calling_the_hogs Wrote:Everyone around here, and in Austin too, think the factors in the game will be the running game, and the line play. The Whorns weakness is mainly in the OL, where only 1 starter returned, while our weakness is the DL for the same reason. We have to shut down Cedric Benson and the running game and force Chance Mock to throw the football. If we stuff the run, we can allow the LBs to help cover the secondary, and that'll help us out big time.

I think the running game is safe for us right now. With Big Shawn paving the way for Cobbs, we should be fine. Cobbs looked like an all-star last week against Tulsa (SEC Offensive Player of the Week), and the last time we played the Whorns, Cobbs burned 'em. My guess is that Texas will put 9 in the box, similar to what UGA did last year, and force Matt Jones to throw the ball. The big key we'll see is how Roy Wittke's new offensive scheme works against a big time opponent.

I figured the line would've been somewhere around +8 or +9 for us. +13 is a little surprising.

Although you can't say emotion is a factor, in this case, it is. While Mack Brown is trying to pump up their squad, the Texas players seem to think this is just another game. That's not the case here...every citizen in this state has had this date circled for years. Houston Nutt, unlike Mack Brown, played in this rivalry, and knows the importance of beating Tex-****** The players know it too...especially last weekend when they came to the student section to sing the fight song. Instead of the usual racuous cheers, they were greeted by the chant "We Want Texas!" and thousands of hands showing the 'down-horns' sign. This game is big enough for Frank Broyles to open up Razorback Stadium and let people watch it for free on the Jumbotron. It's that big to us.

All in all, it's a toss up. Most of the national media think it'll be close, with Tex-a$$ pulling away in the end due to depth. I say we gotta shot if we play our game, control the clock, and are within striking distance, tied, or ahead after 3 quarters. I don't expect it to be a blowout, and if I had no bias in this game, I'd still take Arkansas spread-wise.

WPS