Maniac's SEC Picks: Week 3

Week 3 of the College Football Season
Last week I went 11-1 Week 2 Picks
My picks are in bold.

ALABAMA @ TEXAS A&M

SOUTHERN MISS @ ARKANSAS

LOUISVILLE @ KENTUCKY

TENNESSEE @ OREGON

MISSISSIPPI STATE @ AUBURN

VANDERBILT @ SOUTH CAROLINA

KENT ST. @ LSU

OLE MISS @ TEXAS

Florida, Georgia, and Missouri are all off this week.

The Great Stadium Debate

www.wmstadium.com

It's becoming a bigger and bigger issue these days and this season is no exception. The issue seems to be among fans a Northwest Arkansas vs Central and South Arkansas thing. Fans that are most passionate for the games to stay are from the Central and South Arkansas area. A lot from those areas still travel pretty well up to NWA to see the Hogs play in Fayetteville. But for some including myself the only experience they have ever had to see the Razorbacks in person has been at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. Razorback games have been played in War Memorial since 1948. So its very easy to see why people are so passionate about games being there because generations have grown up watching games there. Now with that said fans still need to buy tickets and go to the games. Plenty of people show up to tailgating outside the stadium on what is starting to be called "The Course". The economy has some hand into people not buying tickets. Ticket sales are only part of the equation. Costs for the team, travel, and recruiting are playing a huge roll into the debate as well. Some of the decision makers feel the costs are rising to a level where its becoming costly to have a "home" game away from Fayetteville. Coach Bielema said that the bus ride to Little Rock and back is the longest travel they have and its a home game. Starting this year they are flying back from the game and eventually would like to fly to the game and back. Then one of the bigger issues at least to the coaches is recruiting. When the Hogs play at Little Rock they can not host recruits on official visits which limit their interactions with the recruits. Coach Bielema said this year there were about 6 kids that only had open weeks on the games that were in Little Rock which mean they would not be able to get an official visit with them. Understandably this would appear to be a major issue to the coaches and the decision makers because they want the coaches to be happy so they can put out the best product possible and stay with the team. Bottom line is if fans want games to stay in Little Rock then they need to show up and support the team inside the stadium not just on the outside tailgating. Instead of blowing money on beer, food, and everything else someone would want or need for tailgating use the money on a ticket and have a low key tailgate so you can send a message to the decision makers that you want the games. Even then it still may not be enough save the games once the contract expires especially when politics will most likely get involved but if the fans don't show up then that will give them the message that fans in the central and southern parts of the state just don't care anymore. Whether the games go away or not fans need to continue to support the Razorbacks and want whatever is best for them to succeed.

Maniac's NFL Picks: Week 1

Denver has already dominated Baltimore so I will give my picks on the remainder of  Week 1
My picks are underlined and in bold.

Patriots @ Bills

Titans @ Steelers

Falcons @ Saints

Buccaneers @ Jets

Chiefs @ Jaguars

Seahawks @ Panthers

Bengals @ Bears

Dolphins @ Browns

Vikings @ Lions

Raiders @ Colts

Packers @ 49ers

Cardinals @ Rams

Giants @ Cowboys

Eagles @ Redskins

Texans @ Chargers

Maniac's SEC Picks: Week 2

Week 2 of the College Football Season.
These are my picks for the teams in the SEC
My picks are in bold and underlined 

Samford @ Arkansas

Arkansas State @ Auburn

Miami (OH) @ Kentucky

Florida @ Miami

W. Kentucky @ Tennessee

Toledo @ Missouri

Alcorn St @ Mississippi State

South Carolina @ Georgia

SE Missouri St @ Mississippi 

Sam Houston St @ Texas A&M

UAB @ LSU

Austin Peay @ Vanderbilt 

2013 Arkansas Razorbacks Season Prediction

credit: ArkansasRazorbacks.com

It's finally game week. That time of year that all football fans desperately look forward to all winter and summer long. Last season was a major disaster. No one can deny the Razorbacks had talent last year. The biggest thing they didn't have was leadership on and off the field. The players flat out gave up especially after the loss to Louisiana Monroe. You have to go back a few years to win the Razorbacks lost all games at War Memorial like they did last season. Most people would say that the Arkansas Razorbacks are in rebuilding mode. I personally would say the Razorbacks are in redemption mode. The Hogs made a big splash hiring Bret Bielema (Pronounced Bee-la-muh). He hired a top notch staff and even grabbed some big recruits at the end of the recruitment period. It will take a few years to get the players that Coach Bielema and his staff need to fit the style they are bringing to Arkansas. Fans will need to be patient and realize their will be growing pains. But fans can take solace in the fact that along the way there will be things to be very excited and happy about. Last year the Razorbacks won only 4 games but with a better coach they could have easily won 6 to 7 games.

1. Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns-------------------------------W
2. Samford Bulldogs--------------------------------------------------------W
3. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles-----------------------------W
4. Rutgers Scarlet Knights-----------------------------------------------W
5. Texas A&M Aggies -------------------------------------------------------L
6. Florida Gators---------------------------------------------------------------L
7. South Carolina Gamecocks------------------------------------------W
8. Alabama Crimson Tide------------------------------------------------- L
9. Auburn Tigers--------------------------------------------------------------W
10. Ole Miss Rebels------------------------------------------------------------L
11. Mississippi State Bulldogs--------------------------------------------W
12. LSU Tigers--------------------------------------------------------------------L

                I see the Razorbacks going 7-5 and pulling an upset on South Carolina. I can't quite put my finger on why but I feel like the Hogs can get it done against the Gamecocks in Fayetteville. There are other games that really could be a lot closer than people think. If the Aggies don't have Johnny Football then that could be a winnable game. Also Florida at the Swamp has the potential to be an upset. If the Hogs were to get a few upsets along the way I completely feel like it will balance out with a few let downs as that is just a fact of history with the Razorbacks. In my opinion the Razorbacks have the talent to be at least a 6-6 team and go on to a bowl game and likely win it making them just over .500 for the season. 

Open Letter to Razorback Nation

The College Football season is just around the corner. The SEC Media Days are going on and Coach Bret Bielema did what coach does best and stole the show. He has high hopes for the season and the future of the program. The Petrino era has spoiled the fans. Fans have been very high on the Hog for the last couple of years. Last season was a big disappointment for all involved with the U of A. Coach Bielema is already making headway with some recruits that fit his and his staff's styles better. Fans are just going to have to be patient for the next few seasons as adjustments are made and players are brought in and developed. Just look to the NFL and see how some of the most recent guys that have played for Bielema are doing. JJ Watt is considered one of the best defensive players in the league and he is only beginning his career. Russell Wilson was good at NC State but finished his development at Wisconsin and then went on to be one of the top QB's in the NFL as a rookie. There were several players drafted this past season including Dallas Cowboys first round pick Travis Frederick. Coach Bielema has a proven track record. Give him and his staff time. They will make Arkansas respectable again and hopefully bring them to the promise land. Bottom line please give the coaches time to do their jobs. We are fans which is short for fanatics but you still have to have realistic expectations for just a short while. Believe in the Hogs and support them no matter if they go 14-0 or 0-12. WPS! Never Yield! Go Hogs! Be Uncommon!

19 Years Ago Today: 1994 National Championship - Arkansas vs Duke

April 4th 1994 sticks out to all of Razorback Nation. It is the last time the Hogs have won a championship in one of the major sports. The Razorbacks have come close since including a return to the championship in 1995 but a loss to UCLA. Take a look back as Razorback Nation remembers this very important date in Razorback History.