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This week has been one of the longer in recent memory. Not only did the Razorbacks embarrass themselves six days ago to a degree that left even Gary Danielson speechless and Verne Lundquist showing more frustration (using four letter words on national TV) and emotion than John L. Smith's team.
Then Mr. Smith tops off a 50-point blowout with his selfish shenanigans at a press conference two days ago. To top off his week the media got a hold of his records and it was released that Mr. Smith is more than $25 million in debt. Was he trying to buy the entire state of Kentucky?
It is incredibly frustrating having to defend John L.'s foolish choices and before this week, I tried. He has lost me foever and his entire team. Mr. Everything Quarterback Tyler Wilson is now the unquestioned leader for our Hogs, as if he did not hold that title already. I will always support him and any player with a Razorback on the side of their helmet.
I digress... Thankfully, Wilson is cleared to play from the doctors and there are 9 games in front of Wilson's Razorbacks and with their talent level, it can be somewhat salvaged.
If anything we as college football fans get another weekend of football. Enjoy them. You only get 12 each year.
Saturday at Noon
Maryland at No. 8 West Virginia (FX)- If you have not seen the Mountaineers offense yet this season, you need to watch. Quarterback Geno Smith leads an offense that averages over 600 yards a game and puts an average of 56 points on the scoreboard. It is sort of what we thought the Arkansas offense would look like in January.
Virginia at TCU (ESPN)- This game will be more of a true test for the Horned Frogs defense, which through three games is allowing only three points a game. Sure they have played Grambling State and Kansas in their first two games, but it's an impressive number nonetheless. TCU wins but they allow more than a field goal to the Cavaliers.
Mid-day
Missouri at No. 7 South Carolina (3:30 p.m., CBS)- With an offensive line that likes to protect their quarterback Conner Shaw about as much as Arkansas, the Gamecocks on the line have to do better if they want to keep their high ranking. Missouri is coming of a hard-fought win over Arizona State, which should better them for this week as both USC and the Sun Devils run a spread-like offense. However, the Gamecocks win, and Shaw stays healthy, leaving Mizzou just about ready to quit grown man football
Oregon State at No. 19 UCLA (3:30 p.m., ABC)- Two undefeated teams go head-to-head in their Pac-12 openers. UCLA coach Jim Mora has the Bruins looking much better and with much of their skill talent being young it looks like he could sustain it. They will get a test against a Beaver team that knocked off Wisconsin two weeks ago in Corvallis. The Beavers in their second of three consecutive games against ranked opponents. UCLA wins easy and the nation is forced to take notice of the other team in Los Angeles.
Night
Rutgers at Arkansas (7 p.m., ESPNU)- Will the white helmets this week signify a surrender of this season by the Razorbacks? If you are reading this site, chances are you are hoping not. With Wilson back on the field, the Hogs should be able to score enough points to put away the Scarlet Knights, but we thought that about ULM, too. Arkansas wins but the offensive line MUST protect Tyler like a newborn baby because if he is hit again and is out for the SEC slate upcoming, there will be real trouble on the hill.
No. 18 Michigan at No. 11 Notre Dame (7:30 p.m., NBC)- Notre Dame and Michigan are back and the media is ready to shove both programs down your throat. While it remains to be seen how "back" these programs are it will be a fun watch on Saturday night, even if Notre Dame Stadium is terribly lit at night. The Irish have one of the best defensive lines outside of the SEC and the country's top linebacker which will put plenty of pressure on the Wolverine quarterback Denard Robinson. Being able to keep Robinson in the pocket and an improved pass defense will help the Irish win.
No. 15 Kansas State at No. 6 Oklahoma (7:50 p.m., FX)- A year ago, Kansas State was up 17-14in the second quarter over the Sooners. The Wildcats finished the night with 17 points but surrendered 44 points and lost 58-17. The Wildcats and Heisman darkhorse quarterback Collin Klein look for revenge against the quietest top 10-ranked team in Oklahoma. The spread is 14 points in favor of the Sooners. They win. And cover.
No. 10 Clemson at No. 4 Florida State (8 p.m., ABC)- Nothing says football like tailgating in 90 degree weather in late September, Gameday, and the ACC. One of these teams get a win against a top-10 team on Saturday, and if they follow recent trends, will find a way to lose to a lesser team on the road. The best battle will be the Tiger offense against the Seminole defense. The winner will be on the other side of the ball, if Clemson can stop the Seminole offense. In a close match, the Seminoles win.
Late Night
No. 22 Arizona at No. 3 Oregon (10:30 p.m., ESPN)- Rarely do you get the chance to see a game with two ranked teams in this time slot so stay up and watch this marathon of a game. With these two offenses (both average almost 600 yards a game) and late start this game could last until 2:30 a.m. EST. If anything, it will be worth seeing Dr. Lou Holtz on the post game show, a good six hours past his bedtime. The Ducks' De'Anthony Thomas has seven touchdowns this season and has only touched the ball 24 times on offense. Absurd. Look for Oregon's pinball offense to score more points, if you stay up this late.
Upset alert- Vanderbilt at Georgia (7:45 p.m., ESPN2)- If my life depended on it, I would go with the Bulldogs, but Vandy and James Franklin have a strange way of sticking around and making things interesting, especially with Georgia.
Most intriguing game without a ranked team- Utah at Arizona State (10:00 p.m., Pac-12 Network)- Two teams, who when they started this season did not plan on being unranked this early. However, tough out-of-conference losses put them here. Both teams would love their first conference win, but the Sun Devils get the win with a strong defensive performance.
If I could go to one game- I would be headed to South Bend, Indiana. Who knows how much longer this season the Irish will be relevant so you have to take advantage of it while you can. Night games at Notre Dame have not been the same since 2005 and the "Bush Push" game.
Season record- 21-8