Tusk to Tail: The scariest Razorback player ever? A volleyball player. Really.

THE QUESTION
Who is the scariest player to ever wear a Razorbacks uniform?

Willard Grandview: There have been a lot of scary players for Arkansas fans to watch over the years. Billy Ray Smith was scary coming off the edge; Steve Atwater was scary targeting wide receivers over the middle; Darren McFadden was scary hitting the hole; Joe Adams was scary returning a punt. But no Hog has ever been scarier than the 6’4” 345-pound man from Helena, the master of the pancake block (and probably the pancake). I’m talking about none other than “The Big Chill” Freddie Childress. He weighed 320 as a freshman and was told to report to camp the next year at 310. He showed up at 335. Even the man’s mother admitted she secretly hoped he’d stop growing in high school! As then O-line coach Larry Beckham said, “He’s just so thick.” Thick … and scary.

Mark Wagner: There have been many frightening players to wear the uniform, from All American defensive lineman Loyd Phillips, to nose tackle Billy Ray Smith Jr. But in this Halloween edition of predictions, I’d have to say the scariest Razorback to wear a University of Arkansas uniform was Jessica Dorrell, an Arkansas Volleyball player whose affair with Bobby Petrino was able to destroy an entire football program in 2012. The program still hasn’t recovered. It’s the stuff of nightmares.

Todd Rudisill: On just looks alone, Sacha Lancaster. On play alone, Steve Atwater.

THE GAMES
• Mississippi State @ Arkansas
Mac Garland: Coach Joe Moorhead is widely expected to leave Starkville after the season for another job, so they would start a coaching search without a large buyout saddled to their budget. As far as the game, it’s hard to say. The Razorbacks have not quit on Coach Morris, and that says a lot. If the offense can protect the ball, maybe the Hogs have a shot. However, Moorhead likes to throw the ball, and that has been a problem for our defense. Bulldogs 24, Hogs 17

Brad Davis: I am taking Arkansas just because. They need to play better and keep the spark lit, or try that new untested set of plugs and see what happens. This is a good one to do it in with MSU on a 4-game losing streak, but they will be looking at this game as an opportunity for a W to get back on track. Give me Arkansas for the win

Greg Houser: If ever TTT members could show we are full-fledged supporters of our university, then this is it. I say the Hogs win an ugly game. We don’t win because our Hogs can take advantage of opportunities, we just happen to make fewer mistakes this Saturday. I’m hoping for growth and player development, but I’ll take an ugly W. Hogs by 3.

Todd Rudisill: This game should be the start of the quarterback battle for next season, Jones vs. Jefferson. But for some reason, you know Hicks, the senior who hasn’t done much except in the A&M game, will step out on the field Saturday and start. Arkansas will probably play all three, and the offensive line will have to look behind them to remember who is back there. For the second week in a row, the Hogs will face a freshman QB. Shrader hasn’t gone off, but he has rushed for over 60 yards six games in a row. He threw three TD passes last week against A&M. Hogs fans would kill for that. There’s no reason to believe that Hogs aren’t headed to 0-14 in the SEC. State wins, 27-20.

• #22 Kansas State @ Kansas
Mac Garland: Both schools have new coaches and are exceeding expectations for each fan base ahead of the Sunflower Showdown. The Wildcats are favored by 6.5 for the game in Lawrence. The Jayhawks lead the series 64-47-5, but the Wildcats are on a 10-game win streak. They’ll make it 11 Saturday and tie their longest streak. Kansas St 34, Kansas 24

Todd Rudisill: Would you trade for Les Miles right now? K-State is coming off the monumental upset against Oklahoma last weekend. Will they have a letdown against their arch rival? The Wildcats’ offense is rolling. Look for them to keep it away from the semi-powered Jayhawk offense. Cats take this one 34-24

• #15 SMU @ #24 Memphis
Brad Davis: The NCAA and its transfer portal idea has helped each program. SMU is playing 17 transfers, and Memphis will play six. Neither team plays much defense, so it should be a high scoring, fun game to watch. SMU by 7

Todd Rudisill: SMU and Memphis is a top 25 matchup. SMU is 8-0. ESPN Gameday is in Memphis. Are we in the Twilight Zone? Pony up! 37-34, SMU.

• #9 Utah @ Washington
Greg Houser: When I cash my lotto ticket in and winter in Arizona, I’ll be able to stay up late and watch more PAC 12 games. I seem to remember Utah playing really well lately. Washington took the Utes last year, so revenge and a hot streak beat the Huskies. 31-28, Utah.

• #7 Oregon @ USC
Mark Wagner: Oregon relies heavily on its running game, which gets going because the Oregon offensive line is so good. They will be going against a USC defense who are only ranked 10th in the conference against the run, and a couple of starters on the d-line are hurt. The USC offense has one of the better passing attacks in the country, but they’ll be going against an Oregon secondary that is second in the conference defending the pass. The two teams haven’t played each other since 2016, and this game is at the Coliseum. I see the Ducks controlling the ball and keeping the Trojan passing attack on the sideline. Oregon 31, USC 21

• #8 Georgia vs. #6 Florida
Willard Grandview: It’s actually kind of great to see these two teams back at their best. The East without them competing is just putrid. I think Georgia’s loss to South Carolina was the most shocking of the year in College Football, and Florida’s thumping of Auburn was one of the more impressive wins. The Bulldogs are -6.5 in Jacksonville, with a modest over/under of 44.5. I’m going to take those points, but I still expect UGA to prevail in a low scoring game and keep their playoff hopes alive.

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.