KJ Jefferson-Texas A&M — Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jefferson motions to the offense during the 23-21 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday night, Sept. 24, 2022, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Michael Morrison / allHOGS Images)

Fourth of July Really Kick-off for Football These Days

In Arkansas, 100-degree temperatures means things get serious for Razorbacks

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Jul 4, 2023 3:58 PM EDT
Original:
Jul 4, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Fireworks and displays herald the celebration of America's official beginning. In Arkansas and across the SEC, it also means things are getting serious with football.

All those cliches about the cool autumn air feeling like football weather, those of us that grew up here knew it means a lot of heat, sweat and gut-checks. We're not used to seeing that cool autumn breeze until the end of October and usually November. Whether it pays off in November determines who wins championships.

For the Razorbacks, they are still chasing commitments and that makes big news about now, primarily because there's not a whole lot else to be discussing. With the start of SEC Media Days just a couple of weeks away, get ready for something to talk about. Now the speculation has turned to who will Hogs coach Sam Pittman take with him to Nashville.

And preseason all-league teams. Hopefully, I knocked the last one of those out of the way on July 4. Since I am not the one putting them together, the only thing I can can guarantee you is Hogs are getting votes and my guess is quarterback KJ Jefferson is going to be in the running for more than top quarterback in the league.

We'll have the all-league team as voted on by publishers here at FanNation on Sports Illustrated before that annual horde of media people get a paid working vacation in Nashville, at least for those who go. Others can go because I'll get it off the SEC Network's wall-to-wall coverage.

Running back Raheim Sanders is also in the running for top running back in these preseason projections along with Quinson Judkins of Ole Miss. They are the best two coming back. Of course these preseason projections don't mean they will be there when things wrap up in December.

Coaches are putting together final practice plans for the first couple of weeks in August. After that, it's preparation for the opener and even the Hogs have to do a little or else whoever shows up to sweat off a few summer pounds in Little Rock will be bitter. Western Carolina should be little more than a live scrimmage in front of fans.

But at least we have football in prime focus now and we can start talking about the games. After all, without those, we really wouldn't have anything to talk about for awhile.