Baylor bound?
Brandon's Line of Scrimmage column for November 21st
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
The drama continues. On the eve of Darren McFadden’s and the Razorbacks’ last home game, rumors filled the Arkansas phone lines. I heard the news of Houston Nutt’s possible departure by mid-afternoon Friday and by nightfall, the state was abuzz.
In the River Market, you couldn’t walk without hearing someone speculate about Nutt’s possible departure and a $2 million deal at Baylor University in Texas. There were other teams (Southern Methodist University, Memphis and Ole Miss) in the mix, but “Baylor Bound” seemed to be the word.
The news broke faster than Britney Spears’ first marriage, but it didn’t take long before Nutt and University of Arkansas officials strongly denied the rumors. So, who’s telling the truth and what exactly is that truth?
Who cares? I’m not sure anyone knew it, but there was a football game played Saturday. One in which the Razorbacks looked pretty darn good in a 45-31 win over Mississippi State. Casey Dick had a career game with 14 for 17 for 199 yards. Believe it or not, Dick is tied for third in school history for touchdown passes with 33. Bet you didn’t see that coming.
McFadden’s 88 rushing yards were nothing to brag about, but throw in 24 passing yards for a touchdown and 50 yards receiving for a touchdown, his stock looks a bit better. Can he still win the Heisman?
He’ll have to come up huge in Friday’s contest against Louisiana State University, but he’s still got a shot.
As for Houston, we’ll have to wait at least until after Friday’s game with the No. 1 team in the nation. Personally, I think I would leave. Granted there are many fans who still support the Razorbacks’ head coach who has delivered seven bowl appearances (and probably an eighth at the end of the season) and a 74-48 record during in his tenure here. But with a new rumor started every week and constant criticism, Houston’s time has come.
It’s been a fun 10 years, but the fans have spoken. You’ve been voted off the island.
UP NEXT — The Hogs make the trip to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers in a battle for the Golden Boot. With Arkansas’ inconsistent play, the only way to break down this game is with statistics. Here’s a few TV stats that make Arkansas’ outlook not so good.
The game will be televised on CBS, which doesn’t bode well for the Hogs. The team is 12-22 on the network and 5-10 against LSU on television. The Razorbacks are 17-33-2 against LSU all-time.
The Hogs can win this game, but with all the controversy surrounding the team, and considering LSU is expected to win the national championship, it’s going to be a tough battle.
LSU will probably win, but my friends will kill me if I pick Arkansas to lose.
PREDICTION — Arkansas 34, LSU 31
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