LITTLE ROCK — Unlikely to win their way into the CBS game of the week, the Razorbacks have a chance to get the network’s nod against Auburn and/or Mississippi State because of potential storylines and the lack of choices on one of those days.
Specifically, a career-influencing consult and a possible comeback are in play.
Sure, all SEC football games are televised but CBS pays $55 million per year for the pick of the litter and, in 2017, SEC on CBS was the highest-rated regular-season college football package for the ninth year in a row. In fact, the SEC Championship Game and Alabama vs. Auburn were the two most-watched college games other than the bowls and national championship game between Alabama and Georgia.
Usually, CBS focuses on contenders or, at least, teams perceived to be contenders. At this point, Arkansas is not expected to qualify, but if the Razorbacks take care of business vs. three non-conference opponents and the offense is up to speed literally, the relationship between Chad Morris and Auburn coach Gus Malzahn might persuade CBS to pick the Sept. 22 game.
Remember, less than two years ago, Morris said in an interview “I am where I am today because Gus Malzahn lent a helping hand.”
He explained that a friend told him about the high school coach in Northwest Arkansas who was running a fast-pace offense from opening kickoff to final gun. Also a high school coach at the time, Morris flew his offensive staff to Arkansas for two of Malzahn’s playoff games and, after the second trip, Malzahn shared nuances of his approach.
There are five other SEC games on Sept. 22 and, this time of year, Texas A&M at Alabama is the clubhouse leader.
CBS has few choices other than Arkansas at Mississippi State on Nov. 17.
The other two conference games are Ole Miss at Vanderbilt and Missouri at Tennessee, and the latter might be appealing if Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is having a bang-up year.
Otherwise, the status of Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is a potential hook. Supposedly, the presence of sophomore Keytaon Thompson will allow Fitzgerald, who suffered a gruesome injury vs. Ole Miss last year, to ease back into action. At this point, Fitzgerald is limited and his penchant for running — 357 carries for 2,359 yards the past two years — makes him particularly vulnerable.
If Fitzgerald gets back to full speed in late September or so, he could be making a case for All-SEC by late November.
Expect the first three weeks of the SEC TV scheduled to be announced by the end of May, as well as a decision on moving Arkansas-Missouri to Black Friday.
A guess on CBS’ other choices:
—Sept. 8, Georgia at South Carolina, one of only two conference games that day matches East Division favorites, both with established quarterbacks.
—Sept. 15, LSU at Auburn, the teams expected to chase Alabama and only one other SEC game is available.
—Sept. 22, Texas A&M at Alabama, Jimbo Fisher’s introduction to the SEC will be even more significant if A&M beats Clemson in week two.
—Sept. 29, Florida at Mississippi State, revered in Starkville until he switched to Florida, Dan Mullen returns.
—Oct. 6, LSU at Florida, assuming the Gators won the previous week. If not, possibly Missouri at South Carolina.
—Oct. 13, Georgia at LSU for sure, maybe as part of a doubleheader with one of three East vs. West possibilities.
—Oct. 20, Arkansas and Missouri have non-conference games and four SEC teams are idle. A lukewarm endorsement of Alabama at Tennessee.
—Oct. 27, Florida-Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla., is almost a given on the CBS schedule.
—Nov. 3, Alabama at LSU is a CBS fixture and often part of a network doubleheader. Texas A&M at Auburn or Missouri at Florida should complete the network exacta. Arkansas is off this day.
—Nov. 10, Auburn at Georgia, an obvious choice considering Auburn’s victory when Georgia was No. 1 and the Bulldogs’ triumph in the SEC Championship Game.
—Nov. 17, Arkansas at Mississippi State, even though the Razorbacks are likely to be on the following Friday vs. Missouri.
—Nov. 24, Auburn at Alabama, duh.