The first Razorback victory at home over a Top 5 team since that 1999 win over Tennessee was sweet.
Yes, I had a 33-0 record on the picks following the first five weeks of the season. Yes, I picked Tennessee to win. But the perfect record had already been ruined earlier in the day when UCA lost to Abilene Christian and UAM lost at East Central Oklahoma.
I was happy for Sam Pittman, a man who came into the game with a 6-16 record in one-score contests; a man facing growing fan discontent. What you see is what you get with Pittman, and he deserved this moment. It was on the big stage — an ABC prime time game with Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Kirk’s dog in the house.
Arkansas is 4-2 overall (that could easily be 6-0) and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama and Georgia, among others, have the same number of SEC losses at this point.
And don’t listen to those Tennessee sympathizers who want you to believe that this was some kind of fluke.
Consider the fact that Arkansas outgained Tennessee 434-332.
Consider the fact that the Razorback defense held Tennessee 40 points below its FBS-best scoring average of 54 points.
Consider the fact that the Hog defense held Tennessee 233 yards below its total offense average of 565 yards.
Consider the fact that Arkansas led in time of possession 35:35 to 24:25.
That’s no fluke. That’s lining up and beating the Vols. Arkansas now gets a well-deserved open date before hosting LSU in Fayetteville on Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. The game will be on ESPN. LSU will be coming off what promises to be a tough battle this Saturday against Ole Miss.
Last week’s 7-3 record makes the season record 40-3. You Razorback fans should use this open date to get out and see one of the other college teams in the state. There are some good ones out there. Here are the picks for this week’s games:
Texas State 31, Arkansas State 29 — The Red Wolves picked up an 18-16 victory over South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference opener when Clune Van Andel drilled a 34-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in the game. It was one of four Van Andel field goals on a night when the Red Wolf offense struggled. Both ASU and Texas State are 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Texas State’s victories have been by scores of 34-27 over Lamar, 49-10 over Texas-San Antonio and 38-17 over Troy. The losses were by scores of 31-28 to Arizona State and 40-39 to Sam Houston State. I’ll give a slight advantage to Texas State since the game is in San Marcos.
UCA 28, West Georgia 17 — The Bears had moved up to No. 5 and No. 7 in the two main FCS polls before going to Abilene, Texas, and losing 41-34 to Abilene Christian. UCA trailed by 14 points at halftime. Abilene Christian is now 4-2 overall and 3-0 in conference play. The Bears fell to 4-2 and 1-1. West Georgia comes to Conway this week with a 1-4 record. The lone victory was 38-29 over Samford in the season opener. That has been followed by loses of 38-24 to Abilene Christian, 26-7 to Eastern Kentucky, 25-16 to North Alabama and 20-16 to Austin Peay.
Prairie View A&M 14, UAPB 8 — The Golden Lions get national television exposure on ESPN2 Friday night when they host Prairie View A&M. UAPB fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in the SWAC with a 38-28 loss at Alcorn State. UAPB led 14-0 in the first quarter of that game. Prairie View is 2-4. The wins were by scores of 37-31 over Northwestern State of Louisiana and 36-34 over Grambling. The losses were by scores of 27-9 to Texas Southern, 40-0 to Michigan State, 31-24 to Southern University of Baton Rouge and 56-28 to Incarnate Word of San Antonio.
Harding 69, Northwestern Oklahoma 13 — The defending national champions from Harding get stronger with each passing week. The victim this week will be 1-4 Northwestern Oklahoma. Harding, 5-0, is ranked No. 1 in the nation in NCAA Division II by the American Football Coaches Association, and I don’t think there’s a close No. 2. Harding defeated 2-3 Southwestern Oklahoma 57-3 as quarterback Cole Keylon passed for 130 yards, unusually high for Harding’s option offense. Keylon ran for two touchdowns and passed for three more. The Bisons led 36-3 at halftime. As usual, they rested the starters in the second half.
Ouachita 34, East Central Oklahoma 15 — Ouachita improved to 5-0 with a 25-9 victory on the road against Southeastern Oklahoma, the best of the six Oklahoma teams in the Great American Conference. The Tiger offense struggled at times, but the defense played well throughout the game. East Central comes to Arkadelphia this Saturday with a 1-4 record. Ouachita moved up to No. 10 in the AFCA poll. It’s nice to have two of the Top 10 teams in the country from Arkansas.
Southeastern Oklahoma 24, UAM 21 — Both teams are 2-3, but Southeastern appears to be the more talented squad. Arkansas’ GAC teams are now 17-1 against the Oklahoma teams. The first loss came Saturday when UAM fell 42-17 to a previously winless East Central Oklahoma squad. East Central jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the second quarter and never looked back. UAM won its first two games of the season and has now lost three consecutive games. Last year, the Bolls Weevils got off to a 2-0 start and then didn’t win another game.
Arkansas Tech 32, Southwestern Oklahoma 30 — The Wonder Boys are 3-2. Southwestern Oklahoma is 2-3. Advantage Wonder Boys since the game is in Russellville. Tech made the long trip to Alva, Okla., last Saturday and came home with a 44-21 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma. The Wonder Boys jumped out to a 31-14 halftime lead.
Henderson 46, Southern Nazarene 16 — The Reddies moved to 4-1 with a 52-7 thrashing of 1-4 Oklahoma Baptist in Arkadelphia. Jody Easter returned the opening kickoff 93 yards for a Reddie touchdown. Quarterback Andrew Edwards was 15 of 21 passing for 242 yards with a career-high six touchdowns. This week’s game is on the road, but an 0-5 Southern Nazarene team won’t present much of a challenge.
Southern Arkansas 43, Oklahoma Baptist 10 — The 4-1 Muleriders have a Thursday night game against 1-4 Oklahoma Baptist. SAU posted a 49-21 win over Southern Nazarene last Saturday as Judd Barton threw three touchdown passes. Barton was 25 of 31 passing for 332 yards.