Hog Calls

Razorbacks want to stop Tigers cold

Arkansas linebacker Brooks Ellis tackles LSU running back Jeremy Hill during a game Friday, Nov. 29, 2013 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.

FAYETTEVILLE -- By now many wearied Arkansas fans reason it will take a cold night in hell for the Razorbacks to snap their SEC skid.

Well, if that's what it takes, it seems that's what the Razorbacks will get tonight.

Temperatures in the 20s and possible snow have been the weeklong Fayetteville forecast for a frigidly hellish SEC West game dictated by ESPN2 for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Reynolds Razorback Stadium between Arkansas (4-5, 0-5) and No. 17 LSU (7-3, 3-3).

The Razorbacks have weathered all sorts of weather since their 17-game SEC losing streak began Oct. 27, 2012, against Ole Miss in Little Rock, but nothing as cold or as nasty as what is projected for tonight.

The meteorological misery contributes in part to the unranked Razorbacks being picked by a point or two all week on the Las Vegas betting lines.

Other contributing factors on Arkansas' side include that the game is being played in Fayetteville and that the Hogs have been knocking hard at the SEC door, losing 14-13 to Alabama in Fayetteville and taking No. 1 Mississippi State down to the wire before losing 17-10 in Starkville, Miss.

Arkansas' recent bye week also seems a favorable scheduling contrast with what besets LSU tonight. The Tigers lost a 20-13 gut-wrencher in overtime to Alabama last Saturday in Baton Rouge.

The Tigers still had a shot to tie for best in the SEC West before the loss to Alabama. Now they are doomed to a second-tier bowl, which could be deflating for them but a prime motivator for these Hogs who are striving to achieve following two losing seasons.

The Tigers travel from their accustomed hot and humid bayou into the Ozarks cold that Arkansas has practiced in all week. Coach Bret Bielema also has instructed his team and Razorbacks fans to "embrace" the conditions.

In 41 years covering the Razorbacks, two weather-related games particularly stand out in contrast despite the same opposing coach.

Against Ken Hatfield's 1984 Razorbacks in a 35-degree November homecoming rain in Fayetteville, Jackie Sherrill's Texas A&M Aggies warmed up like a team ready for a hot shower and a ride to the airport. They played like it, losing 28-0.

In 2000, in even worse conditions that included sleet in Starkville, Miss., Sherrill's Bulldogs and Houston Nutt's Razorbacks ignored the elements and battled savagely. Neither gave an inch before Arkansas prevailed 17-10 in overtime.

Odds makers apparently think Les Miles' Tigers will struggle warming up to the cold, but "the Mad Hatter" is as well-known for his masterful motivation skills as he is for his grass-eating eccentrics.

"I think our guys would look forward to playing in a cold-weather game," Miles said. "If they are not looking forward to it, they need to get that in their mind because there is a great chance that will happen."

Sports on 11/15/2014