College Football Championship Week: Finally Here

I don't really have much to say for this week, except that this championship week just looks weird.  Because of postponed games and cancellations, some of the teams playing this week have like maybe 6 or 5 games played.  This year has been weird for sports because of Covid-19.  But hey, at least we are getting these games this week.  It's finals week too for the University of Arkansas and I am almost done with my first semester for my master's degree.  It's been hectic and I bet we all want a break right now.

Now let's get to the predictions for this week of football.  My predictions last time for College Football was 10-3 (76.9%) and my Underdog predictions were 0-0 (none%).  My running total for College Football is 74-21  (77.9%) and for Underdog predictions is 1-8 (11.1%).  For NFL, I was 7-9 (43.8%) and my NFL Underdog predictions were 0-0 (none%).  My running total for NFL is 51-31 (62.2%) and my NFL Underdog predictions are 0-5 (0%). Now here are my next predictions.

College Football Week 16

Oregon vs. USC: USC

Northwestern vs. Ohio State: Ohio State

Texas A&M vs. Tennessee: Texas A&M

Oklahoma vs. Iowa State: Oklahoma

Louisiana vs. C. Carolina: C. Carolina

Clemson vs. Notre Dame: Clemson

Boise State vs. San Jose State: Boise State

Alabama vs. Florida: Alabama

Tulsa vs. Cincinnati: Cincinnati

College Football Underdogs

NFL Week 15

Chargers vs. Raiders: Raiders

Bills vs. Broncos: Bills

Panthers vs. Packers: Packers

Chiefs vs. Saints: Chiefs

Buccaneers vs. Falcons: Buccaneers

49ers vs. Cowboys: Cowboys

Lions vs. Titans: Titans

Texans vs. Colts: Colts

Patriots vs. Dolphins: Dolphins

Bears vs. Vikings: Bears

Seahawks vs. Washington: Seahawks

Jaguars vs. Ravens: Ravens

Jets vs. Rams: Rams

Eagles vs. Cardinals: Cardinals

Browns vs. Giants: Browns

Steelers vs. Bengals: Steelers

NFL Underdogs

Alabama vs. Arkansas: Maybe a Miracle?

Well, it has now come to this.  Last week's loss was very heart breaking.  Our defense in the 4th quarter was just so...dumb.  Hopefully we can give Alabama a show.  I don't expect us to win, but boy I would love to be wrong.  If we do lose, our record would be 3-7 which I actually did predict that our record would be in a previous post linked here.  I actually predicted that we would win the games that we actually did win!  My gosh that's pretty cool.  Well, now it looks like we'll definitely lose against Alabama now.  But please, let me be wrong this time!

Now let's get to the predictions for this week of football.  My predictions last time for College Football was 14-7 (66.67%) and my Underdog predictions were 0-0 (none%).  My running total for College Football is 64-18  (78%) and for Underdog predictions is 1-8 (11.1%).  For NFL, I was 8-6 (57.1%) and my NFL Underdog predictions were 0-1 (0%).  My running total for NFL is 44-22 (66.67%) and my NFL Underdog predictions are 0-5 (0%). Now here are my next predictions.

College Football Week 15

Alabama vs. Arkansas: Alabama

Georgia vs. Missouri: Georgia

Oklahoma vs. WVU: Oklahoma

Illinois vs. Northwestern: Northwestern

Utah vs. Colorado: Colorado

C. Carolina vs. Troy: C. Carolina

North Carolina vs. Miami: Miami

Wisconsin vs. Iowa: Iowa

Texas vs. Kansas: Texas

LSU vs. Florida: Florida

Oklahoma St. vs. Baylor: Oklahoma St.

USC vs. UCLA: USC

San Diego State vs. BYU: BYU

College Football Underdogs

NFL Week 14

Patriots vs. Rams: Patriots

Chiefs vs. Dolphins: Chiefs

Texans vs. Bears: Texans

Cowboys vs. Bengals: Cowboys

Cardinals vs. Giants: Cardinals

Vikings vs. Buccaneers: Buccaneers

Broncos vs. Panthers: Panthers

Titans vs. Jaguars: Titans

Colts vs. Raiders: Raiders

Jets vs. Seahawks: Seahawks

Packers vs. Lions: Packers

Saints vs. Eagles: Saints

Falcons vs. Chargers: Falcons

Washington vs. 49ers: 49ers

Steelers vs. Bills: Steelers

Ravens vs. Browns: Browns

NFL Underdogs

The Battle Line Rivalry: Back Again

We are finally back at the Mizzou vs. Arkansas game.  To be honest, I've never really felt like this was a proper rivalry.  It's like once Mizzou joined the SEC, they needed to have some rivalry to solidify them in the conference.  Arkansas seemed like the better choice and so boom, there it is.  I just really want Arkansas to win this game because we've only beaten them once since they've joined the conference!  The last time was in 2015 when they were really bad and we were in one of Bret Bielema's best years.  Then the next year in 2016 we should've won that game but that was when Bret Bielema forgot how to keep a good lead in the game and they came back and won.  I believe that was the real start of Bret Bielema getting in the hot seat.  I would think that we would win more games against Mizzou than just 1 game!  C'mon Razorbacks.  We really need this.  Of course we are more competitive this year and we should have a better chance to do it.  Let's gooooo!

Now let's get to the predictions for this week of football.  My predictions last time for College Football was 12-3 (80%) and my Underdog predictions were 0-2 (0%).  My running total for College Football is 50-11  (82%) and for Underdog predictions is 1-8 (11.1%).  For NFL, I was 8-5 (61.5%) and my NFL Underdog predictions were 0-1 (0%).  My running total for NFL is 36-16 (69.2%) and my NFL Underdog predictions are 0-4 (0%). Now here are my next predictions.

College Football Week 14

Louisiana vs. Appalachian St: Appalachian St

Ohio St vs. Michigan St: Ohio St

Texas A&M vs. Auburn: Texas A&M

Oklahoma St. vs. TCU: Oklahoma St.

W Carolina vs. North Carolina: North Carolina

Rice vs. Marshall: Marshall

Syracuse vs. Notre Dame: Notre Dame

Florida vs. Tennessee: Florida

West Virginia vs. Iowa State: Iowa State

Indiana vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin

Iowa vs. Illinois: Iowa

Tulsa vs. Navy: Tulsa

Vanderbilt vs. Georgia: Georgia

Stanford vs. Washington: Washington

BYU vs. C. Carolina: C. Carolina

Oregon vs. Cal: Oregon

Clemson vs. Virginia Tech: Clemson

Alabama vs. LSU: Alabama

Miami vs. Duke: Miami

Baylor vs. Oklahoma: Oklahoma

Washington St. vs. USC: USC

Mizzou vs. Arkansas: Arkansas

College Football Underdogs

NFL Week 13

Broncos vs Chiefs: Chiefs

Saints vs. Falcons: Saints

Lions vs. Bears: Bears

Browns vs. Titans: Titans

Bengals vs. Dolphins: Dolphins

Jaguars vs. Vikings: Vikings

Raiders vs. Jets: Raiders

Rams vs. Cardinals: Cardinals

Giants vs. Seahawks: Seahawks

Eagles vs. Packers: Packers

Patriots vs. Chargers: Chargers

Washington vs. Steelers: Steelers

Bills vs. 49ers: Bills

Cowboys vs. Ravens: Ravens

NFL Underdogs

Colts vs. Texans: Texans

LSU vs. Arkansas: The Battle for the Golden Boot

For once, the Razorbacks actually have a good chance to beat LSU.  The last time that we beat them was in 2015 when Bret Bielema was actually on a roll before he got fired later in 2017.  But this rivalry has been more competitive in recent years than with the likes of us playing Alabama.  Since 2007, the Hogs are 5-8 against LSU.  We were actually 5-4 against them before our 4 game losing streak against them beginning in 2016.

But you know what, we actually have a decent QB in Feleipe Franks this year.  His passer rating is 161.3 so far with 16 TDs and 3 INTs.  You want to know the QB stats from the Chad Morris years?  The average QB rating last year (including anybody else who threw at least a pass attempt) was 101.4 with a combined 14 TDs and 15 INTs.  For 2018, a rating of 112.4 with 17 TDS and 18 INTS.  In other words, Feleipe Franks has out performed 8 QBS, 3 WRs, 1 RB, and 1 Punter (I checked who threw passes those 2 seasons on ESPN) in 7 games than all of those players for 24 games.  Of course he didn't throw as many touchdowns, but he definitely could if he was able to play 24 games with us!  

Also, our defense has improved even though we haven't looked that great against some teams.  But, we are 3-1 whenever our defense can create 2 turnovers or more during a game.  This means we really need the defense to put on their A game to create turnovers.  Our offense also needs to score with the opportunities that our defense can give them.

That's by little analysis on what needs to be done to win the game.  Now I want to get on some good memories about this rivalry: LSU vs. Arkansas.  I did this for when we played Tennessee and we wont so I hope the same happens this week.  Soooo, remember when we beat #1 LSU in 2007? Yes I do and here's a reminder to go back to that:

Remember when Ryan Mallett threw a touchdown to Cobi Hamilton in 2010 before the half?  Here's another reminder here:

Remember when Alex Collins broke an 80 yard touchdown against LSU in 2015?  I actually remember it by listening to it on the radio on the way home from a trip with my dad as we both grinned as it happened.  Here it is from the TV perspective:

Now let's get to the predictions for this week of football.  My predictions last time for College Football was 14-2 (87.5%) and my Underdog predictions were 0-2 (0%).  My running total for College Football is 38-8  (82.6%) and for Underdog predictions is 1-6 (14.3%).  For NFL, I was 12-2 (85.7%) and my NFL Underdog predictions were 0-0 (none%).  My running total for NFL is 28-11 (71.8%) and my NFL Underdog predictions are 0-3 (0%). Now here are my next predictions.

College Football Week 12

Tulane vs. Tulsa: Tulsa

Indiana vs. Ohio State: Ohio State

Clemson vs. Florida State: Clemson

Florida vs. Vanderbilt: Florida

Appalachian St. vs. C. Carolina: C. Carolina

North Alabama vs. BYU: BYU

Wisconsin vs. Northwestern: Wisconsin

UCLA vs. Oregon: Oregon

Kentucky vs. Alabama: Alabama

Kansas State vs. Iowa State: Iowa State

Tennessee vs. Auburn: Auburn

Mississippi State vs. Georgia: Georgia

Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma: Oklahoma

Liberty vs. NC State: Liberty

LSU vs. Arkansas: Arkansas

College Football Underdogs

Cincinnati vs. UCF: UCF

USC vs. Utah: Utah

NFL Week 11

Cardinals vs. Seahawks: Seahawks

Chiefs vs. Raiders: Chiefs

Eagles vs. Browns: Browns

Bengals vs. Washington: Bengals

Lions vs. Panthers: Panthers

Steelers vs. Jaguars: Steelers

Titans vs. Ravens: Titans

Patriots vs. Texans: Patriots

Dolphins vs. Broncos: Dolphins

Jets vs. Chargers: Chargers

Packers vs. Colts: Colts

Cowboys vs. Vikings: Vikings

Rams vs. Buccaneers: Buccaneers

NFL Underdogs

Falcons vs. Saints: Falcons

Hogs vs. Volunteers. Thanks for the Memories

Last week's game was tough to handle.  The Hogs look much more improved now, but not enough to beat a Top 10 team yet.  But there is progress and it should still be noted.  This week we should be able to grow more and improve against non other than Tennessee.  They are 2-3 as well and have been pretty inconsistent so far.  They started 2-0 but have had a rough 3 games against Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama.  They've been outscore 126-45 in those games.  That 34-7 thrashing by Kentucky was brutal.  But now I bet they are really looking for a win now after going through a literal KFC fryer.  Guess what? We are not gonna stop because it looks like the Hogs are not going to give up after another loss to Texas A&M.

When I have any recent memories of Arkansas vs. Tennessee, they are good ones.  Remember in 2011 when we played them and Joe Adams did the most incredible punt return ever? Here is a reminder:

You remember the last time that we played? Man what a game.

You know what's great?  These are actually the last two games that we've had against Tennessee.  We actually have a 2 win streak against them still.  Good thing Chad Morris didn't have us play against them or he would've done the unthinkable: lose by 40 against Tennessee.  Good thing that that never happened so let's goooooo!

Now let's get to the predictions for this week of football.  My predictions last week for College Football was 13-3 (81.3%) and my Underdog predictions were 1-2 (33.3%).  My running total for College Football is 24-6  (80%) and for Underdog predictions is 1-4 (20%).  For NFL, I was 7-6 (53.8%) and my NFL Underdog predictions were 0-1 (0%).  My running total for NFL is 16-9 (64%) and my NFL Underdog predictions are 0-3 (0%). Now here are my next predictions.

College Football Week 10

Miami vs. NC State: Miami

Michigan vs. Indiana: Indiana

SMU vs. Temple: SMU

Arizona State vs. USC: USC

West Virginia vs. Texas: Texas

Liberty vs. Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech

UMass vs. Marshall: Marshall

Florida vs. Georgia: Georgia

Houston vs. Cincinnati: Cincinnati

Kansas vs. Oklahoma: Oklahoma

Texas A&M vs. South Carolina: Texas A&M

Baylor vs. Iowa State: Iowa State

Clemson vs. Notre Dame: Notre Dame

Rutgers vs. Ohio State: Ohio State

South Alabama vs. Coastal Carolina: Coastal Carolina

Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Arkansas

College Football Underdogs

BYU vs. Boise State: Boise State

Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State: Kansas State

NFL Week 9

Packers vs. 49ers: Packers

Panthers vs. Chiefs: Chiefs

Broncos vs. Falcons: Falcons

Seahawks vs. Bills: Seahawks

Bears vs Titans: Titans

Ravens vs. Colts: Ravens

Lions vs. Vikings: Vikings

Giants vs. Washington: Giants

Texans vs. Jaguars: Texans

Raiders vs. Chargers: Raiders

Steelers vs. Cowboys: Steelers

Dolphins vs. Cardinals: Cardinals

Saints vs. Buccaneers: Saints

Patriots vs. Jets: Patriots

NFL Underdogs

(None)

It Is Time to Make Texas A&M See the New Hogs

 We are done with a bye week for the Hogs and time for a rematch with Texas A&M!  I would probably say that going into this game is a reminder of one of Bret Bielema's biggest failures as a coach here in Arkansas: never beating Texas A&M once.  There were so many times where he could've done it and it just did not happen.  He had 5 games against them and 3 of them went into overtime.  Chad Morris lost both times to Texas A&M of the 2 games that he had and all by one score.  Even before Bret Bielema and Chad Morris, we had John L. Smith and he had one time to beat Texas A&M.  We lost 58-10 that year.  The last time that we beat Texas A&M was in 2011 which was Bobby Petrino's last season with us.  Oh if he only wasn't doing bad things and got on the motor cycle wreck.  But for now, we have Sam Pittman and we are so much better so far with him.  I have a good feeling that we can actually do it this time for once.  We are 8th in the nation in Defensive Efficiency.  We just need to work on offense to be more consistent.  If all of that works well, we can do it.  I am tired of still losing to Texas A&M and I bet you are tired too.  It has been 9 years!  This has been the longest win streak that Texas A&M has ever had against Arkansas.  Arkansas, historically, leads this series 41-32-2.  Let's bring this series back to form.

Now let's get to the predictions for this week of football.  My predictions last week for College Football was 11-3 (78.6%) and my Underdog predictions were 0-2 (0%).  For NFL, I was 9-3 (75%) and my Underdog predictions were also 0-2 (0%).  Now here are my next predictions.

College Football Week 9

Marshall vs. FIU: Marshall

Boston College vs. Clemson: Clemson

Georgia vs. Kentucky: Georgia

Memphis vs. Cincinnati: Cincinnati

Michigan St. vs. Michigan: Michigan

C. Carolina vs. Georgia State: C. Carolina

Iowa State vs. Kansas: Iowa State

Notre Dame vs. Georgia Tech: Notre Dame

Wisconsin vs. Nebraska: Wisconsin

Texas vs. Oklahoma St.: Oklahoma St.

Boise State vs. Air Force: Boise State

Mississippi State vs. Alabama: Alabama

Ohio State vs. Penn State: Ohio State

Missouri vs. Florida: Florida

Navy vs. SMU: SMU

North Carolina vs. Virginia: North Carolina

Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech: Oklahoma

W Kentucky vs. BYU: BYU

College Football Underdogs

Arkansas vs. Texas A&M: Arkansas

Kansas St. vs. West Virginia: West Virginia

Indiana vs. Rutgers: Rutgers

NFL Week 7

Falcons vs. Panthers: Panthers

Jets vs. Chiefs: Chiefs

Patriots vs. Bills: Bills

Titans vs. Bengals: Titans

Raiders vs. Browns: Browns

Colts vs. Lions: Colts

Vikings vs. Packers: Packers

Rams vs. Dolphins: Rams

Steelers vs. Ravens: Steelers

Chargers vs. Broncos: Chargers

Saints vs. Bears: Saints

Cowboys vs. Eagles: Eagles

Buccaneers vs. Giants: Buccaneers

NFL Underdogs

49ers vs. Seahawks: 49ers

Let's go Hogs!

Hog Fans.........Sam Pittman is The Man

This recent Arkansas Razorback win against Ole Miss really has me passionate about the program.  This is a program for the past 2 seasons under Chad Morris never won an SEC game!  And now Sam Pittman has achieved so much more in 4 games than Chad Morris did in his 22 games he was here (would've been 24 games if he didn't get fired early).  Already Sam Pittman has won 2 SEC games for away and for home.  Last time we won an SEC away game was against Ole Miss in 2017 with Bret Bielema.  Last we won a home SEC game was in November of 2016 against Florida!  I was actually at that game! 4 years ago!

So, Sam Pittman is 2-2 right now for his overall record.  That is a 50% winning percentage so far.  Chad Morris went 4-18 which is 18.2%!  After Chad Morris got fired last year, he was hired as offensive coordinator for Auburn.  They are 2-2 also and performing below their standard.  This next meme describes my feelings towards their current loss to South Carolina.

Anyway, I am so excited after what I've seen with Sam Pittman so far.  Heck, I already made a chart of data that further shows why this is The Man for the job at Arkansas.  Look down here:

As you can see, this is the whole season turnover margins for Arkansas since 2012 (Post-Petrino Era).  What you need to notice though is that Sam Pittman was a coach at Arkansas once for the offensive line.  He was here for that from 2013 - 2015.  Notice a trend here?  The only times since 2012 that we've had an overall turnover margin that was positive was when he was here! Link The link here goes to another article that I wrote that further shows the good trends that happened when Sam Pittman was at Arkansas before.  Let them Hogs shine! Chad Morris sucks! John L. Smith sucked too! Bret Bielema needed Sam Pittman I think to keep his job when he was here.  Curse you Bobby Petrino!  Okay, I think I'm done venting about past coaches that we've had.  It just feels so darn good to see our team actually competing and playing well.  That defense looked like it was having fun and it has been a long time since I've seen that happen.  Maybe the first time ever.  We did have like 2 shut-outs in a row in 2014 with our defense.  Remember who was a coach here?  Sam Pittman!

If you didn't know, I graduated with my Undergraduate in Mathematics last year in December.  My graduation was I think a week or two after Sam Pittman got hired as Head Coach here.  Now look what happened in this image:

That's me and Sam Pittman!  He bothered to even come to graduations even as soon as he got here.  He had this energy about him that brought me hope.  

Ok, I think I'm done praising Sam Pittman.  I just pray the success continues and that he'll coach here for a long time and then retire here.  Now I want to do my picks this week for college football and NFL.

I'm gonna do something different this time around.  I'll have my usual picks but I'll also make an underdog section where I'll pick significant games where an upset could occur.  I'll do that for college and NFL.

College Football Week 8

Illinois vs. Wisconsin: Wisconsin

Syracuse vs. Clemson: Clemson

Nebraska vs. Ohio State: Ohio State

Kansas vs. Kansas St.: Kansas St.

Ga Southern vs. Coastal Carolina: Coastal Carolina

FAU vs. Marshall: Marshall

Alabama vs. Tennessee: Alabama

Iowa State vs. Oklahoma State: Oklahoma State

Penn State vs. Indiana: Penn State

Virginia Tech vs. Wake Forest: Virginia Tech

Michigan vs. Minnesota: Michigan

Virginia vs. Miami: Miami

Cincinnati vs. SMU: SMU

Texas State vs. BYU: BYU

College Football Underdogs

NC State vs. North Carolina: NC State

Notre Dame vs. Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh

NFL Week 7

Giants vs. Eagles: Eagles

Chiefs vs. Broncos: Chiefs

Lions vs. Falcons: Lions

Steelers vs. Titans: Titans

Panthers vs. Saints: Saints

Bills vs. Jets: Bills

Cowboys vs. Washington: Washington

Seahawks vs. Cardinals: Seahawks

49ers vs. Patriots: Patriots

Jaguars vs. Chargers: Chargers

Buccaneers vs. Raiders: Buccaneers

Bears vs. Rams: Rams

NFL Underdogs

Browns vs. Bengals: Bengals

Packers vs. Texans: Texans