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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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Hogs Needed Reality Check By Ron Jumper After Lousiana-Monroe scored to take an early 7-0 lead, many expected the Razorbacks offense to come out and take back control of the game. However, true freshman quarterback Mitch Mustain promptly came onto the field and threw a lame duck that was intercepted by the Warhawks, who were forced to change their mascot from the Indians because of the NCAA's fondness of creating problems when there simply isn't one. After a pass-interference penalty, the Warhawks had a first-and-10 at the Razorback 27. It seemed likely that ULM would cash in on at least a field goal, to take a shocking 10-0 lead, but the Razorback defense rose to the occasion to knock the Warhawk offense al the way back to the 45-yard line. Then Louisiana-Monroe showed why they were a 1-6 team coming into the game, as they snapped the ball over the punter's head. That got the crowd back in the game and the rest was history as the Hogs rolled onto a 44-10 victory.  I think that poor first-quarter performance was exactly what the Hogs needed, a reality check. They needed to know that they couldn't just simply walk on the field and expect their opponent, no matter how inferior, to lay down without a fight. As Arkansas fans know so well, when their beloved Hogs are climbing the polls and competing for an SEC title the hype and predictions can get a little bit crazy. Many die-hard Hog fans have their crazy theory how they can climb the polls to the national championship or at least the Sugar Bowl when, in reality, the Cotton Bowl is the most likely destination. I really can't criticize any of the Razorback players or coaches though, if that is all you hear about 24/7 it just becomes so easy to get caught up in the hype. Mitch Mustain's learning curve seems to have flat-lined the last few weeks. In the first half against ULM, Mustain had only twice as many completions (4) as interceptions (2). At this point in the season, you would be out of your mind to change quarterbacks. However, I still stand firm that Casey Dick should have got the nod back in week 2 against Utah State. Dick won the starting job towards the end of his freshman year and lost it due to injury. My philosophy is that you shouldn't lose your job due to injury, but that is neither here nor there anymore. If I was coaching the Arkansas Razorbacks, I would stress the importance of the upcoming game at South Carolina. If the Hogs win against the Gamecocks, they are almost assured to make the Cotton Bowl. Technically, the Cotton Bowl takes the third team in the SEC but, if the Hogs are anywhere from 2nd to 5th, they would love the Razorbacks to make the trip to Dallas because of the amazing fan support. As we all know, the Razorbacks love to recruit Texas and the trip to the Lonestar State would be right up Houston Nutt's ally. The 2007 recruiting class is solid so far with an assortment of 3-star recruits, but it has yet to land that difference maker that makes a recruiting class special. With the Razorbacks and Aubrun Tigers battling for the services of both Kodi Burns and Lee Ziemba, the finish to this season could sway those players one way or the other. If the Razorbacks lose out on both, it would mean that the consensus top 4 players in Arkansas would all be leaving the state. Pulaski Academy RB Broderick Green (USC) and Springdale tight end Zack Pianalto (Texas) are the other two top players in the state of Arkansas, according to Scout.com. Another fact that, according to Scout.com, could significantly change the outcome of the Hogs signing class is that there are over 25 players that Arkansas is competing with Auburn, LSU, or Tennessee for their signatures. If the Hogs win out, you would have to think that would help them land some of those prized recruits.  October 29, 2006 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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