KNOCK ON WOOD : Prediction: Hogs go 7-5 in Petrino’s first season
With six days until kickoff of the 2008 Arkansas Razorbacks football season, it's time to have a little fun and weigh in with some predictions for the upcoming season.
While the media had the chance to watch two weeks of practice and around 200 scrimmage plays before the doors were closed on Fort Razorback, from seasons in the past, I've learned practices can be tricky to judge, particularly before scout teams are set up.
Individual defenders can catch on to plays or keys and blow them up just because they know what's coming and offenses can take advantage of defenders who are not allowed to hit the quarterback and forced to play their base scheme without blitzes and stunts for the offense's sake.
As much as anyone thinks he knows about the 2009 Hogs at this point, all will know much more by Sept. 21, the day after the Razorbacks play host to Alabama at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
By then the Razorbacks will have played two teams they should beat but improve against, faced a quality opponent on the road in Texas on Sept. 13 and a quality opponent at home in Alabama on Sept. 20.
At that point, we should know how successful first-year coach Bobby Petrino has been in teaching the Hogs his "Showtime "
offense and how much progress Arkansas' inexperienced defense has made.
Personally, I think the Razorbacks' offense is going to be very good. Casey Dick and Michael Smith are going to surprise everyone this season and the promise that such receivers as London Crawford and Carlton Salters brought with them to campus as freshmen two seasons ago will finally be fulfilled on the field.
And speaking of freshmen, the Razorbacks have some young guys like Jarius Wright, Joe Adams, De'Anthony Curtis, Dennis Johnson, Khiry Battle, and Elton Ford who will make an instant impact this season.
Defensively, I'm not so sure. The Razorbacks have talent, but lack experience practically everywhere but along the defensive front. The back third of the Hogs' defense must learn on the run and that means growing pains.
But without further adieu, here are this year's picks.
Aug. 30, Western Illinois - Bobby Petrino's opener as the Razorbacks' head coach gets off to a hot start as the Hogs' hang a half-a-hundred and dominate the Leathernecks, 56-17. Dick throws four touchdown passes before he retires to the bench.
Sept. 6, Louisiana-Monroe - After scalping Alabama last year at Tuscaloosa, Ala., the Warhawks are hunting Hog hide this year, but Petrino's wild herd of Razorbacks run wild once again with a 48-21 victory.
Sept. 13, at Texas - The Razorbacks have always fared better against the Longhorns in Austin than in either Fayetteville or Little Rock, but no dice this time. Colt McCoy and the rest of Mack Brown's Longhorns prove to be too much for the Razorbacks, posting a 33-24 victory over the Hogs.
Sept. 20, Alabama - After upsetting Clemson in its season opener and rolling over Tulane and Western Kentucky, Alabama plows into Fayetteville with a 3-0 mark. Nick Saban puts his reputation as a defensive guru up against Petrino's as an offensive master.
Bama carries a 10-point lead into the half-time lockerroom, but Crawford returns the second-half kickoff for a touchdown and with: 30 on the clock takes a short pass 45 yards for another TD to tie the game at 38 with: 45 to play.
The Razorbacks recover an onside kick and Dick completes a 13-yard strike to Ben Cleveland to set up a 54-yard field goal attempt by Alex Tejada. Tejada boots it through for a 41-38 victory.
Oct. 4, Florida - This week it's Spread vs. Spread as Petrino matches wits with Gators head coach Urban Meyer. The Razorbacks play out of their minds for three quarters to lead Florida, 28-21, going into the final quarter. But the fourth frame belongs to rambling Gators QB Tim Tebow, who leads Florida to 17 points against a tired UA defense and 38-28 win.
Oct. 11, at Auburn - Arkansas' murderer's row schedule begins to show as the Razorbacks are battered and bruised as they head to plains after physical battles against Texas, Alabama and Florida in successive games. Tommy Tuberville's Tigers grind the Hogs, 24-10, dropping the Razorbacks to 3-3 at the season's midpoint.
Oct. 18, at Kentucky - Though the Wildcats have never been known as a football powerhouse in the Southeastern Conference, the Hogs are just 2-3 against Kentucky. After a tough loss to the Tigers, the Hogs bounce back to tame the Cats 42-17.
Oct. 25, Ole Miss - Houston Nutt returns to Fayetteville with his Ole Miss Rebels on a roll after upsetting South Carolina and Alabama. But the Razorbacks are healthy for the first time since beating Bama themselves and the Hogs explode to a 28-0 halftime lead.
The Rebels crawl back into the game with three TDs in the third quarter thanks to three UA turnovers, striking fear into the heart of every Razorback fan.
But on the first play of the fourth quarter, Antwain Robinson sniffs out the old tight end fall-down play, intercepting Jevan Snead. Robinson rumbles 63 yards for a touchdown.
The Rebels fumble the ensuing kickoff and somehow little Reggie Fish scoops and scores.
With Ole Miss completely demoralized, the Razorbacks tack on two more fourth quarter scores for a 56-21 victory.
Nov. 1, Tulsa - It's the fastest show on grass, but the longest game of the year as the two squads attempt to pass each other into submission. The game is tied 28-28 at the half, but the Hogs' improving defense pitches a secondhalf shutout and Arkansas rolls to a 63-28 blowout.
Nov. 8 at South Carolina - The Hogs hit the road sporting a three-game winning streak and needing just one victory to insure themselves a bowl appearance, but it does not come this week. The Ol' Ball Coach Steve Spurrier pulls out the stops to upend the Razorbacks, 28-17, and the Hogs fall to 6-4.
Nov. 22 at Mississippi State - The Bulldogs open the game barking in Starkville, but Sylvester Croom's Mississippi State squad doesn't have the horses to keep up with the Hogs. Michael Smith explodes for 156 yards and three TDs and Dick throws two TDs to D. J. Williams, who sets a new Razorback record for catches by a tight end with 12 for 210 yards. Hogs win 48-24.
Nov. 28 LSU - It's the annual Battle of the Boot on the day after Thanksgiving, and while a division title is not on the line, a trip to the Cotton Bowl is. The winner heads to Dallas for Jan. 2, while the loser settles for Memphis and the Liberty Bowl on the same day.
The Razorbacks carry the fight to LSU, taking a 21-17 lead at halftime, but Les Miles' Tigers fight back to take a 34-20 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Razorbacks get revved up thanks to a forced fumble and recovery by Jerry Franklin. Arkansas kicks a field goal, and adds a touchdown by Jarius Wright on a reverse to pull within, 34-30. The Razorbacks hold the Tigers once again, but time runs out on the Hogs with the ball at their own 45-yard line.
And so the regular season ends with the Hogs 7-5 and headed to the Liberty Bowl to face an opponent from Conference USA.
While the season doesn't pan out as the most optimistic of Hog fans hope, it is one exciting season that sets the table for greater success in the future.
