First Time Poster - Razorbacks 2011

First, let me say I have been an avid covers reader for about 3 years, but not a poster. I thought I would join in the conversations this year. I would also like to thank you guys for your research and time...I have acquired some great insight over the last few years through you guys.

Boom Boom - I love reading your preseason capsules

Double Up - I look forward to your fonts, colors, predictions each week

And there are many more!

Being a diehard Hog fan and SEC fan (i know...like the board needs another SEC supporter, right!) I thought I would share a little insight on the Razorbacks.

As you guys know, the SEC West is as loaded as it has ever been with - Ala, LSU, MSU, Ark.

Hog thoughts - Bobby Petrino is a genius. I have been around alot of coaches, heard many speak, talked to many personally...he has as much offensive football (scheme,x's and o's) knowledge as anybody I have ever spoken with. We are returning the leading rusher from the running back position (Cam Newton was rushing leader last year) in Knile Davis (over 1300 yards ly). He also has a couple of other quality backs to take some of the load off. We have the best (what i think to be) WR corp in the nation - Greg Childs, Joe Adams, Jarius Wright, Cobi Hamilton. Childs is a beast - this guy has veins bulging from his forarms like waterhoses. Yes, we are bringing in a new qb - Tyler Wilson. However, I think he is more suited for Petrino's offense than Mallet. Wilson will suprise many. He qbed a championship Greenwood (very good spread offense) team in high school, has been at Fayetteville for several years getting bigger, stronger, and learning the offense...his play ly during the Auburn game when Mallet got hurt was not a fluke (in less than 3 qtrs he threw for 323 yrd and 4 tds!). I know it is different when you carry the load as a starter and all that goes into that...but what i am saying is that we will not have a drop off at the position. The OL is the big question. But we do have a couple of guys that started some last year and others with sig playing time. Also mix in a talented juco transfer and the OL will not be great, but will be good enough to get the job done. Plus in Petrino's offense, if their is one position he can scheme get by with average play it is the OL. The defense will be the best it has been in the Petrino era. We finally have some veteran guys where we can play the type of defense we want. In the past, some of our schemes had to be adusted to our young players....this year this side of the ball is experienced - 7 returning starters and others with sig playing time.

We will be 3-0 going into Ala...which i think will be one of the best games of the NCAA football season. We get SC at home, MSU in LR (Hogs do not lose in LR) and finish at LSU (ARK has won 3 of last 4). I think the Hogs have as good as a shot of winning the west as anyone else. We are better than last years 10-2 season that averaged 36.5 ppg and 480 ypg. We lost to ALA 20-24, and Auburn 43-65. (if you watched the AU game - we were two blown calls from winning the game - and yes, they were obvious BLOWN calls).

The hogs are anywhere form 35/30 -1 to win the nat'l title. I would say they are def worth a look...3 of the last 4 nat'l champs have had new starting qbs...can we make it 4 of the last 5????

Anyway...some thoughts on the Hogs.

Thanks again for the many insightful threads I have the past seasons...look forward to this season.

Very nice write up!!! 

I agree that Arkansas is a legitimate threat in the SEC West.  They are very capable of winning every game on their schedule.

We know about Petrino's prowess on the offensive side of the ball.  I also agree with your assessment of Tyler Wilson.  Mallet was a statue in the pocket.  Defensive coordinators knew that if you could force Mallet off of his square, he was mistake-prone.  Wilson, on the other hand, is much better of creating on the move.  That allows him to keep plays alive, and turn negative plays into positive plays.  He very well be ore of a threat than Mallet.

If Arky is going to take the next step in the SEC however, I think they'll need to see some improvement on the defensive side of the ball.  I think Petrino recognizes that, and seems particularly excited about his defense this season.  If his excitement translates into results, that'll certainly be a good sign for the Razorbacks.

I also agree with you that their biggest game of the year will be in Tuscaloosa on September 24th.  With this being a home game for Bama, I think you have to give them  slight edge, but there is no question they are capable of winning that game.  And based on how last year's game turn out, you can bet the Razorbacks will stroll into Bryant Denny Stadium with plenty of confidence.  Should be a good one!!!

Thanks to you guys for the welcome. 

The thing that Wilson lacks right now that Mallet had was leadership...I am talking about on field, in huddle, sideline, etc.  Mallet was a good leader and had that moxie. 

Yes, Wilson has more mobility.  That was the big knock with Mallet...could not move that big body around much.

Accuracy...not sure about that.  Mallet can make throws very few can.  He has a strong, accurate arm.  Now if you said Wilson has more "touch" on his balls, (boy, that just doesn't sound right!) that would be right.  Mallet would throw the 5 yard crossing pass like it came from a cannon...very difficult to catch.

Jimmydafreak....right on brother with your statements.  I do believe our defense is catching up.  I went up in the spring a few times and our defense looked really good.  I will be very suprised if we don't take a big step forward this year on that side of the ball.

I think the offense will be better as well.  Yes, Knile Davis turned it on during the season ly.  Petrino rotated many backs during the first part...alot to do with other factors.  Such as...Davis was not a good blocker starting out and in alot Petrino's packages, the RB is used as another blocker.  Broderick Green started several games early because he was the best blocking back the Hogs had...essentially another OL back there.  Davis improved...able to leave him in more.  People are also forgetting about (who many thought was going to be the best back ly but was lost to injury) Dennis Johnson.  He will be back and ready.

ChOdaZ - thanks man.  I just like looking at your avatar!

BTW - according to the Boston Herald, Mallet has really been impressive and has already moved up depth chart.  I do think that people are overlooking how good he was for us.  However, with his tools, physical presence, arm strength...I think he is as much suited for the NFL as he was college.  It will be exciting to see how he progresses over the next few years.

Like Arkansas to Win the West at 9-1 or better....Decent Value with a team that returns so Much .... 10+ Wins happens 34%+ of the time according to my Numbers   

Over 8.5 Season Wins has value

Alabama has some Land Mines on the schedule ...Should Lose 1+ game ....Don't see any value in the 2-1 Odds to win the SEC...I would wait till they Lose a game and then the value should be there ,,

LSU is 1 of MY TOP 3 Overrated Squads in the Country ...Schedule has me thinking 8-4????

Mississippi St While the Bulldogs are lucky to Catch Both Bama and LSU at Home, a Improved Ole Miss and My East fav. South Carolina come to Starkville as well ..3-1 (SEC) is a Must at Home ...

Road games look tough at Auburn ,Georgia,UK,Arkansas...Not sure anything better than 2-2 is Possible .. 

Ole Miss and Auburn might fight it out for a Bowl Bid ...Still I think both are capable of pulling a Upset or 2+...

If you have a couple of minutes...are a hog fan check out this video.  It gives me chills everytime I watch it.  The song is pretty cool too...this guy won a contest with it last year.  If you just appreciate college football and its fans....you will like it too. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyUq5hu3JhQ

Quote Originally Posted by Arid_Torpor:

I'm just gonna say, I get less chills from "Stoerner to Lucas" and more from "he stumbled and fumbled." 

Yeah, the Stoerner stumble is infamous here.  Too bad the guy's career will be highlighted by that play.  Kind of like the Bunkner thing with the ball going between his legs.  Up until that fumble...man, what a game!

Hogpen - will you be attending any fall camp practices this month?  If so, would appreciate forwarding any comments you might have on how the team is executing and, particularly, whether Tyler continues executing as he did throughout spring and in the spring game.  If so, hogs will be an exciting team to watch....Also, I have heard that defensive team speed, generally, has improved a lot, particularly last year over previous years.  Any assessment on how the defense moves laterally and to the ball compared to the past would be welcomed....(I attended UA in the '80s....:)....

HogPen

Welcome!

I agree on Petrino.   I think Arkansas could have a special season this year.

Question - I have targeted Arkansas over New Mexico in Week 2.  My preliminary spread is Arkansas -32.  I understand the game is at Little Rock.   I know LR is a quasi home game for Arkansas.   Do the Razorbacks play well in LR also.   Do you think Petrino will run up the score against an overmatched NM team coached by the coaching bully Locksley?  Thanks in advance and have a great season.

Arkansas usually plays 2 games a year in LR...an early season non-conference game and then either MSU or LSU (alternate years) at the end of season.  Yes, the hogs play well in LR...and it is a wild atmosphere. 

But...the early season game they only cover about 50% of the time.  It is always against someone the should spank...pt spread is usually somewhere b/t 32 and 38.  So now you ask why only cover about 50% of time??? The game is usually never in doubt and they cruise to a win....since the opponent in this game is usually of lesser caliber and we have alot of southern and central Arkansas kids on the team...they try and get everyone in the game.  It is difficult for those families to make the trip up to Fayetteville for many games so LR is there only time to see them.  Coaches do a good job of getting the kids some reps...which is a good thing.  The bad side of that is the back door cover! 

The second game in LR is the one to bet!  This game is all business and the Hogs take care of it.  They have won SU and covered the last 4 vs. LSU or MSU (depending on year).

Does Petrino run up the score???  Petrino is all business...and I mean all business.  He does not care enough about the other coach to even think about it.  If it happens it happens, if it doesn't it doesn't.  If he did run it up, it would be for some sort of strategic reason with his players or something...it would not be to just run it up on another coach.  Petrino is like a chess player...every move he makes is calculated....down to the fine details.