Let's Not Start Assuming Anything by Beating Struggling Florida
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — There is this historical problem with the Hog Idiots, a select section of the Arkansas Lunatic Fringe that bases the entire fate of the football program on every single game. Sometimes it falls into a tinier view that every play in a game affects it. They are a small, but loud bunch.
After a surprising 39-36 win over Florida, a lot of people are now completely confident they'll run the table the rest of the way, get to a bowl game and all will be right with the world now that Kenny Guiton has taken over the offense. One of the Idiots told me Saturday night they are now headed in the right direction and will dominate the football world for the next decade. I hung up on him.
Now Auburn is coming to town. Hugh Freeze took over the Tigers after they decided they didn't want to put up with Brian Harsin, which nothing surprises me on The Plains. But this year, maybe more than any other team in the SEC, Auburn proves what Lou Holtz told us here 45 years ago.
"Last year has nothing to do with now," he said one day after a practice. "Last week has nothing to do with this week. Different week, different team." That has pretty much held up over the years. It's especially true with the Tigers this year.
They are 5-4, which is no big deal. Don't start comparing scores because that's dangerous. Auburn lost to LSU, 48-18, and Texas A&M, 27-10. Just because the Razorbacks played them closer means absolutely nothing. The Tigers took Georgia into the fourth quarter with a lead and couldn't hold it, losing a 27-20 game. Then, they thumped Mississippi State, 27-13. Still want to compare scores?
The sports books haven't released the betting line yet. Those will come later Sunday night or Monday. I don't follow those close enough to know who will be the pick and who won't. Auburn probably figured out from watching the Hogs beat Florida there's not really a lot of mystery because they can just go back and watch last year's team.
That's exactly what the win over the Gators looked like. It's pretty simple what they did and all the defense has to do is figure out how to get a big ol' quarterback on the ground and cover receivers long enough to make him tuck it and run.
The Hog Idiots section of the fan base is completely accomplished at adding 2+2 and coming up with every number except 4. It's part of why they scream so loud when results don't meet their expectations. It will all be solved by firing the coach and finding someone who will take them to the mountain top and stay there.
There's about 50 years of evidence that probably isn't going to happen consistently. Don't worry because about all Sam Pittman is focused on right now is getting ready for Auburn. He remembers very well what happened last year against Liberty.
HOGS FEED:
KJ JEFFERSON FINDING FLORIDA SUNSHINE PLUS A COUPLE OF LIGHTLY-USED RECEIVERS
ARKANSAS SURVIVES WILD DUEL DOWN IN THE SWAMP, MAINTAINS BOWL ELIGIBILITY FOR TIME BEING
HOGS MISSING ANOTHER KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYER AGAINST FLORIDA, BUT WILL HE BE BACK NEXT WEEK?
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