Tusk to Tail: Let’s throw some baseball in with the college football predictions

It’s a bye week for Razorback football. Time to rest and recharge; allow the liver time to come up for air. And then there is baseball.

THE QUESTION
Who do you think will play in the World Series? Who wins?

Brad Davis: Astros and Dodgers. I don’t see a sleeper making a run. The Astros and Dodgers are the two hottest teams going into the playoffs and carry the best records with 107 and 106 wins, respectively. The Dodgers hold the top spot in pitching, but the Astros are a close third with a pitching staff that has three legitimate #1’s in the rotation that regularly go into the 7th inning. However, the Astros are way ahead on the hitting as the # 1 hitting team in baseball.    Astros in 7.

Todd Rudisill: I’m hoping my Cardinals can get their traditional playoff magic going against the favored Braves.But even if they get past them, I don’t think they will get past the 2nd round. I’m going with the Astros and Dodgers in the Series with the Astros winning another for H-town.

Greg Houser: A good number of these teams playing in October have claimed the World Series in the last 10-15 years. My hope is the Cardinals show up like they did in 2011 to win it. There are several teams that have the ability to go deep, but for the sake of our football readers, I’ll shorten it to Astros over the Yankees.

THE GAMES
• #14 Iowa @ #19 Michigan
Mac Garland: Kirk Ferentz has Iowa off to a 4-0 start, while Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines at 3-1. The over/under is 47.5 points and Michigan is favored by 3.5 points. These schools don’t play that frequently since the Big Ten expanded. Iowa has won the past two (2013, 2016), though both of those were in Iowa City. Iowa looks to be the better rushing team based on statistics alone, and that will help them grab a victory in Ann Arbor. Iowa 20, Michigan 18

• California @ #13 Oregon
Mark Wagner: This will be Oregon’s game all the way. Cal has looked good except for last week when they had the lea, in the fourth quarter, but got beaten by Arizona State. To make matters worse, they lost their starting QB to an injury. Oregon has their offense rolling after stumbling out of the gate. I don’t see this one being close, as Oregon wins by a score of 42 – 17.

• #11 Texas @ West Virginia
Mark Wagner: Even though the game is at West Virginia, I expect that Texas will win this game in convincing fashion. The Mountaineer defense is weak against the pass, and Texas QB Sam Ehlinger is the real deal with a 15:1 TD to interception ratio. Also, Texas is averaging 5.4 yards per rushing attempt and WVU struggles against the run, as well, ranking only 91rst in rush defense. Texas 35, WVU 14

• #7 Auburn @ #10 Florida
Willard Grandview: I have to admit I have a Love/Hate relationship with Gus Malzahn. I love his ties to Arkansas; I love the spectacular season he gave us as an offensive coordinator in 2006; and I love him because as the Hogs loaded onto the bus after we upset #2 Auburn on The Plains that year, he stopped for a moment, dropped down on a knee, and DREW ON THE GROUND the trick play he used to secure the win for the Tusk to Tail crew. (Yep, we were doing this in 2006.) But I also hate Gus for being too smart to come back here and clean up the mess Bret Bielema left behind. Looks like our old friend has assembled one of his better Auburn teams this year, and I like them to keep rolling this weekend over the Gators. Chomp this. AU 24, UF 12

Greg Houser: The old Gus bus is heading down to The Swamp. I’ve always been a fan of Dan Mullen and admired him for getting so much out of Mississippi State. While Dan is seeing great success at Florida, I think his luck will run out this Saturday. Dan doesn’t have all of his recruits and Gus seems to always have singed back pockets these days from the proverbial hot seat. Auburn 27, Florida 20

Todd Rudisill: Just like Michigan was exposed as a fraud against Wisconsin, Auburn is about to expose Florida. Freshman Bo Nix was on fire last week against Mississippi State, throwing for over 300 yards. Florida is enjoying their season with a backup quarterback who hasn’t seen a defensive front like the Tigers have. The Gators’ defense will keep them in it for a while, but in the end, Aubbie wins 31-17.

• #25 Michigan State @ #4 Ohio State
Willard Grandview: If I’m being honest, I’m not even sure who the head coach is at The Ohio State University this year. I know it’s not Urban Mayer, though, so my guess is they will eventually tumble from the elite of college football. Not this weekend, however. Mark Dantonio (who was in the mix here when Bret Bielema was hired) seems to be struggling this year. Ohio State dots the “I,” then punches Sparty in the eye 34-21.

• #3 Georgia @ Tennessee
Mac Garland: Are you a fan of snuff films? That’s what this will be. Tennessee appears to be in worse shape than the Razorback program and there are questions about head coach Jeremy Pruitt’s future. These schools are big rivals, but Georgia will run over and through the Vols after having the last week off following the win over Notre Dame. Georgia is favored by 25. Georgia 42, Tennessee 10

Todd Rudisill: How long before [Tennessee Athletic Director and former coach] Phil Fulmer steps in for Pruitt? There are two Hog recruits from Memphis who are going to be in Knoxville for this game. One is committed to the Hogs, and the other one has not jumped on board yet.  I’m wanting the Tennessee Volunteer football program derailment to continue this week before their eyes. It will. Dawgs win big, 37-14.

Brad Davis: Georgia in a blowout. Tennessee may be worse than Arkansas. This won’t be much more than a practice game with a bunch of moving cones for Georgia to get ready for another push for the SEC East Title. Georgia 56, Tennessee 17

Editor’s note: Now in its eighth year, Tusk to Tail is the sport of tailgating as organized, performed and perfected by a group of Hog fans who have been tailgating together sober and otherwise for more than a decade. The primary focus of Tusk to Tail will be to follow the Hogs through the fans’ perspective with their insightful, irreverent, smart-alecky and sometimes practical style. Tusk to Tail sponsors are the Arkansas Lottery Scholarship program and Turn Key Construction Management. The diehards may also be followed on their Facebook page. Or follow the crew on Twitter and Instagram, all @TuskToTail.