Tusk to Tail: Will Arkansas be haunted in Kentucky by the ghost of the Pillsbury Throw Boy?

THE GAMES
• Arkansas @ Kentucky
Sean Casey: After an improved effort last week against Texas A&M, some Hog fans are optimistic about the Razorbacks stealing a win from Kentucky. They overlook the fact that this team has not shown any consistency at anything except finding ways to lose games. Hand me another. Hogs 45, Wildcats 41 in OT.

Jeb Joyce: Want to hear a scary story? The ghost of the Pillsbury Throw Boy will haunt the Hogs in Lexington as revenge for the Razorbacks’ 7-overtime win here during the Nutt era. The Hogs should keep it close, but still won’t be able to get the win.

Todd Rudisill: Nothing points to the Hogs marching into Lexington and coming out with a win. They always play A&M tough year in and year out at a neutral site in Dallas. The Hogs looked awful in their first SEC road loss in Oxford. Kentucky is playing with a backup QB, and their defense has not given up a passing touchdown in their last two games. I do think the Hogs will play better in their second true road test, but in the end it’s hard to win on the road in the conference with a mediocre team. UK 28-20. Prove me wrong Hogs.

• #17 Iowa @ #10 Penn State
Forrest Acuff: Penn State walks in with one of the more explosive offenses in the Big Ten. This Iowa team is no rollover though. If there’s anything we’ve learned, you don’t just walk into (I totally did not google this) Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium and come out with a win. It should be a fun matchup, but I like Penn State to squeak out a win.

• USC @ #9 Notre Dame
Sam Atkinson: The only good thing I can see in this TV game is “Tusk” performed by the USC band and cheerleaders, but they will not be able to play their fight song much. The Irish will make sure the nation knows the close game at Georgia was no fluke. Notre Dame over USC 35 to 21.

• #6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas
Todd Rudisill:  OU hasn’t played anybody. They struggled against K “stripper pole” U last week for most of the first half. The Longhorns’ secondary is banged up and has given up 340 passing yards a game in 4 of 6 contests this year. But this is the Red River Rivalry, and anything can happen in a rivalry game. Texas has an offense and QB in Ehlinger that can keep the Horns in it for most of the game. Texas winning this game is the Big 12’s worst nightmare, giving them a slim hope of getting a team in the playoffs. In the end, though, Jalen Hurts and the Sooners do what they need to do to save their conference. Horns down. Sooners win 37-27.

Sam Atkinson: As an Arkansas Alumnus, I can’t ever pull for Texas, but I do feel the transfer Bama QB to OU will be too much for the Longhorns to handle. I don’t think OU will cover the 10.5-point spread but they will win 27-24 over Texas.

• #7 Florida @ #5 LSU
Sean Casey: Forget about the Red River Rivalry, this is the best game of the weekend. Both teams are undefeated, both in the top 10, and both need a win this weekend to stay on path to win the SEC and compete for a National Championship. Interestingly, this year LSU is the offensive team with a great passing game and Florida has a stifling, championship-caliber defense. A night game in Death Valley will be a slugfest. Florida pulls the upset, winning 34-31.

Todd Rudisill: The Gators are coming off a surprising double digit win at home against Auburn. I thought they were the Michigan of the SEC, which translates to being a fraud. I was wrong. Florida goes into Baton Rouge against an LSU offense that has lit it up week after week against a bunch of patsies, including Texas, whose secondary was banged up. The Gator defense will be the best they have seen all year, and will put the pressure on Burrow and force him into some turnovers. In the end, you have to think he makes more plays than a banged up Kyle Trask at night in Death Valley. You have to think Florida would be thrilled with going 1-1 against Auburn and LSU. Bayou Bengals win 31-21.

• Florida State @ #2 Clemson
Forrest Acuff: A few years ago, this would have been appointment television between these two powerhouses. Now you have to make sure to hide the children so they don’t have to witness this kind of violence. While Clemson has been struggling lately, I expect for them to roll over the Seminoles with ease.

• #24 Texas A&M @ #1 Alabama 
Jeb Joyce: Take all the money out of your bank account and put it on Alabama to cover the spread on this game (Don’t do this. Really, don’t. I mean it). I see Bama covering easy.

Todd Rudisill: This will be the third loss of the season for the $75 million coach and it certainly won’t be the last of the season. Did the Aggies pay $75 million for another 4 or 5 loss season Aggies? Yep. Bama rolls, 41-21.

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.