Tusk to Tail: The Chad Morris era is shaping up to be a ‘wet firecracker’

THE QUESTION
Chad Morris is 4-15 as a head football coach at Arkansas. Do you think he will ever lead the Razorbacks to a winning season?

Sam Atkinson: The Key word is “ever.” If Coach Morris is able to get two more recruiting class like the last one, he will have much more speed, and I do believe we can begin winning those close games. So, my answer is Yes!

Forrest Acuff: I was very high on Chad when he was hired, but my confidence is waning with each game that passes. We were promised one of the most explosive offenses in the country and all we have seen is a wet firecracker. To me, this staff is in over their head, and I don’t see this experiment lasting more than another season.

Todd Rudisill: All four of those wins are against non-power 5 conference teams, but yes, he could lead us to a winning season if he changes up the coaching staff in the off season. He must also end this QB shuffle after starting five different quarterbacks in 15 games. If he is hard headed and doesn’t, I think we would see the same show again next season, especially with the tougher schedule, and the Chad Morris era will be over in 3 years. Now if our former QB Ty Storey comes in with Western Kentucky, lights us up for 300-plus, and leaves Fayetteville with a win, all bets are off.

THE GAMES
• Arkansas @ #1 Alabama
Craig May: Over the last several years, this has been a “name the score” game for Alabama. It doesn’t matter if it’s home or road, the talent level is just not close. Alabama’s starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is out this weekend with an ankle injury. Enter Mac Jones. Anybody ever heard of this guy? He’s a 6’2, 180, 3-star guy out of Jacksonville, Fla. Is he capable of engineering the typical Alabama blowout? Hell yes, he is. You only have to look at this year’s A-Day game. Jones was 19 of 23 for 271 yards and two touchdowns to Tua’s 19 of 37 for 265 yards and one touchdown. With Tua out and the weather looking terrible, I’ll at least tune in for the first half. Alabama 45, Arkansas 10

Jeb Joyce: If this were a Halloween costume party, Alabama would wear a Prince Charming costume, while the Hogs would go as the poop emoji. Even without the quarterback whose name I can’t pronounce, Tide wins big.

Todd Rudisill: According to the ESPN Football Power index, our chance to win is 1.1%. The only reason it’s that high is because Tua is out. Crimson Tide 42-9

Sean Casey: With Tua out, do the Hogs have a chance? No, and the Hogs won’t even cover the 31.5-point spread. Bama will run the ball at will, and the Arkansas defense will convince the Gumps they have a new quarterback controversy between Tua and backup Mac Jones. I desperately hope I’m wrong, but the Hog faithful become more agitated after losing to Bama 63-10.

• #15 Texas @ TCU
Sam Atkinson: Texas plays much better at home, except for against Kansas last week. With this game in Fort Worth, I believe Texas has more talent and will squeeze out another very close game, 35-31.

• Washington State @ #11 Oregon
Forrest Acuff: This should be a shootout in Eugene. Leach’s air raid going against a high-octane Oregon offense should promise all the points. With Wazzu’s porous defense, I’d take Oregon to cover and take the over on the point total. For entertainment purposes only, of course.

• #8 Notre Dame @ # 19 Michigan
Todd Rudisill: Is the end near for Harbaugh? He just can’t seem to get over the hump in Ann Arbor. The Irish come into the game with a big W over USC two weeks ago, and had a bye week to prepare. The Michigan offense has been very inconsistent. Shea Patterson has not been given the protection he needs to run the offense on all cylinders. This will be a tight back-and-forth defensive game but once again I think the Wolverines lose it. Irish 23-20

Sean Casey: A well-rested Notre Dame team enters the Big House to face off with Michigan. The Wolverines may have a hangover from their tough loss to a top 10 Penn State team. Notre Dame’s bye week should give them the advantage, especially since Michigan has played a very physical 6-game stretch. But I’m going with my gut on this game. Michigan showed some heart against Penn State, ran the ball fairly well against the Penn State defense, and Michigan has had some glimmers of hope in the passing game. Michigan wins 24-20.

• #13 Wisconsin @ #3 Ohio State
Jeb Joyce: It’s hard to concentrate on football in light of the fact that it is Meatoberfest at Arby’s. When pressed for a decision, though, I will say Buckeyes by 11.

Todd Rudisill: Wisky got shell shocked by Illinois last week. Illinois? Buckeyes 33-20.

• #9 Auburn @ #2 LSU
Todd Rudisill: The Bayou Bengals’ high powered offense vs. the best front four defensive line in the SEC. Whoever thought we would call the LSU offense high powered? Burrow is hitting over 79% of his passes and averaging more than 11 yards per attempt. Bo Nix has thrown a total of 5 picks when he has played his two toughest opponents, Oregon and Florida. The LSU secondary has not been stellar this year, but they will test Nix. Auburn’s D will make Burrow work for it, but he is still going to make the plays in the end to pull this out in Baton Rouge and set the stage for the big Bama showdown in two weeks. I’ll take the Tigers of LSU 34-27

Craig May: For the Auburn fan base, the season boils down to 4 games. How do you finish against Florida, LSU Georgia and Alabama? The Florida game was a grind it out slugfest the Gators won 24-13. Now comes a trip to Death Valley. A loss to LSU will take the Tigers out of the SEC race for 2019. Auburn’s defense is great and will keep them in the game, but at the end of the day, the Tigers will have too much offense. Joe Burrow is hitting 79% of his passes and averages 11 yards per completion. LSU 31, Auburn 14

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.