Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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Selected comments from the message boards at www.wholehogsports.com.
On the quality of Arkansas’ opponents this year …
Hog-N-Das: Please bear in mind the teams we have lost to: Alabama and TCU are undefeated and fighting to get in the playoff. Texas A&M is one game of poor clock management from being 6-1 with the one being ’Bama. South Carolina is 5-2. Auburn is a very good team as well — 5-2 and destroyed MSU and Ole Miss. I still think we can be bowl-eligible …
Phil33: One of the many problems is we should be TCU or A&M this year. Not the opposite, as we are now. We would be with the right coach. We need to quit making excuses for being pitiful.
Piggybacker: We are not competing in the second half and getting the crap beat out of us. Injuries aren’t helping. There is no way to sugarcoat it. On Ole Miss losing its starting quarterback for the rest of the year …
nlr buzzard: The backup is a real threat running the ball, but looked pretty raw against LSU. His decision-making in the passing game is probably where you exploit him, but he is going to be a real headache on the run-pass option stuff… Ole Miss’ run defense is awful, so assuming the Hogs actually show up … this may be a winnable game.
eaglehog5: Whoever the Ole Miss backup is doesn’t really matter. He’ll be the latest incarnation of John Elway when he plays against our defense.
On getting Arkansas’ wide receivers more involved in the offense …
Army Hog: It’s difficult to look for open receivers when you as the quarterback are running for your life. There’s no such thing as a pocket to pass out of.
piggybacker: Where is the weekly “T.J. Hammonds will get more touches this week”?
Swine Fusion: Last time we had this type of offensive line was ’97 (yes, the team that got Danny Ford fired). Could not run the ball at all, Clint Stoerner spent the year running for his life. If he got time to throw, he had good receivers, but hard to complete a pass on your back. On Arkansas’ offensive philosophy ….
TVGHog: I keep reading posts and hearing callers on the radio stating that Bret Bielema’s offensive philosophy doesn’t work in the SEC. A quick reminder: 2015, four of the five offensive linemen were Bielema recruits. We had experience at receiver, tight end and good QB play. 2015’s offense averaged more yards per game than all of Petrino’s teams, except the Mallett (junior) year. When Bielema had the OL, his offense was a thing of beauty. Our offense could not be stopped. His biggest failure has been developing the OL depth that’s essential for his philosophy to work.
Hogmaestro: It was the same during several of Houston Nutt’s years. And even Ken Hatfield’s. Those offenses were effective, but not sexy. Many fans don’t look at the numbers. They just like seeing an offense they perceive as “wide open.” Never mind the fact that Dan Enos’ actual schemes are similar to Bobby Petrino’s. On the importance of the rivalry with Ole Miss …
eaglehog5: The time has come to win what is always the most important game of the season for some of us. One thing Bret Bielema has been able to do is beat the cheaters from Oxford. I know they’ve still got some ill-gotten speed at the skill positions, but it looks like they are experiencing some slippage in the trenches. Take away their talented QB and this looks like an offense we can contain.
Jhawg: Battle for the cellar! That is the catchphrase for this mega-tilt. The team I hate most is the Mississippi Rebels, the Mississippi Black Bears, the Land Sharks (possibly the stupidest nickname ever). This game is kind of like marrying Elizabeth Taylor — after she has been married seven other times. It’s still OK, but not what you had hoped for.
Smithjb1: This gave me a much-needed laugh. Hilarious! Unfortunately, so true. Score predictions for Saturday’s game at Ole Miss:
JacksonReid: Ole Miss 27, Arkansas 20. Smithjb1: Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 20.
LDHog: Hogs 35, Rebs-Black Bears-Landsharks 14.
eaglehog5: Rebellious Ones 28, Anthracite Cowboys 17.
Razorwill: Shouldn’t do this, but if I pick Ole Miss I, might get physically ill. If our coaches want any chance of being retained, this is a must-win. That being said, Arkansas 31, Rebels 30. Go Hawgs. Hotty Toddy can they beat anybody? Hope it’s not us.
Georgia Hawg: Arkansas 31, Mississippi 30. A 49-yard field goal with 5 seconds on the clock is the game-winner.
JJhog18: 35-17, Ole Miss. white25: Sharks 37, Porkers 36. Hard fought until fourth quarter.
donwells: It’s funny to see. All the negative people who want Bielema gone predict Ole Miss winning. I know you hope we lose, which makes you sad, sad fans. Arkansas 31, Ole Miss 21. I can’t wait to read the board after we win and they all crawl back in their holes for a week praying for more bad news.
JacksonReid: Well could it just be we think a team that hasn’t beaten a Power 5 team in almost a year just isn’t very good and winning on the road in implausible?
Army Hog: I’m a hog fan. Just too old and wore out to change and I don’t care who my Hogs play, I’m rooting for my Hogs. They have made it a disappointment lately in many ways but I’m a Hog fan!
Richard Davenport: Going with Arkansas 32 and Ole Miss 27 because that’s what I dreamt the other night. Army Hog: I hope you’re right. I think our defense will win this game. They have to score. Hogs 21, Land Sharks 3. It’s time for a good game for our Hogs. The Coastal Carolina game can’t get here fast enough.
drhog: Hogs 24, Ole Miss 21. Whole Hog, half ham, Arkansas by d—-!
bikehog23: Hogs win, 27-20. We win the turnover battle.
Gmoney: Ole Miss 38, Hogs 17. We can’t score enough points and can’t stop anyone.
bakedhog19741: Ole Miss appears to have the same issues we’ve had. Who has the better backups, and which one’s have experience? Have to give the edge to the Hogs, 27-21.
Hogbacker: We are that team that is often referred to as the team with nothing left to lose and so is Ole Miss. This may be the most important game left this season for our Hogs. A turnaround at this point could start a change that would have ramifications for years, as will a loss. No more playing hesitant or second-guessing. It’s time to leave it all on the field. No more playing soft D. Play to win every minute and if we get a lead put your foot on the pedal and forget about watching the clock. We have watched it too many times and failed. Hogs 24, Rebels 10! WPS!