from the Tusk to Tail crew
Editor’s note: Welcome to the third season of Tusk to Tail, a special “web reality” presentation of the tailgating experience as organized, performed and perfected by a group of Hog fans who have been tailgating together sober and otherwise for more than a decade. Members of the Tusk to Tail Team are Sean Casey, Jack Clark, Dale Cullins, Greg Houser, Craig May, David Rice and Mark Wagner. Tusk to Tail is managed by The City Wire. Legal representation is iffy at best and professional psychological help is welcome but likely to be ignored. Link here for the introduction to the the 2014 Tusk to Tail season.
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That went by fast. Saturday is the final home game of the year for what has been a Razorback football season that may be best remembered for a year of soul-sucking losses that at least delivered a win over LSU and a celebration around The Boot. The Tusk to Tail crew has a few opinions on the senior the Hogs will miss the most.
THE QUESTION
20 seniors will play their last game in Fayetteville Saturday. Which senior will the Razorbacks miss the most when he is gone?
Sean Casey
Martrell Spaight is our guy. He’s been a huge part of our defensive success this season. I enjoy watching him play, especially when he lights someone up.
Jack Clark
It’s hard to pick just one senior. It would have been nice had we redshirted Zach Hocker at some point in his career. He'd have been a senior this year, probably All- SEC, and we'd probably be 8-2 right now and making plans for a Cotton Bowl.
Dale Cullins
I will go with Trey Flowers. He's a great player and a great person. At this point, I will miss Derby as well. I wish we had him for another year at the TE position.
Greg Houser
The obvious senior that everyone will miss is Trey Flowers. But I'd like to add Martrell Spaight. Martrell has done as good a job as any JUCO linebacker in the country could. I'm glad he came back home to finish his college career!
Craig May
The Hogs will miss Trey Flowers and Martrell Spaight next season. These two players have set the tone for the defense this season. They both have quickness, strength and a motor that makes them extremely disruptive. I wish they both had another season to play for the Hogs.
David Rice
The athleticism and leadership of Flowers and Brey Cook will be missed, but both lines look like they’re in good shape for the foreseeable future. In the game of life, of course, the biggest loss is Garrett Uekman, who would be finishing his Razorback career with this class had he not passed away unexpectedly three years ago.
Mark Wagner
Martrell Spaight. He's third in the conference in tackles, and he's the first "real" linebacker we have had in several years.
Todd Rudisill
Trey Flowers.
THE GAMES
• #8 Ole Miss @ Arkansas
Sean Casey
Will the Hogs will have a newfound confidence after the LSU game, or come out sluggish? The Hogs have struggled against spread offenses and Ole Miss is coming off a bye week, so they should be rested. We expect rain which will interfere with The Ole Miss passing attack. The Hog offensive line versus the BlackBear D-line is where this game will be decided. Hogs win in the mud, 24-17.
Jack Clark
Props to the crew in charge of game day production we had last Saturday. I know that winning helps too, but that was a great football environment! Music played throughout the game, and the crowd was engaged. Well done.
It will be hard to bring the same energy and emotion as we did against LSU. Because of lack of depth, this team needs extra energy and emotion to win SEC games. I see a very low scoring game and Ole Miss wins 13-10.
Dale Cullins
I will pick the Hogs. I like the way the D is playing, and that gives our offense a chance to win in these last two games and maybe even three. I don't think Ole Miss plays great on the road, so the Hogs will win. Call it 20 - 13 Hogs behind a strong running game, timely passes from BA, and some great play from our TE's.
Greg Houser
I'll take our Piggies in a close one with the Black Bears. I predicted we would win by at least 10 or not at all with LSU, but this time we can deal with a close game and not give it away. Kool Aid tastes great, y’all!
Craig May
Arkansas comes up with Bret Bielema’s first SEC win last week against LSU. Here are the 3 keys to victory for the Hogs this weekend: 1. Win the turnover battle. 2. Run the ball between the tackles. 3. Get pressure from the D line without blitzing. Look for the Hogs to dominate the time of possession, keeping the Ole Miss offense off the field. Arkansas 20, Ole Miss 17.
David Rice
It felt so good to get the monkey off our back last week, but I don’t expect a repeat. Despite a few key injuries, these Rebels are for real. Ole Miss wins by a touchdown or more unless the Hogs can pressure Wallace into making critical mistakes.
Mark Wagner
I think this game is going to be a difficult one for the Hogs. Ole Miss has had basically two bye weeks to get ready for us. I only hope the Rebels come out very flat, their timing is off, and they don't like the rain. I'm a homer, so I'm going to say the Hogs win this 17-14.
Keith P. Carter
The homer in me wants to pick the Hogs with this new found momentum, but Ole Miss is just better this year. Ole Miss wins.
Todd Rudisill
Man, life is better when the Hogs win. And what a win it was. I think they have the confidence they need to keep this thing going. Ole Miss has problems stopping the run. So if our run game is on we should be talking about a bowl on Saturday night. Hogs 27-23.
• #19 Missouri @ Tennessee
Craig May
I like Tennessee at home against Missouri. They don’t make mistakes, and Dobbs is becoming a super talent at quarterback. He should be able to use his mobility to make plays against the Missouri defense. Tenn 28, MO 17.
Keith P. Carter
Players being suspended can impact a team in a number of different ways. With Tennessee starting to turn the corner, this is a serious and awful distraction. Missouri surprisingly stays on top in the east.
Todd Rudisill
Vols have really been playing well as of late. Mizzou has not lost a road game in two years in the conference. That’s crazy. Vols end that streak 30-27.
• #15 Arizona @ #20 Utah
Greg Houser
I'll take the Utes over the Wild Kitties this weekend. Utah should do well at home. Arizona is improved, but not enough for a road victory. Utah by 6.
Keith P. Carter
I expect the final score to be close. Utah in a pick 'em type of game from this guy's perspective.
Todd Rudisill
Utah, 34-30.
• #24 USC @ #11 UCLA
Sean Casey
The most interesting thing about USC at UCLA is that both teams will wear their home jerseys. This game has a possible impact on the Pac-10 championship, and if the Bruins win their remaining games, there is an outside chance UCLA could end up in the final field of four. UCLA is the higher ranked team and should have more depth. UCLA wins 42-35.
Keith P. Carter
UCLA is a little stronger this year. I’ll take UCLA.
Todd Rudisill
UCLA, 31-28.
• Oklahoma State @ #6 Baylor
Mark Wagner
The Okies don't have a chance in this. They are 5-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12. They have lost four straight and you don't fix that by playing Baylor. Baylor will be trying to blow all of their remaining opponents away so that they can convince Mr. Long and friends that they belong in the College Football Playoff. Baylor 45, OK State 13.
Keith P. Carter
Jimmy Sexton and Mike Gundy will be thinking Florida Job and/or raise this week. What's new for that duo? Baylor's coach will take advantage of the distracted Gundy and have his team ready. Plus, Baylor is playing at home against a team in a slump. Baylor wins.
Todd Rudisill
Gundy is on his way out. Bears roll 44-20.
• Boston College @ #1 Florida State
Jack Clark
Florida State wins this one.
Keith P. Carter
People knock Florida State, but they continue to win. No change Saturday. Seminoles.
Todd Rudisill
Florida State has dropped to #3 in playoff rankings. They are so overrated. I’m hoping the Gators can knock them off next week. Noles, 38-17.