Huh, Arkansas lost? Really, I hadn't heard: The hardcores noted during the Nutt-mania that they'd rather have Arkansas lose but still pass for 400 yards. They got their wish. Of course the defense, as usual, gives up 500 yards and all those passing yards and touchdowns don't mean squat when you lose.
Now for a little word on the obvious: The defense is terrible. And will be terrible for the rest of the season. But that's like an Arkansas tradition. Only the hardest of the hardcores won't admit that in terms of offense, Arkansas hasn't had a problem going back the last decade. It may not have been balanced like they would have liked, but the offense put up Tecmo Bowl like numbers. It was the defense that had trouble. Mostly because Arkansas couldn't get the athletes the other schools had and were playing people out of position. Linebackers at other schools were playing end at Arkansas and so forth and so on. Just undersized and lacking in the speed. Just look at the string of DCs who stretch back over the years: Reggie Herring, Willy Robinson, that other guy and then that other guy. You get the idea. Until the defense comes together and starts getting better recruits and better coaches. Arkansas will continue to lose.
Holy Toledo: You may have noticed Arkansas got a meaningless verbal commitment from a high school player in Florida. A wondrous athlete, of course, and he plays linebacker and a little bit of everything on offense, in Florida, so he must be good, right? Arkansas beat out the likes of Toledo (of Ohio) and no one else for his services. Yep, that's right, Toledo, the same place that the guy, Jamie Farr, who wore a dress on MASH, was from. That's all I know about Toledo but it seems that beating out the likes of Toledo for a prospect isn't putting Arkansas on the path to success. The kid might grow into a dandy, but, for now, the prediction for Arkansas's defense future is: Not good, again.
The Nutt-ys would have been out in full force: Former coach Houston Nutt took an amazing amount of criticism for signing players like the Florida kid and not getting the state's top prospects to stay at home. Yet Petrino, who has yet to get Michael Dyer budge from his anyone but Arkansas stance, hasn't caught the heat. Huh? I know about the honeymoon and all but I just wonder when it will come. Maybe this year if Arkansas limps to 5-7 or worse.
Hey dumb dumb: Jerry Franklin. Some were quick to note, not ESPN, that missing Arkansas's leading tackler from last season might be a problem for the Hogs against Georgia on Saturday night. Yeah, it wasn't good he was gone, but he was on the field and supposedly in coverage against the tight end, who caught Georgia's first score. Franklin's ejection might have screwed the pooch on that interception, but it didn't cost Arkansas the game.
Sexy teacher?: What look was Erin Andrews going for on Saturday night? Glasses, hair up, hair done and seriously, how tall is she? Doing the post-game with Joe Cox and she's not much shorter than him. He's listed at 6-feet-1-inches. I didn't much care for Andrews. Her lack of sideline reporting, you know, her job, from the game was seriously lacking.
Jeff Schultz's e-mail address is: Atlanta columnist Jeff Schultz does a prediction column on Friday. His take on the Arkansas-Georgia game: "Arkansas fans believe Petrino is there to stay. The rest of the world of the world is thinking: They can have him. He's 9-17 as a head coach since he stopped playing South Florida." Ouch and the record is now 9-18. Schultz might still be a little angry over the whole Falcons debacle but he makes a decent point that Petrino's Louisville record was cupcake fortified.
John Bob isn't related to Jim Bob: John Bob Reaves isn't a name Arkansas fans know because Arkansas fans have no knowledge of the SEC prior to 1992. Anyway the Orlando Sentinel had a nice look at Reaves, a former Florida and professional quarterback, who also happens to be a recovering alcoholic. More critically, Reaves is the father of Layla Kiffin, she of stripper boot fame, and the wife of Lane Kiffin. He brother is also, and Reaves's son, is also Tennessee's quarterbacks coach. Because of his addictions, Reaves and his children had a falling out. But they came back together after Reaves went into rehab. A trip that was partially funded by friends and former teammates, including some guy named Steve Spurrier.
On the road again: USC lost on the road and in the conference, again, on Saturday. Naturally this means that USC is out of the running for the national title because of the loss. A loss that is doubly loaded because of the perception of Pac-10 weakness. I'd argue that the Pac-10 is a better conference than the SEC heads give it credit for.
Seriously, what's the deal: USC with a potential national title on the line and not playing well on offense. Starting quarterback is out, backup is looking shaky and Pete Carroll still doesn't play Mitch Mustain? Really? Honestly something is weird out in Carroll's kingdom and nobody can seem to explain it. Carroll would rather lose to Washington than play Mustain. It doesn't get any stranger.
BCS buster busted: Poor BYU flying so high, only to be taken down so hard by Florida State. Whoa. Worse, it wasn't even competitive.
Da Bears: UCA beat Western Kentucky, on the road, on Saturday. You're next Glenville State!
Who am I: Not Mitchy's mom. Look hard at the photo of the Escobar Trophy and you'll see JEREMY PEPPAS as the winner, which makes me smarter than ya'll. Note: I've been told to play the part of the "heel" the term for wrestling's bad guy to generate more angry e-mails that will create greater amusement for Matt, because he likes to laugh. So while I'd prefer to be Junk Yard Dog (JYD, RIP) I will instead be the Iron Sheik. *shrug*
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