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Arkansas fans collectively held their breath Saturday when center Travis Swanson went down with a knee injury. We were all probably thinking the same thing, too. Yeah, Swanson's the dirty player here. Hunter Henry also went down with a knee injury, but didn't seem too serious, and cornerback Will Hines is out for the year with a broken right arm. The trip to Gainesville was rough as expected, but the 30-10 loss added lots of insult to the injuries. Update: Bielems announced at his Monday press conference that Hines could be back for the final two games if rehab goes well.
In a typical game week, South Carolina's opponents would be game-planning for all-world DE Jadeveon Clowney, but this week no one knows if he's going to be able to go this weekend against Arkansas, according to Steve Spurrier. Clowney received so much hype this offseason with his bone-crushing hit on Michigan's Vincent Smith it's next to impossible for him to live up to it. There's no doubt the Gamecock defense is is better with him than without, but Clowney's performance thus far hasn't been up to par for a Heisman Trophy caliber talent.
Not that Arkansas can afford to look past South Carolina next weekend, but it has recently been announced the October 19 match-up of Alabama-Arkansas will be aired on ESPN or ESPN2 at 6 p.m. I love that Arkansas is getting national exposure, but that's exactly what the game might be – exposure. I'd be all for it being a pay-per-view game. I find it hard to believe ESPN wants this game. Oh, and Arkansas is 0-3 when playing on ESPN/ESPN2 this season, so there's that.
As we begin to close in on the colder months of the year, we're also inching closer to my favorite time of the year, basketball season. Mike Anderson and the new look Hog hoops team began practice on Saturday, and already Anderson is excited about his team heading into year 3. With Arkansas' top scorers gone from a season ago, new offensive leaders must emerge. I'll gladly take more of Mardracus Wade and Anthlon Bell from deep, and zero jumpers from BJ Young. ZERO.