TSN Picks Hogs Over LSU

This is from The Sports Network (TSN). Writer Jeff Frank is picking Arkansas over LSU on Saturday:

The most underrated team in college football

By Jeff Frank, Contributing Editor

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) – Go through the AP Top 25 and you will not be able to locate a certain SEC club that has a chance to finish in a second- place tie in its division. This particular team is also surprisingly absent from the top 38, if you count the “others receiving votes” portion of the poll.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are the only team in the country to not only stay within single digits of Florida but to have a fourth-quarter lead against the undisputed number one team in the country. The Hogs could have very easily won that contest in Gainesville, or at the very least sent it to overtime, if Alex Tejada hadn’t missed a pair of makeable field goals in the second half.

Bobby Petrino’s club, perhaps emotionally drained from its fantastic effort that Saturday, failed to capitalize the following week at Ole Miss, a game the Rebels owned from start to finish. However, since that contest, the Razorbacks are 4-0, outscoring their opponents 194-84, and quarterback Ryan Mallet has been on fire, completing 78-of-107 passes for 1,295 yards with 13 touchdowns over that span.

Arkansas is having an extremely similar season to the one that transpired in Oxford last year. The Ole Miss Rebels not only gave Florida a tussle in ‘08, they beat the Gators, and just like this year’s Razorbacks, lost two straight games in October.

Ole Miss then reeled off five more wins to end the regular season at 8-4. If the Hogs can defeat LSU this Saturday, they’ll be 8-4 as well.

Speaking of LSU, the Tigers were abused at home last November by Ole Miss, 31-13, rushing for just 37 yards. It’s doubtful they’ll be held to that low a number against a weaker Arkansas defense, but they’re now down to their fourth- string tailback with the latest injury to Keiland Williams. The senior is out for the year after getting hurt in last week’s incredible game against the Rebels, a loss that could carry over into this week’s game.

Arkansas will certainly not be scared of LSU. The Hogs have fared very well against the Tigers lately, winning the previous two meetings.

Last year, the Razorbacks prevailed, 31-30, holding Jordan Jefferson to just nine completions in his first career start. They also shut down the Tigers’ running game, limiting Charles Scott and Keiland Williams to a combined 74 yards.

Two years ago in Baton Rouge, Arkansas won in triple overtime over the eventual national champions, and back in ‘05, lost by only two as 16.5-point underdogs.

After finishing with only five victories a year ago, the Razorbacks have a chance to win eight games in Petrino’s second season and they’ll do just that with the upset win over LSU.

Take Arkansas plus the points.

(NOTE: Arkansas-LSU graphic from the Fayetteville Flyer. Check out their Arkansas-LSU game article here).

Season Finale: Hogs vs. LSU

Here’s a link to watch Saturday’s Arkansas-LSU game on ESPN. Let’s hope the Hogs show up big time and have a good game against the Tigers!

http://www.myp2pforum.eu/ncaa/47122-ncaa-basketball-nov-23-nov-30-streaming.html

New Razorback Book!

The book is called Arkansas Football: Yesterday and Today.  It’s written by Jim Brewer.

The must have book for Razorbacks fans takes a look at the history of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Jim Brewer stopped by the THV studio to talk about the book with Wess Moore.  Click on the video button to learn more about Arkansas Football: Yesterday and Today.

Link to video on THV.

Tonight Will Tell

Tonight’s game pitting the Arkansas Razorbacks against the Louisville Cardinals will reveal a lot about where the Hogs program is … and is headed.

It is best at this point in the season to put all off season distractions aside and concentrate on the matter at hand – that is competing and winning basketball games…especially in the Southwestern Conference.

Pelphrey has to know that he might have two more years to turn the Hogs around return the program to elite status.

Actually, the dispatch of several key players of a week or so ago will be a good test of how mature – and how well coached – the young team is.

Tonight will tell.

Hogs Roll 56-20 Over Troy

Arkansas rolled 56-20 over a good Troy team Saturday night before a sold out crowd in Fayetteville. Ryan Mallett continued to impress in his first season as starting quarterback  for the Razorbacks. Once again Mallett had more than 400 passing yards in the win. The Hogs upped their record to 6-4 and became bowl eligible with the win.

Rotnei Clarke Scores Record 51 Points

Clarke Has Record-Setting Night

by ArkansasSports360.com Staff
Rotnei Clarke set a pair of school records with 51 points and 13, three-poitners in leading Arkansas to a 130-68 victory against Alcorn State on Friday.

Clarke finished 13 of 17 from behind the three-point line. He was 15 of 21 overall and 9 of 10 from behind the three-point line.

Martin Terry held the points record, scoring 47 against SMU in 1973. Al Dillard had 12 three-pointers against Delaware State in 1994.

Clarke got the scoring record on a pair of free throws with 10:17 left. He secured the three-point record with a shot from the wing with 5:16 remaining.

Arkansas fans – the few who showed – gave Clarke a standing ovation when he left the floor for good with 4:36 left.

Sports Network Picks Hogs Over Troy

By Sports Network

Posted: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

FACTS & STATS: Site: Razorback Stadium (72,000) — Fayetteville, Arkansas. Television: CSS. Home Record: Troy 4-0, Arkansas 4-1. Away Record: Troy 3-2, Arkansas 0-3. Neutral Record: Troy 0-0, Arkansas 1-0. Conference Record: Troy 6-0, Arkansas 2-4. Series Record: Arkansas leads, 2-0.

GAME NOTES: The Troy Trojans will step out of Sun Belt Conference action this weekend and head to SEC country to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in a non- league affair at Razorback Stadium.

This will be the third meeting between the two schools, with Arkansas winning the first two matchups.

Troy opened its year with two straight losses, but since then the team has reeled off seven consecutive wins. The most recent victory for the Trojans was a 40-20 decision over Western Kentucky. The Trojans have dealt with some issues on the road this season, and come into this contest with a mediocre 3-2 ledger away from home.

As for the Razorbacks, they are coming off a 33-16 victory over South Carolina. It was the second straight win for Arkansas, which is now an impressive 4-1 at home. After this contest the Razorbacks will close out their season with a home matchup against Mississippi State, followed by a road meeting with LSU.

The Trojans possess a very balanced attack offensively, and the success of the unit has led to a healthy 31.3 ppg. Troy is churning out 142.2 ypg on the ground. DuJuan Harris is leading the team with 408 yards and eight touchdowns, while Shawn Southward has contributed 336 yards and seven scores. The passing attack has also enjoyed success, thanks to the play of Levi Brown, who has thrown for 2,777 yards and 15 scores against four interceptions. The team’s dangerous attack took advantage of Western Kentucky. The ground game rumbled for 201 yards and the majority of the damage was done Southward, who rushed for 139 yards and four scores. Brown was also impressive in the win, as the quarterback threw for 251 yards and one score on 20-of-33 passing.

The defense for Troy has not been as impressive, mainly because the unit has struggled to defend the pass, as opponents are torching Troy for 256.3 ypg through the air. Overall the defense is surrendering 26.1 ppg on 390.2 total ypg. Troy has only forced 16 turnovers on the season, which is not a high amount, but the unit has done a slightly better job at pressuring the quarterback and heads into this game with 21 sacks. Although the Trojans were victorious over Western Kentucky, the defense had a poor showing, allowing the winless Hilltoppers to rack up 422 total yards, including 226 rushing yards. Brandon Lang led the way for Troy with 13 tackles and two sacks, while Chris Bowens added 12 stops in the win.

The Razorbacks do not get much attention in their own conference because of the talent in the SEC, but this is a very dangerous offensive unit, which is averaging 434.3 total ypg. The team is churning out a respectable 134.9 ypg on the ground, but the Razorbacks do not possess a top option out of the backfield. Michael Smith is leading the way, but with only 375 yards, while Broderick Green has rumbled for only 302 yards, to go along with eight touchdowns. The passing attack as been much better, and that is because of Ryan Mallet, who has thrown for 2,477 yards and 18 touchdowns against just three interceptions. Clearly Mallet’s favorite target has been Greg Childs, who is leading the team with 34 receptions, 652 yards and five touchdowns. In the team’s recent win over South Carolina, the offense put forth a lopsided effort, as Mallet threw for 329 yards, but finished the game without a touchdown pass. All four scores for Arkansas came on the ground, but the Razorbacks only rushed for 78 yards on 2.1 yards per tote. Green led the way with 47 yards and two scores, while Joe Adams and Mallet both scored a touchdown on the ground as well.

The Arkansas defense has not enjoyed similar success and has show quite a few holes throughout the season, mainly against the pass, as the defense is being torched for 271.1 ypg. Overall the team is surrendering a whopping 407.2 total ypg, and that has led to 26.1 ppg. In the team’s recent victory over South Carolina, the defense’s troubles against the pass continued as the Razorbacks allowed 327 yards through the air. However, the unit was able to hold the Gamecocks to just 53 rushing yards on 2.1 yards per attempt. Arkansas only forced one turnover in the win, giving the team 19 takeaways on the year. Jerry Franklin led the way with 10 tackles in the win, while Wendel Davis, the team’s leading tackler (62 stops and seven TFLs), finished with eight in the contest.

The Trojans are clearly the best team in their conference, but they are far way from the Sun Belt this Saturday. The Razorbacks have been successful at home, and should have no trouble going score for score with Troy.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arkansas 38, Troy 24

Razorbacks Look Good Against USC

After a lackluster and uninspired performance against Houston’s Nutt’s overrated Ole Miss Rebels, the Arkansas Razorbacks returned to SEC play and won convincingly 33-16 over the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday.

Ryan Mallett completed 23 of 27 passes for 329 yards to lead the Razorbacks. Mallett was 12 for 13 in the second half, and the Razorbacks scored 23 unanswered points to finish the game.

Now 5-4, how Arkansas finishes the season is in their hands, as all of their remaining games – including LSU – are winnable. One more win will make the Razorbacks bowl eligible.

A Must Win Week for Hogs

Make no mistake. This is a must-win week for the Arkansas Razorbacks. If they lose to South Carolina, their season is over and I believe most folks will begin to turn against Bobby Petrino. Everyone expected more at this point falling back to 4-5 at this stage is completely unacceptable. Despite an extremely tough schedule, the faithful expressed sincere hope – including myself – that we would only have lost to Alabama and Florida at this point of the season…and would be 6-2 and bowl bound.

Stay tuned. This could get interesting…really quick.