Tusk to Tail: They might give Hooker a Heisman; and Ole Miss likely tops the Hogs

THE QUESTION
Who do you think will win the Heisman Trophy this year?

Dale: Right now, it would be hard to pick against CJ Stroud out of Ohio State. He’s putting up
big numbers and being 10-0 is helping.

David: Being in playoff consideration is a big factor. Being a quarterback is important too, so sorry, Will Anderson. Stroud will be at the ceremony, and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV might be there, as well. I think the trophy will go to Hendon Hooker at Tennessee.

THE GAMES
#14 Ole Miss @ Arkansas
Todd: Just like I said about Liberty, if you had told me LSU would only score 13, I would say we win. What an impressive performance by our defense on a cold morning on The Hill. If we had a healthy KJ Jefferson, we win that game by 10. Now the future Auburn coach Lane Kiffin and his Rebels roll in for a cold night game at Razorback Stadium. Ole Miss is coming off another heartbreaker loss to Alabama last week. Will the Rebs be down, and how will the weather affect them? The Hogs have everything to play for, needing one more victory to be bowl eligible. The good news is Myles Slusher is back this week, but there is no official word whether KJ will be. The Razorbacks are 5-1 when getting 430 yards or more and 0-4 when they don’t. Without KJ, we saw last week there is no offense. I don’t think even with KJ this offense has enough to keep up with Ole Miss. Black Bears 37-24 with KJ. With no KJ, let’s say 37-10 Rebs.

Dale: The point spread is small, and as you know, Vegas knows. If KJ plays, I think the Hogs can win. If not, it will fall on the D. If they can keep it close, our O might have a chance. Maybe it comes down to another field goal like last week. I’m still a homer, so call it Hogs 24, Ole Miss 21.

Greg: As a huge fan of Coach Sam Pittman, I’d love to drink some Kool Aid and say the boys are ready to play a complete game. But I predict we lose by at least 2 touchdowns. It’s pretty damn hard to figure out if our O-line can produce like we saw at the beginning of the year. No matter the outcome, I’m still confident that our staff will take an honest assessment of themselves and our players. It is a total team effort of recruiting and player development. I’m glad they got a damn fine paycheck, but it’s time to keep building a program for years to come.

#24 Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma
Dale: I don’t even see how this game is close, other than OSU has to go on the road. Usually OU has OSU’s number, but this could be one of those years that even OSU couldn’t give this game away. OU is just average, and in need of some players. I’ll say OSU covers on the road, 38 – 30 over OU.

Todd: Bedlam. Anything can happen. What has happened to the Cowboys offense? Just a month ago they were riding high and ranked in the top 10. Then losses to K-State and KU, and they are barely hanging on. Now they get their instate rival OU. The Sooners defensive front is too much, and Brent Venables gets his only highlight in a five loss season. OU with the upset, 30-27.

#10 Utah @ #12 Oregon
Dale: Oregon is coming off a difficult loss to Washington, and will be ready to show they are still in contention for the conference title. However, Utah is good. With Bo Nix not at 100%, I think Utah puts Oregon out of the running for anything this year. Make it Utah 27, Oregon 24.

#7 USC @ #16 UCLA
Greg: Chip Kelly gets the best from the West at his home. His mojo may not be what it was, but he still knows how to scheme a game. If UCLA can keep it close in the 4th, I’ll say the Bruins by 3 with the help of special teams.

David: When pondering the downfall of Sooners football, look no further than USC’s sideline where OU’s former coach Lincoln Riley has led former Sooner QB Caleb Williams to a 9-1 record and Top 10 ranking. The Trojans don’t play much defense, but I think they score enough to get past UCLA 38-35.

#4 TCU @ Baylor
Greg: Does TCU have a down game after such a great win in prime time? Kinda feels like the Horned Frogs are destined to make the playoffs. Dave Aranda coached a helluva Baylor team last year, but like the Hogs, there may be a few too many pieces missing. Fort Worth travels well to the land of Chip and Joanna Gaines. Frogs by 10.

Todd: The undefeated Horned Frogs have become a team that is hard to root against. They just seem to find a way to win. Surviving Texas in Austin last week, TCU is just a few wins away from landing a spot in the playoffs. If they win out, they would get in over Tennessee. Frogs 33-30

#1 Georgia @ Kentucky
Greg: Georgia may be the first number one team to feel like they have played under the radar the whole year. It’s either been Tennessee taking the stage or Bama losing twice, but it feels like we haven’t heard much about the Bulldogs. UGA is too close to the finish line to trip up now. They let the Wildcats play for a bit, but their season starts now. Dawgs by a lot.

David: Kentucky QB Will Levis is helping to prove just how important your veteran QB’s health is in this league. Like Arkansas, Kentucky began to struggle once their starter got banged up. UGA keeps rolling toward the playoff, 38-13.

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