradohog: There is a big difference in being blown out by Florida who may very well be a national champion, and being blown out by Western Kentucky… ON A SERIOUS TOPIC, FANS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE "FRONT-FACING HOG" LOGO. SwineFusion: I hate FFH almost as much as I hated Popcorn Hog. But kids seem to love it. I think the previous administration just let the Nike people run amok. They put lots of schools in anthracite, not just us. And our soccer team still wears gray occasionally. LogJam: I do not like the new font either. They should have left it alone. I just hope we keep the current style football uniforms forever. stewdaddy33: I don't like the FFH either but the font is a great design. neastarkie: Our running hog is one of the most recognizable logos in sports. There just aren't any other Razorbacks. There are three Tigers in the SEC alone. tjd63: I appear to be in the extreme minority here, but I actually like the front facing hog. Do I want it on the helmets? No, but I see schools across the country have more than one logo they use for their athletic teams. … Just a way to sell more merchandise, while keeping the copyrights, so the school can collect the royalties. FANS WONDER ABOUT WHICH LSU TEAM WILL SHOW UP SATURDAY. daytonabeachhog: LSU QB Myles Brennan has passed for 1,112 yards (11 TDs) in just four games. Prior to their game against Auburn they were averaging nearly 40 points a game. They have six receivers averaging nearly 14 yards per catch. Prior to the Auburn game (with their backup QB) you had to outscore LSU to beat them you didn't stop them. (LSU defensive coordinator) Bo Pelini had the #1 sack defense in the SEC prior to the covid break! LSU's only weakness is their pass-defense. MattJones: Brennan probably isn't going to play again this year. He was injured in the Missouri game and didn't play against South Carolina. TJ Finley played well against South Carolina but did not play well against Auburn. Auburn has a good defense; South Carolina does not. I tend to think Arkansas' defense is more on the level of Auburn's than South Carolina's. I haven't seen anything from Finley or the other freshman QB that makes me think they will have a lot of success against Arkansas. Maybe they've improved in their three weeks off, but I think LSU's QB position is a big liability, and coupled with the defensive problems is the reason Arkansas is favored. eaglehog5: They are paper tigers this year. I think we are going to whup they you-know-whats! daboar: LSU has a gaggle of great offensive players. My view is this is a game about who scores last. SwineFusion: They scored 11 points on Auburn. And eight of those were in garbage time. rebuildingsince89: Extra prep time didn't do Tennessee any good. I'm not sure it's that much of an advantage. SCORE PREDICTIONS FOR SATURDAY'S GAME AGAINST LSU. jhawg: I have not watched an LSU game this year, so this is even a bigger guess than usual. Arkansas 31, LSU 28. We play as a team and give a nice effort every week. LSU does not do this, usually, when things are not going well. neastarkie: I'm afraid to predict. Superstition goes against everything I know to be true. It's totally bogus. But try as I might, I can't help but think I jinx the team when I do certain things. This year, I'm afraid if I pick them, it'll mean we lose. So going with silly superstition over intellect, I'll say, LSU 31-24. stillgreghog: Hogs 31, Kittens 21. If you had told me a few months ago I would be picking us to beat LSU, I would have (said) you were crazy. jimbeau77: Just our luck. LSU finally puts it all together and plays lights out. It's close to the end but thanks to late LSU turnover we squeak it out. Hogs 28, Tiggers 27. harleyhawgidson: If we play up to our talent and they play up to their talent, we lose. However, it is LSU. So, Hogs, 38 – 28. suigeneris: Sam makes Hogs believe, and this week that's half the battle. UA 28, LSU 20. DawgHOG: I always worry! I am banking on the offense looking like it jelled against Florida, 38-28. But I hate that everybody is picking us. I'm sure the SEC analysts will all pick LSU. I hope they do. lilhawg: LSU will study our games with A&M and Florida and develop a game plan accordingly. But I don't think they match up with those teams this year in the o-line or on D. Certainly not at QB. Hogs win, 31-24. holdenhogfield: I'm afraid Coach Ed Orgeron has had a week off to correct things, and he's a great motivator. So I think the Tiggers will give good effort. However, our offense is waking up. And the Tiggers have a true frosh QB. And our advantage in defensive coordinators is huge. Hogs 38, Tiggers 24 generalhog: 77-0 Razorbacks!!! georgiahawg: I said a couple of weeks ago this offense will score twice in 40's before the season is over. Time is running out on that prediction, but we pick up one of those against LSU. Ark. 41, LSU 34. coloradohog: Really impossible to predict what we will get out of LSU. They have had three weeks to prepare. Never had to face that. They have a lot of talent (far more than us), and the players love Coach O. They may even look at this as trying to save him. Therefore, I think we will get their best effort. I believe it hurt us for them not to play 'Bama last week. I look for a close, back and forth game. Hogs 31, Kittens 27. hogsrus: Hogs 34, Coach Ed Mumbles Team 27. eaglehog5: Hogs. 31, Paper Tigers 21. Isaiah Nichols provides consistency at tackle in the defensive line. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP Fayetteville 2558 E. Mission Blvd. Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 3589 N. College Ave., Ste. B Fayetteville, AR 72703 479.439.8823 Fort Smith 5420 Phoenix Ave., Ste. B Fort Smith, AR 72903 479.763.0725 Rogers Downtown 214 W. Walnut St. Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3227 809 SW 52nd St., Ste. 102B Rogers, AR 72756 479.877.3588 Gateway Mortgage, a division of Gateway First Bank. NMLS 7233. C O N T A C T O N E O F O U R L O C A L M O R T G A G E C E N T E R S T O D A Y ! Get in the game with Gateway www.GatewayLoan.com Local expertise Powerful resources Reliable solutions Looking for a different kind of mortgage experience? Choose Gateway where our local, knowledgeable mortgage professionals deliver superior service plus: Fayetteville 2558 E. 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