Tusk to Tail: Will the Rattler be a problem for the Hogs?

THE QUESTION
Which 4 teams do you think will make the College Football Playoff?

Todd: Our way too early College Football Playoff (CFP) predictions after week one are Georgia, Alabama, Clemson, and the winner of Ohio State vs. Michigan. All of this is subject to change, and will 11 times.

David: Well, we know Cincinnati is out! You probably won’t see another Group of Five team make the CFP in the current 4-team format. The Big XII might struggle to get a team this year, too. It seems premature to trust the PAC 12, but USC could possibly slip into the mix. Let’s say the Trojans make it along with Clemson, Ohio State, and SEC Champion Alabama.

THE GAMES
South Carolina @ #16 Arkansas
Sean: This game is trouble for the Hogs. You may not like him, and you’ll hear how he underperformed at Oklahoma, but Spencer Rattler would have connected on those passes Cincy overthrew last week. The Hogs will be in a battle, and they need to control the line of scrimmage and time of possession. Arkansas does both of those things and comes out ahead 28-24.

Sam: Both teams won in Week 1, but the Hogs faced much better competition with a ranked team. The line is Hogs by 8, but I feel like we win by 10. Hogs 24 to 14 over South Carolina

Todd: The most exciting thing about the Hogs’ first ever Top 25 season opening win? That last 5:49. On 3rd and 9 at their own 26, KJ ran 14 yards for a first down. Again on 3rd and 2 with 2:22 left. First down. In past seasons we would not pick those up, give the ball over, and hold our breath. Arkansas looks like they lost defensive backs Jalen Catalon and Myles Slusher for the SEC opener against the Gamecocks. Cincy took advantage of that in the second half, and South Carolina will look to do the same. Spencer Rattler had a lot of misses last week, but will look to take advantage with two of our best possibly out. The key is the D-Line getting in the backfield and “rattling” Rattler. Georgia State did it, and the Hogs can do the same. The Razorbacks’ offensive line should lay into the Carolina defense, feeding three of the SEC’s best running backs Rocket Sanders, AJ Green, and Dominique Johnson, who is likely to return. The Cocks blocked two kicks last week for scores, and Arkansas can’t let that happen. It’s going to a nail biter most of the way. Ultimately the Hogs wear them down to win 31-21.

#1 Alabama @ Texas
Sam: With Bama a 20-point favorite, I think Texas will make it interesting in the first half. Bama will make more adjustments in the second half to cover the points. Bama wins 47-17.

Todd: Who the hell scheduled this game at 11 a.m.? Does Texas have any realistic shot to win this game? No, but they will hit a few big plays here and there. Bama will shut down Bijan Robinson just like the Hogs did last year. Bama will get their running game going downhill and expose the Horns once again for their traditional soft ‘D’. Texas is not back. Again. The Tide rolls 43-20.

#24 Tennessee @ #17 Pittsburgh
Sean: Will Tennessee pull a Tennessee or actually show up in a big game? Of the two teams, I thought the Vols looked better and more physical in week 1. Both teams look to score on Saturday but Tennessee goes to Pittsburgh and comes out with the W. Tennessee 45-38

#20 Kentucky @ #12 Florida
Sam: Florida is a 5-point favorite and both teams enjoyed a good offensive ballgame last week. I believe the Gators enjoy the home field to pull out a close game. Florida wins 28 to 24 over Kentucky.

Todd: The Cats are 2-2 against the Gators the last 4 seasons. Kentucky is still without their star RB Chris Rodriguez, and Florida is riding high with new star Anthony Richardson. Richardson was fantastic last week in the upset of #7 Utah. Wildcats QB Will Levis had his own breakout game, throwing for over 300 yards last week. This will be a back-and-forth affair and come down to which star QB makes the play to win it in the 4th. Don’t forget Kentucky is a football school now. Gators 30-27 in The Swamp.

#10 USC @ Stanford
Sean: I’m not sure we could tell much from either team last week. Both easily outmanned their opponents in the season openers. My gut says Lincoln Riley knows what he was doing leaving Sooner Nation for SoCal. USC is going to go off on Stanford and win 45 to 21.

#9 Baylor @ #21 BYU
Sam: Only a 3-point margin for BYU from the odds makers, so it must be a pick-em with BYU getting the nod since they are the home team. Both teams can score a lot of points, but the thin air may hamper Baylor some. I’m going with BYU 33 to 30 over Baylor.

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