this future award-winning report 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.
The diehards may also be followed on their Facebook page. Or follow the crew on Twitter — @TuskToTail
The post-Toledo debacle predictions are in and this group of Hog fans remain optimistic, with one predicting the Razorbacks will beat Texas Tech by a score of 48-13. One might think they would wait for the tailgating to begin before getting mind-numbingly drunk.
THE QUESTION
What happened to the Razorbacks last week, and how do you fix it?
Sean Casey
Arkansas lost largely because Toledo dominated Arkansas at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. We can make any number of excuses, but the Hogs had 103 yards on 31 carries, and had a whopping 53 pass attempts. This is not Arkansas football, and Bielema has to get the offensive line to aggressively block, open holes, and establish the running game. If that doesn't happen, this will be a long, disappointing season.
Greg Houser
One of Saturday's problems was there were way too many run plays with guards and tackles pulling. It pains me to say it, but we would have done better to pull a Houston Nutt! Run right, run left, and run right again. Toledo's defensive line was not that big. Besides the fact we had more than 500 yards offense, BA was as good as I thought he'd be.Toledo's game, I hope, was an anomaly.
Mark Wagner
What happened is the Razorbacks lost at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. We have to do better running and getting 3-and-out by the D. The game this week will tell us if this past Saturday was a fluke, or if we are in for a long season.
Todd Rudisill
They weren’t prepared, pure and simple as that. They were soft. Texas soft. We have to get back to what they do best, and that is run the ball and be the physical team. The offensive line has not shown up yet, and they are supposed to be one of the best in America? We should never throw the ball 53 times in a game. Ever.
Carl Lee Fiorhino
Bielema stated he wanted no two-a-day practices because, "we've put ourselves in a position to where we are physically ready." Clearly, the lack of an effective running game makes that statement seem questionable. He must quickly figure out a way through games or practice to change the culture (or DNA, as he puts it) and get back to physical, kick-some-butt football.
THE GAMES
Texas Tech @ Arkansas
Craig May
Just when you think the Hogs are getting ready to turn the corner, boom, a swift kick in the gut from Toledo. The Hogs can still make something of this season but they need to bounce back in a hurry against a Texas Tech team that’s looked impressive in their first two games.
Arkansas needs to get back to being a power running team. The Hogs ran over Texas Tech for 438 yards and 7 touchdowns in last season’s win over the Red Raiders, they’ve only rushed for 285 and three scores so far this season. The run defense for Texas Tech allowed almost 6 yards a carry against Sam Houston State. Look for Alex Collins to get the ball a lot this Saturday. The Tech passing game will be effective, but Arkansas will hold the ball and control the game. I expect a far better team this week and a different result. Arkansas 38, Texas Tech 24.
Jack Clark
I predict Arkansas beats Texas Tech, 25-24. Back in Lubbock hours after the Hog win, I predict a guy named Biscuit will finally come to his senses and realize that no matter how many different maids he hires, no one can clean a bathroom like Sean Casey.
Dale Cullins
Despite last week’s debacle, I feel the Hogs have more talent on the roster than Tech, and Coach B will find a way to motivate these young men. I'm a bit worried that the lack of a Hogs running game will give Tech too many possessions and they will score on a fair amount of those with the type of offense they run. The Hogs’ D did tackle better, but still needs some time to gel in pass defense. I'm going to pick the Hogs in a game that will be closer than it should be, Hogs 31, Tech 28
David Rice
My friend John specifically mentioned the score 48-13 twice this week. John is sweating this game, but he has an uncanny knack for numerology. Home Team wins, 48-13.
Carl Lee Fiorhino
Arkansas battles back from last week’s debacle to win a rough game at Coach B's only "home" stadium.
#19 BYU @ #10 UCLA
Greg Houser
BYU's luck runs out. UCLA by 10.
Carl Lee Fiorhino
Fun game if you believe there is football outside the SEC. (Is there? Of course, the Ohio teams believe there is.) BYU has two close wins. UCLA has avoided a close win. I like UCLA at home.
#14 Georgia Tech @ #8 Notre Dame
Sean Casey
Despite losing their QB, I like Notre Dame for several reasons. Notre Dame has already beat better quality opponents, is playing at home, and had the better defense. Notre Dame handles the Georgia Tech option and wins 42-17.
Todd Rudisill
The Irish got lucky and won on a last second TD pass over Virginia. I think the Yellow Jackets come out of South Bend with the victory. No Irish luck this week. Tech wins 34-27.
#18 Auburn @ #13 LSU
Mark Wagner
I’ll pick the Tigers to win this one. Wait…what? Actually, neither team has impressed this year. I give the nod to LSU playing at home, 27-24
Todd Rudisill
Auburn should have lost to Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks actually looked like they had the better players, which is crazy. Karma is a b ... We were all rooting for Auburn to lose at the tailgate and then we turned around and lost to Toledo. They pulled it out and we didn’t. LSU runs over Auburn 31-17.
South Carolina @ #7 Georgia
Dale Cullins
South Carolina has not looked good in their two outings so far this year. It is a very anemic offense for a Spurrier-coached team, in my opinion. Their D looks to be okay but not good enough to stop a run-oriented team like Georgia. Even without a settled QB, Georgia should win this going away, 35-20.
Carl Lee Fiorhino
Normally, I would think of this as a typical Georgia "crash and burn" upset game. After watching South Carolina this year, I just don't see that happening. I’ll take Georgia at home.
#15 Mississippi @ #2 Alabama
Jack Clark
I predict Mississippi beats Alabama, 27-21
Carl Lee Fiorhino
Roll Tide. Heaven forbid we have to listen to Phyllis from Mulga after another loss to Mississippi.