LITTLE ROCK — Unwilling to sit through seven hours of “who cares” bowl games just to scout two of Arkansas’ non-conference opponents in 2018, the quarterbacks involved made it easy to choose North Texas and pass on Colorado State when they play back-to-back on Saturday.
Sophomore Mason Fine will throw the ball all over when the Mean Green visits Fayetteville on Sept. 15, 2018; senior Nick Stevens will not be around for the Rams’ home game against Arkansas on Sept. 8.
A heads up on Fine: During a 9-4 season he completed almost 65 percent of 457 passes for 3,749 yards and 28 touchdowns, and should be productive against the Razorbacks unless the Arkansas pass rush improves.
For Arkansas fans, at least there is some curiosity about personnel at North Texas and Colorado State vs. a familiarity with the other six bowl teams on the 2018 schedule. Five are from the SEC West and the other is Missouri, the Razorbacks’ permanent opponent from the SEC East.
For sure, Arkansas fans have already seen enough of four underclass quarterbacks involved. Ponder their stats vs. the Razorbacks:
—Drew Lock, Missouri, 41 of 68 for 716 yards and six touchdowns in two games.
—Jalen Hurts, Alabama, 25 of 36 for 404 yards and three touchdowns in two games.
—Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State, 481 passing, 232 rushing, and nine touchdowns in two games.
—Jarrett Stidham, Auburn, 19 of 28 for 218 yards, and 49 yards rushing in one game.
All told, the quartet’s only loss was Arkansas 58, Mississippi State 42 in 2016.
Besides the four quarterbacks, there are storylines worth checking out:
—Dec. 27, Missouri vs. Texas: After his defense gave up 210 points in five straight losses, Missouri coach Barry Odom rallied his troops to win six in a row, received a two-year contract extension, and is looking for an offensive coordinator to replace Josh Heupel, who was named head coach at Central Florida. At the top of the OC’s list of available assets is Lock, who set an SEC record with 43 touchdown passes and who is still learning to put some arc on his deep throws.
—Dec. 29, Texas A&M vs. Wake Forest: From a scouting perspective, this might be the one must-see game for Arkansas fans. Injured in the 2017 opener, Nick Starkel did not play again until late October and Kellen Mond was the quarterback vs. Arkansas. In his last five games, Starkel threw 10 touchdown passes.
Meanwhile, new A&M coach Joach Jimbo Fisher describes himself as an observer for the bowl.
—Dec. 30, Mississippi State vs. Louisville: New MSU coach Joe Moorhead and his new staff will be watching and taking notes during practice, but will not participate in the game plan “…because I haven’t earned it,” Moorhead said. Freshman Keytaon Thompson replaces Fitzgerald, who suffered an ankle injury in the season finale vs. Ole Miss.
—Jan. 1, LSU vs. Notre Dame: Citing loyalty to teammates, running back Derius Guice surprised when he said he would participate in the bowl, unlike his predecessor Leonard Fournette. Just as surprising, Guice also hinted he might not leave early for the NFL draft as Fournette did.
—Jan. 1, Auburn vs. UCF: Another possible opportunity to watch with 2018 in mind. Running back Kerryon Johnson is questionable and backup Kamryn Pettway is out. They totaled 32 carries vs. Arkansas this year. Kam Martin had one attempt for four yards and Stidham can’t carry the offense alone.
—Jan. 1, Alabama vs. Clemson: SEC vs. ACC. In the past few years, Clemson has emerged as one of the few teams in the country as physical as Alabama. For a lesson in fundamentals, count the number of textbook tackles. The winner will be favored in the national title game against the winner of the Rose Bowl between Oklahoma and Georgia.