Tusk to Tail: Reagan was president the last time the Hogs beat Texas in Fayetteville

THE QUESTION
Which four teams will make the College Football Playoffs this season?

Todd Rudisill: Alabama – Looked by far the best last week, and will do so week in and week out. Saban is a machine.
Clemson – Will run the table after losing to Georgia.
Oklahoma – Not a good showing last week against Tulane. Has a favorable schedule.
Ohio State – Same old same old. A weak Big 10 schedule will help. But have to get past Oregon first.

Sam Atkinson: I’m going with Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Cincinnati. Sorry Georgia and Texas A&M. Bama will cause you to be left out this year.

Mark Wagner: Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Oklahoma.

THE GAMES
• #15 Texas @ Arkansas
Sam Atkinson: My heart and my head are having a hard time deciding this one. Both teams started last week a little slow. UT has a lot of speed, but come 3rd quarter, the Hogs will be back at full strength on defense. My heart wins out, and Arkansas beats Texas 31-27.

Mark Wagner: Bijan Robinson will prove too much for the Arkansas defense, as Texas running up the middle will wear the Hogs down in the second half. In addition, the O-line for Arkansas hasn’t shown that they can block anybody for the past three seasons. That isn’t going to change this year. Although the Horns will be playing in possibly the toughest environment they will face all year, the Longhorns will win this one in a close game. Horns 28, Hogs 21.

Todd Rudisill: The last time the Hogs beat Texas in Fayetteville was 40 years ago. It was the legendary trashing of the top ranked Horns 42-11. No matter what the media says, this is a statement game. Not only for this season, but for the future. Want to have serious bowl hopes for this season? Win this game. Want Texas to know that the SEC isn’t their playground like the old SWC days? Win this game. KJ Jefferson has to come out and set the tone early. He can’t start out slow and hope for the best in the second half against the Horns. Same goes for the offensive and defensive lines. Set the tone early. Texas has a star RB in Bijan Robinson. Stop him and make the new QB Hudson Card beat you. This will be an insane atmosphere and the first official sellout crowd since the new north end zone opened up. Welcome the Horns to an SEC environment. It will be nothing like they have ever seen in the Big 12. Win it, and they will be thinking about this game until that first season in the SEC. I’m going all in with the crowd and the Treylon Burks factor. Hogs make a statement, and win 33-30.

• Missouri @ Kentucky
Sam Atkinson: Mizzou struggled last week, and Kentucky rolled on offense. I believe Kentucky’s defense is better than Missouri’s, so I’m taking Big Blue over Mizzou 42-27.

Todd Rudisill: Penn State transfer QB Will Levis threw for almost 400 yards and four scores last week for Kentucky. Mizzou struggled against Central Michigan, and the defense was the highlight. These teams mirror each other. Home field is the difference. Cats win, 31-27.

• Washington @ Michigan
Mark Wagner: Washington wins this. Don’t let their upset loss to Montana fool you. They are a better team than that. Michigan has lost their top receiver for the year, and the Michigan ground game will look more pedestrian than the 8 yards per carry it averaged against Western Michigan. Washington 21. Michigan 20.

• #10 Iowa @ #9 Iowa State
Sam Atkinson: Iowa State could not break away from a small directional school from the same state and Iowa did not seem to struggle very much against a ranked opponent last week. Therefore, I’m going with the Hawkeyes of Iowa over the Cyclones of Iowa State 34-27.

Todd Rudisill: Rivalry game in week two. Iowa rolled a good Indiana team while Iowa State had fits with Northern Iowa. Throw it all out the window when it’s a rivalry game. Expect a low scoring defensive game. Iowa wins on the road and wins the “Cy-Hawk” trophy whatever that is. Hawkeyes 21-17.

• #5 Texas A&M @ Colorado
Mark Wagner: A&M had two 100 yard rushers in their season opener, while Colorado beat up on a nobody (Northern Colorado) in their first game. I just feel that A&M has more talent and will take care of business. A&M 34, Buffalos 17.

• #12 Oregon @ #3 Ohio State
Mark Wagner: Oregon has the speed and the athletes to give Ohio State problems. They may even grab an early lead in the game. But the Ohio State O-line is a bulldozer and they will pound away at Oregon.  Stroud will connect on a bomb or two. Oregon will still be in the game in the third quarter, but Ohio State pulls away in the fourth and wins. Ohio State 34, Oregon 24.

Todd Rudisill: Crazy to say, but this is probably the last big test for Ohio State on their schedule. They own Michigan. Oregon is coming off an unimpressive win over Fresno State, but is good enough to pull the upset. The Ducks have a pass rush that will give Stroud some issues. Ducks get a first half lead but it’s all Buckeyes in the second half with some big conversions down field. Buckeyes win 38-24.

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