Great first week...

[Dossenator]

Well, I spent all day in Fayetteville, Arkansas tailgating and then attended the Arkansas vs Missouri State game. Of course Arkansas won 51-7. They could have named the score (literally...but Petrino played everyone, 2nd stringers started the 2nd quarter, emptied bench before it was over, and he only ran the base offense).

What I learned from watching Arkansas play an FCS team today:
1. Joe Adams is one of the best all-around athletes in college football (as a WR and return guy...he returned 2 punts for TD's and had right at 180 return yards in the game....both are Ark records and the 2 punt returns in a game ties an SEC record).
2. Tyler Wilson is the real deal at QB. He only played 4 series but the Hogs were efficient and scored 24 points on his 4 drives.
3. Arkansas has the deepest and most talented receiving corps in America. Everyone knows the big 4: Childs, Adams, Wright, and Hamilton. But the Hogs have some dynamic WR's that will contribute big time this year and will be the stars of this and next season: Marquel Wade, Horton, Gragg, and others. These so called 2nd stringers would be starters on almost any other team in college football.
4. The running back corps will be very good...not great without Knile Davis...but very good. Wingo started and played well. D'Anthony Curtis looked very good. But the big surprise was the play of freshman RB Kodi Walker (he had several carries, 2 TD's, Ran through people, and looked to have a quick burst after getting the ball...he is a big boy too...240 pound back...look to see more of this young back this year).
5. The defense is legit. The d-line goes two deep and they can all play. Tons of future NFL players on that defensive front. They will not be easy to run on...that is why I believe Ark has a shot at beating Bama and LSU away from home (both teams have QB issues and rely heavy on the run).
6. The special teams are special...and the kicking game is in good hands.
7. The only weak spot...OL. They played well for the most part but had a few assignment errors that led to a couple of QB sacks or loss of yards on run plays. They will hopefully gel as a unit in the coming weeks (hopefully before the trip to Bama in week 4). If the Hogs lose some games this year it will more than likely due to poor OL play. If they get the OL clicking as a unit then Ark is a legit top 5 team.
8. They have to clean up the penalties as well.

Man the Hogs have come light years in the 4 years Petrino has been on campus. 4 years ago Ark needed a last second TD pass to beat a FCS team. Now they look like a real team with depth all over the field, the size and speed of the big boy programs, play all three phases of the game well, and I can't wait for week 2.

Go Hogs!

I also liked that Notre Dame lost, and Ole Miss lost. It would have been even sweeter if Utah State could have held on to their lead over Auburn (that would have made for a perfect weekend). How could Utah State squander a 10 point lead with about 2:30 left in the game. Arghhh!!!

[WoVeU]

Get used to having really good players. Petrino has a Bloodhound's nose for talent and has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to woo them into his stables!

[Dossenator]

Get used to having really good players. Petrino has a Bloodhound's nose for talent and has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to woo them into his stables!

You got that right. I look at the roster and on paper Arkansas will be even better next season. Just crazy. He know how to build a program. I don't think Ark will have rebuilding years under Petrino. Great to be a Hog fan.

[WoVeU]

The only concern will be ticking off the establishment. I am thinking schools like Bama, Florida, LSU, Auburn, and Georgia might grow tired of seeing the growth and program development at Arkansas. No problem in and to itself. But if I had to guess, many of those Old Money Southern Boosters might use their money and influence (could even be collectively) to dig up dirt, enhance, or perhaps even create some dirt on or for Bobby and Arkansas. And the best dirt is in Recruiting Violations and Player Benefits. And Ark bringing in a bunch of 5 star guys may add extra emphasis to them looking that way.

I hate to sound like some conspiracy theorist, but I just think Arkansas is kicking an awful lot of butt rather quickly and making a whole lot of noise. And it also looks like the only plan is to make more! And Old Regimes don't often take too kind to new ones!

[Dossenator]

The only concern will be ticking off the establishment. I am thinking schools like Bama, Florida, LSU, Auburn, and Georgia might grow tired of seeing the growth and program development at Arkansas. No problem in and to itself. But if I had to guess, many of those Old Money Southern Boosters might use their money and influence (could even be collectively) to dig up dirt, enhance, or perhaps even create some dirt on or for Bobby and Arkansas. And the best dirt is in Recruiting Violations and Player Benefits. And Ark bringing in a bunch of 5 star guys may add extra emphasis to them looking that way.

I hate to sound like some conspiracy theorist, but I just think Arkansas is kicking an awful lot of butt rather quickly and making a whole lot of noise. And it also looks like the only plan is to make more! And Old Regimes don't often take too kind to new ones!

You may be right. I don't know. But it is not like Arkansas is new to the college football dance. They were relevant all through the 60's (a top three program during the 60's) and remained relevant on the national scene up to about 1990 (all during the Frank Broyles, Lou Holtz, and Ken Hatfield coaching days). After joining the SEC they definitely faltered and have only had flashes of success (one good year under Danny Ford and a couple of solid years under Houston Nutt).

You are right in that they have not been in this situation since joining the SEC, and since ESPN has become the world wide leader in sports. Petrino is not getting a lot of 5 star guys. He is turning a ton of 3 star guys into NFL players. This may change though. Many of the top 20-25 rated recruits in America are making official visits to Arkansas and many have Arkansas on their short lists. Arkansas breaks ground on new football facilities in the coming months. Millions were raised to improve football facilities because Petrino said that was needed to compete in recruiting with Bama, LSU, Florida, etc. You know I read something just a few days ago that listed the number of players Petrino put in the NFL during his 4 years at Louisville. Then the article listed all the schools that put fewer kids in the NFL during that 4 year span. You would be shocked at the list of schools who put in fewer: Florida, Bama, etc (all the schools known for producing NFL talent). Petrino knows how to evaluate and develop players. I hope nothing shady is going on in Fayetteville to get recruits to come to town. If it is then they need to be caught and punished.

[Brian Roastbeef]

I also liked that Notre Dame lost

Quoting this because it is just so wonderful that everybody needs to reread this and let it sink in.

Of course, we at this forum should know enough to find it less than shocking that Notre Dame was once again overrated by the media. Yet, I even put them quite a ways up there in my poll as well (I'll take some semblance of vindication in that I also had South Florida ranked.)


Also liked the comeback from Syracuse, also the undefeated weekend for the Big East. Not against the hugest competition, but could easily have been 6-2...

I wish TCU had come out on top, and that Utah St. didn't inexplicably crap their pants within inches of victory. Almost as if somebody gave them a call from Vegas, after finding that one of their bettors had pounded the 11/1 (in some places opened as high as 27/1) money line. Can't win them all, I suppose... and Auburn has been exposed. I see 5-7 in their future. Overall, a pretty good week. Of course, it was bound to be a good week, just because football is back.

[WoVeU]

Lovin' the ND loss! Lovin' it!

Big East did well...it could have been 5-3 in my book. Marshall is no gimme for WVU. Which ticks me off...if those kids would get up for the C-USA games like they do WVU they'd win the thing or at least play for it. (I know Doc has insight that other teams don't, which helps as well.)

And I in no way like WVU getting 3/4ths of a game out of week 1. Especially with the new system...I don't look forward to the LSU game...they needed every snap they could get!

[Eric]

I think Notre Dame is fine, really. That's a game that they lost due to turnovers and I don't know how often they're going to turn it over twice in the redzone, five times overall, and have one of those red zone turnovers end up in a score going the other way. If Kelly starts Rees against Michigan, I don't like our chances.

[Spence]

I think Notre Dame is fine, really. That's a game that they lost due to turnovers and I don't know how often they're going to turn it over twice in the redzone, five times overall, and have one of those red zone turnovers end up in a score going the other way. If Kelly starts Rees against Michigan, I don't like our chances.

I agree. I don't like Notre Dame, but take away the t/o's and they would have won the game.

[WoVeU]

I have to admit I think they will do well. And with Michigan only getting in 3/4ths of a game I think ND, sadly, will win next week.

[Spence]

I have to admit I think they will do well. And with Michigan only getting in 3/4ths of a game I think ND, sadly, will win next week.

Michigan didn't look so good in it's win as ND looked in it's loss. Still, though, to early to tell how teams will be after one game.