The summer of rankings and countdowns
At about this point in the summer, the salivating for football kicks into high gear. And, to quench that thirst, newspapers all over this country start to crank out different rankings, lists and countdowns.
The folks at RazorBloggers, for example, have done a fantastic job posting the top games of Arkansas’ 2007 season complete with video (I’m liking the South Carolina game, myself).
The Northwest Arkansas Times started a 12-part series previewing the Razorbacks’ upcoming football season. We started with Western Illinois Wednesday in our series dubbed “Feeling the Heat: Arkansas’ 12 Most Important Games.” We’re ranking the teams from least (No. 12) to most (No. 1) important based on several variables. We’ll be revealing a team in the list three times a week
You can vote to agree or disagree with each of our picks as they are unveiled by checking out our special “Feeling the Heat” section here on WholeHogSports.com
I’ll make sure to post some additional thoughts, including explanations by each Times writer as to why we picked that game in its spot as we continue along here in the blog as well.
We’d also like to hear from you below in our comments section as to what game(s) you think are the most/least important for the Hogs this season. Is it LSU? Alabama? Ole Miss? Auburn? Texas? Maybe even Tulsa? Let us know below and we’ll add your picks to our special section as well.
Fire away.
3 Responses to “The summer of rankings and countdowns”
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Hehe.. okay, here goes:
1. Alabama - Always important and the game will impact and determine SEC placement for both teams later on.
2. Florida - Can Arkansas somehow pull an upset and win this one? If so, BP may need a [mid] season raise.
3. Ole Miss - HDN is back in hogtown and a must win.
4. Kentucky, MSU and South Carolina [tie] - Are we talking road hogs? UA can win all three of these games, on the road. To do so would be tremendous and each game will likely be considered a “pick’em”.
7. Auburn - On the road, the Tigers may be the Razorbacks most difficult opponent. Gonna concede and write this one off.
8. LSU - If UA can somehow manage to get by Alabama and Florida, at home, LSU at the Rock gains [national] importance [and becomes more doable].
9. Texas - Although sheer arrogance does not allow HORN fans to admit it, UT is just another game. The SEC is a better conference and this game is far less important than ANY conference game.
10. Tulsa - With Malzahn back in town, another must win, which may have significant consequences late in the year.
11. ULM and Western Illinois [tie] Outta ink.
1. Alabama - Petrino’s first SEC game and a clear test as to whether preparation will meet execution. A good thing its home and probably a good thing as well that it will follow a loss in Austin.
2. Texas - C’mon folks. Its still about braggin’ rights. The Hogs will surprise and scare Texas. Mack Brown will be frustrated at the fact that his team cannot put Arkansas away convincingly. I’m betting a 10 pt. or less victory for the Horns.
3. Ole Miss - Vindication for those of us who never believed that Nutt was talented at preparing a team to win. Petrino will outcoach Nutt as do most of the SEC coaches. A win of 14 points or more.
4. LSU - Thank goodness this is at the end of the season. It will be a true indication of what’s to come in year two of the Petrino era.
5. Florida - Probably Urban Meyer’s last opportunity to not have to look over his shoulder at Arkansas.
6. South Carolina - Spurrier arrogance against Petrino’s business style. Will be a fun chess game to watch.
7. Auburn - Are the fences mended between Petrino and Tuberville? Who cares. Part of two back-to-back, formidable road tests.
8. Kentucky - A victory against the Cats or Auburn would mark a successful stint on the road in the second half of the season.
9. Miss St. - Probably Croom’s only chance at a victory against Arkansas will be this year as Petrino reloads the program.
10. - 12. Tulsa, W. Illinois and La-Monroe - Out of conference ho-hummers. In spite of Malzahn’s presence on the Golden Hurricane sideline, these games still represent the dull part of the schedule.
12. West Illinois
11. LA-Monroe
10. Tulsa
9. Mississippi State
8. Kentucky
7. South Carolina
6. Florida
5. Texas
4. Ole Miss
3. Auburn
2. Alabama
1. LSU