Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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Selected comments from the message boards at WholeHogSports.com.
On T.J. Hammonds’ performance against LSU …
Hogmodo: He’s running timid.
Dudley Dawson: He’s playing against a very good defense. This isn’t Coastal Carolina or the defense he goes against in practice. He’s got a chance to be a very good player, but it puts his performance last week in context.
Army Hog: Performance against a quality opponent will bring reality into view. Hammonds needs to touch the ball in space.
Superhawgfan: Hammonds is not an every-down back. Why can’t people see that? Being able to run well in open space doesn’t make someone a top running back. You have to be able to hit it up inside and break tackles.
WizardofhOgZ: But, but he needs to be getting all the carries! LOL. I tried to defuse this knee-jerk reaction last week, reminding people that — by his own admission — T.J. was still learning the playbook as a running back, picking up pass protections, etc. Most fans have no concept of what it takes to be an every-down back. They just see him running the sideline for a 92-yard run and instantly assume he’s completely ready to be a star. fatback: May be that’s why the staff saw him as a better fit at receiver.
On the number of injuries suffered by Arkansas players …
bush hog: I’m not sure I can ever remember a season of injuries like this season. Beginning with Rawleigh Williams and Jared Cornelius to both offensive captains (Austin Allen and Frank Ragnow). Neastarkie: They are making a bad season worse. I don’t think they made much difference up until now, but they’ve got to be having an effect. If all these injuries had been earlier, I’d say they meant a lot, but not this late.
Hogmastro: I have never, ever understood how injuries are viewed as excuses. Our society has become so unbelievably results-oriented no one is interested in context. When my wife and I had three deaths in our family within two years and a cancer diagnosis (both mothers, a brother and my wife’s cancer, which is now gone) our job performances predictably suffered. Some people were sympathetic. Others, not so much. I vowed then to always
take context into consideration with other people, especially students and people who work for me. GeauxHogs: The issue with this narrative is that the team was performing badly before all the injuries happened. With the exception of Williams, we were healthy in the beginning. No game result would have been different.
Fans react the departure of Athletic Director Jeff Long …
LRCHog: I hate politics and this reeks of back-room politics.
Blu: I feel like ultimately this ends in disaster for Arkansas. Long is a well-respected AD, this is definitely not a good look for Arkansas.
Hawgjawbend: It’s already been a disaster for Arkansas despite the admiration of Long some of you have. It’s time to start winning again and the people in charge recognize that and have acted on it.
keemao: I wonder who is waiting in the wings. Surely we wouldn’t make this decision without having someone ready to step in … brorodger: This is Arkansas. They don’t plan that far ahead. Oilhogfan: I am afraid you may be right. Score predictions for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State…
Kwatt54: MSU 46, Hogs 14. docestes: Essentially down to third quarterback. MSU 38, Hogs 6.
GentryRzrbk: Hogs 42, Dogs
31.
Paul33: State 52, Hogs 10. JacksonReid: MSU got pounded by Auburn, 49-10, and Georgia, 31-3. They are certainly not world beaters. They are 3-3 in the SEC. We will give them a game, but they get us, I think. Arkansas 24, MSU Maroons 38.
eaglehog5: Lil Doggies 49, Hogs 10. donwells: Hogs 56, Bulldogs 14. I have been wrong most of the season but will try one more time. At some point, it will kick in for me.
Georgia Hog: Hogs need this to keep bowl hopes alive and play as hard as they have in the past two years. Mississippi State will have an Alabama hangover for two or three quarters before waking up. Hogs 30, Mississippi State 27. Limpert does it again for the second time this year with last-minute field goal to seal the win. T.J. Hammonds goes over 130 yards as the running backs coach and Coach B figure out he can really run if he gets 15 or more touches and actually gets into the flow of the game.
Buckhog: The Bulldogs come in beat up by ’Bama. Austin Allen has his best game since 2016. Hogs 43, Bulldogs 17.
JJhog18: Hogs 28, Mississippi State 17. The ’Bama game was just too much for State.
rayzabackerII: The most simplistic and most likely to be correct predictor is based on only two elements. Defensive line equals huge advantage MSU, with no suggestion about our offensive line acquiring ability to counter (we still struggle for effort and scheme). Quarterback equals even more huge advantage for MSU. Intangibles, home field, et. al., still comes down to a big Bulldog victory. MSU 31, Arkansas 9.
LDHog: Hogs 24, Dogs 21. We are due a big upset.
white25: Hogs 36, Dogs 32.
bikehog23: These have been shootouts the last few years. I’m going with the Hogs. Hogs 45, Dogs 41. Hawginator: The good news? We’re at home. The bad news? The stadium may be half full. The good news? Mississippi State played an emotional game against ’Bama last week. The bad news? They get to play a very poor Arkansas team this week. The good news? Coach B says “we’re close.” The bad news? Uh, we’re not close. The good news? Just two games left to play this season. The bad news? No. 16 Mississippi State is one of them. Mississippi State 45, Arkansas 20.