story information compiled by David Rice
Editor’s note: Welcome to the fourth season of Tusk to Tail – the sport of tailgating 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 typically ignored, if not mocked.
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Will the Hogs go 8-5, 9-4 or, and this is crazy, 14-2 this season? This week members and associate members of Tusk to Tail offer their opinions on the success of Razorback football this season, and make predictions on scores around college football for the first week.
The Question
Predict the Razorbacks season record, including post-season.
Sean Casey
It seems a lot of fans expect to establish his program at Arkansas in the 2015 season. I personally believe Bielema and his team face a lot of obstacles this season, and I can't wait to see how they face them. I expect the Hogs to go 8-4 for the regular season. The Hogs go bowling, where they get a win ending the season at 9-4.
Jack Clark
This will be the toughest season in recent memory in which to predict our record. Like most, I think there are questions: Will our defense develop like they did last season? Can Kody Walker step up to help us? Will Bielema continue to call reverses and half back passes with 1st and 10 at the opponent's 5 yard line?
I'll say 9-4, with a big win against Auburn during the season and a Chick-Fil-A bowl win against some team that promised to sell their allotment of tickets.
Dale Cullins
It appears that no amount of poor mouthing can dampen the expectations of the Razorback Nation this season. I listen to the radio and I get pumped up about going 10-2, but then I remember we only won two conference games last season, and we have a difficult road schedule this season. That being said, I think the Hogs will showcase a 'No Name D' and improve the offense enough to pull out a regular season 9-3 record and win a bowl game to finish 10-3.
Greg Houser
Coach Bret Bielema will have our Hogs at 9-3. My only caveat is if Alex Collins stays pretty healthy. I think we are deep enough everywhere else that we know how to win as opposed to first half of last year.
Craig May
Season record 10-2 with loses to LSU and Ole Miss.
David Rice
The key to our season is how we fare over the course of two separate three-game stretches. You’ve got the brutal consecutive road trips against Texas A&M, Tennessee, and Alabama, then hosting Auburn before going to LSU and Ole Miss. I think we will have an even split in these series, making our record 9-3 as long as we don’t lose to someone we should beat. That should be good enough for a Florida bowl game.
Mark Wagner
Arkansas season record will be 13-2. I hope it's more like 14-2.
Meginnn T. Kellie
Before J. Williams was injured, I would not have been surprised with 9 wins or even more. Now, 8 wins and maybe a bowl win depending on who we play. Even though I expect this team to be better, it still is the SEC West.
Todd Rudisill
It’s going to a fun year. I think the Hogs have to win 2 of 3 in the wild stretch of A&M, Tennessee, and Alabama for it to be the season we all want. I think they do. 10-2 regular season with losses at Bama and LSU. Hogs will win their THIRD bowl game in a row which has never been done in the history of Razorback football. I predict it will be in one of the Sunshine state bowl games. It will be a season to remember.
THE GAMES THIS WEEK
• UTEP @ #18 Arkansas
Sean Casey
The Arkansas Razorbacks host the UTEP Miners this Saturday in Reynolds Razorback Stadium to kickoff the 2015 season. This is a rent-a-win for the Hogs and they use this glorified scrimmage improving the second strings of both the offense and defense. Hogs win big 48-10.
Jack Clark
The Hogs will win easily, 48-13, and the starters will be pulled after the 3rd quarter.
Dale Cullins
Lots of hype from the national and local media one week, and then the next week you watch a show on ESPN and the love is going to A&M or LSU. I feel like the Hogs will be improved, building where they left off last year. UTEP does not have the horses to stay with the Pigs for four quarters. Hogs 47, UTEP 10.
Greg Houser
I'll take our beloved piggies 42-14. Even UTEP's coach said he's hoping his boys play competitively. The whole nation is ready to strap on pads and the Hogs will not disappoint!
Craig May
Arkansas ended on a high note in 2014 and now has an opportunity Saturday to carry that momentum into the 2015 season. This UTEP team is similar to Arkansas in that they’re an improving team whose coach Sean Kugler likes to play physical on both sides of the ball. That being said, they lack the size and strength to keep up with the Hogs. Arkansas 52, UTEP 17.
David Rice
We should score 150 points in our first three nonconference games. I’ll say we win this one 52-17.
Mark Wagner
Arkansas wins inn a bit of a boring game, as both teams have similar styles of run first and then defend the run. The good news is that we dominate play well enough that in the second half, several second teamers get some much needed experience. Arkansas 24, UTEP 10.
Meginnn T. Kellie
Hogs by at least 21. If it is closer, it will be a bad omen for the season.
Todd Rudisill
Time to test out our new toys. The new toy I want to see the most is this Dan Enos offense. Hogs roll 48-6.
• #15 Arizona State @ Texas A&M
Sean Casey
The Aggies open up against a ranked Sun Devil squad in Houston's NRG Stadium. Both teams enter the season expecting to score points and lots of them. For me the "X" factor in this matchup is John Chavis, A&M’s new defensive coordinator. Chavis had all summer to prepare for Todd Graham's offense. Between the Aggie defense and Aggie dude cheerleaders (which weird out the best of teams) I expect the Aggies to win and win big. Aggies win 42-17. Anything less is a complete failure by Texas A&M.
Meginnn T. Kellie
Most compelling game of the picks. Pac 12 still trying to prove they are one of the better conferences. Although not at home, this is far from a neutral site game. I will go with the Aggies in a close one.
Todd Rudisill
A&M has to wait a week to play in their renovated digs which is now the biggest stadium in the SEC. 102,512 seats, which is about 50 more than Neyland Stadium. I go back and forth on this one. It’s being play at NRG Stadium in Houston which will not be a neutral site, as its 30 minutes from College Station. Aggies find a way and upset the #15 Sun Devils 30-27.
• Texas @ #11 Notre Dame
Jack Clark
It's hard for me to think of Texas football anymore without the words "borderline erotic" appearing in my head. It's even harder to think about that while picturing them playing with Touchdown Jesus looming over the field. Just doesn't seem right to have that image in my head. Texas will be embarrassed nationally in this one, 35-7. Now THAT is a pleasant thought.
Meginnn T. Kellie
The least appealing game of the group. Who could like either of these teams? Oh right, Jack.
Todd Rudisill
Will Texas find an offense coming off their -2 yards rushing against the Hogs last season? Horns down. Irish 27-17.
• Louisville @ #6 Auburn
Craig May
Lot of things to see in the Louisville-Auburn game on Saturday night. You have Bobby Petrino returning to Atlanta, Auburn with new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and new quarterback Jeremy Johnson. Auburn begins the season with aspirations of making the college football playoff. Saturday night will be a statement game for the Tigers. Louisville comes into the game breaking in a new quarterback and four new offensive linemen. Defense should keep Louisville in the game, but the offense won’t keep pace. Auburn 35, Louisville 17.
Meginnn T. Kellie
Auburn. Battle of the offensive minds, but new Auburn defense makes the difference.
Todd Rudisill
This one is the original “Petrino-Gate” game. Remember when Petrino secretly met with Auburn officials back in 2003 when Tuberville was still Auburn’s coach? I never root for Auburn but don’t mind watching the Gus Bus run over the coach that put our program in the gutter for 3 years. We will never forget Bobby. Tigers 34-7.
#20 Wisconsin @ # 3 Alabama
Mark Wagner
New head Coach for Wisconsin, Alabama can't decide on a quarterback, and playing at a stadium nowhere close to either campus. This is going to be a very close game. Wisconsin returns a lot from an 11-3 team and Alabama is still trying to figure out who they are offensively. I'll be an SEC homer and pick Bama to win. Alabama 17, Wisconsin 14.
Meginnn T. Kellie
Tide players heard lack of focus comments made at the end of last season. Tide win by at least 14.
Todd Rudisill
Bama might play three quarterbacks in this game. Wisconsin is not the Wisconsin of last year with the loss of Melvin Gordon. But this will be a close game for 3 quarters and then Alabama’s depth takes over in the 4th. Bama 24-10.
• #1 Ohio State @ Virginia Tech
Greg Houser
I'll take the Buckeyes by 17. While I find it almost impossible that a national championship team will repeat, their loss won't come from the opener. Coach Meyer is too good a coach to repeat last year.
Meginnn T. Kellie
Although last year this game was a stunner, I would not expect it this year. Ohio State will pick up where it left off and win by a comfortable margin.