Selected comments on the message boards at WholeHogSports.com:
Was Saturday’s 24-20 road loss to Kentucky really that bad?
holdenhogfield: What I heard from Clay Henry and other sound-minded people prior to the game was that Kentucky had better offensive and defensive lines than us. They were going to play a wide receiver at quarterback, but that wide receiver gave them their only touchdown against South Carolina. …And the game was at Kentucky on an emotional night (honoring the late Jared Lorenzen). … Still seems to me that we are very young, very thin and play like it …
generalhog: I think that’s a fairly good assessment. I’ve been saying for weeks that Chad Morris is the recipient of years of frustration and isn’t being given the length other coaches were to try to fix the situation.
mryanmelton: I’m not very confident at all in Morris at this point. But I’m baffled at the level of anger after this game. My only issue really with Morris was him waiting so long to make the quarterback change (from Nick Starkel to Ben Hicks).
razormac: Kentucky was not a good football team. They had lost three in a row and converted three of 34 third-down plays over that three-game span. … The game was for the taking ….
bobghog: Yes, it was that bad.
razorwill: Third game of the season that should have been a win. Neither the players nor the coaches know how to win.
MattJones: I don’t think it is that Arkansas lost that had everyone concerned after the game. It is how Arkansas lost that is rightfully questioned. It ranks up there with the Colorado State and Ole Miss games from last year in terms of letting a lead slip away. And it was another instance under Morris where the Razorbacks had a chance of winning at the end and couldn’t convert. Keep in mind that his 4-14 record includes a 1-7 record in one possession games. A different result in two or three of those games and the outlook on his tenure is a lot different…
On the defense’s performance Saturday
thehuntinhog: De’Jon Harris (said) “We were in position, we just didn’t make the stops.” Sounds like he thinks correct defenses were called but players didn’t make plays. Sounds like talent deficiency or position coach deficiency. I think it’s a bit of both but think we just don’t have the talent on defense that you really need to make plays.
generalhog: Or just youth and inexperience. Still isn’t an excuse not to make the play but we are laced with both on defense.
razormac: I did not notice that many missed tackles. I remember them running through holes and around the corner untouched.
vaham: You nailed it. On the two Kentucky QB touchdowns when he ran around their right end we were either lined up incorrectly or someone missed an assignment.
bikehog23: I didn’t understand why we didn’t decide to tackle No. 1 on every play. We seemed to lose sight of the fact that he was the spark that was going to keep them going in the second half and fourth quarter in particular.
What can turn things around?
coloradohog: Of course, there are many problems and many fixes required, but the last two plays when Arkansas had the ball trying to go ahead late in the game stood out to me (a sack and a the QB hit as he threw). … until we get some real offensive linemen … drives and games will finish like this.
Guyinhawaii: We knew going into the season that the OL was our weakest link. What is most surprising is how weak our defensive line has been. … Gosh, we need some miracles to turn around the program. And it all starts at the line of scrimmage.
Score prediction for Saturday’s home game against Auburn
ropedhog: As many as they want and if we score it will depend on when third string enters the game.
jacksonreid: 38-10 Auburn
dfarris: At this point I believe predicting scores is a ridiculous exercise and serves no useful purpose.
bobghog: I doubt if they pour it on as they might want to use back ups to give them game experience. I suspect the game will be over by halftime.
jrjdent: 48-3. Congrats Gus
hogbacker: Auburn 57, Hogs 13. Gus seems to like CCM so he may call the dogs off before they score 57. If we can hold Auburn to less than 27 points I will call that a victory for our defense, if our No. 1 & No. 2 QBs finish game injury free I’ll feel better about our O-line. we need something to be encouraged about.
white25: Aub 43,Ark 8. Suggestion from a fan: Simplify the game plan
lovemyhogsforever: Gus runs it up. Aub-62, Ark-10.
georgiahawg: They are rested and ready. Not sure we can score 23, but three field goals and a defensive TD help on this one. Aub 45, Ark 23.
razorwill: Name the score. The way Kentucky ran outside on us, Auburn will use that for sure. Their offense is no juggernaut, however their defense is. Will we finally do something unusual to try and win a game or are we still in the offense teaching mode? …Gus has no mercy and will run up the score. Auburn 48, Arkansas 13.
holdenhogfield: Cheaters 77, Hogs 3. Worst loss in program history. Gus pores it on the whole four quarters. And I’ll be there yelling the whole time, still love my Hogs!
jhawg: Auburn is not an impressive offensive football team. I think we play pretty well for a quarter or two at home. We have better playmakers than Auburn, but they are way more talented in the other areas, including the coaching staff. Auburn 45, Arkansas 24.
longtimehog: Auburn, a lot. Arkansas, a little.
armyhog: Auburn, all they want! Hogs, who knows! It won’t be pretty but I would like to see the Hogs compete and play hard.
sdhog: A lot of these predictions are exactly the same as the A&M game… mine included. Hope we’re wrong again and it’s actually close but… don’t think so. Gus Bus 48, Hoglettes 17.
Baumbastic_Hawg: I don’t make predictions, but I predict that I will be there for the entire game, along with some of my friends. I also predict that I know a few people who will either not attend or will leave early. Nevertheless, Go Hogs!
generalhog: 21-20, Arkansas. Always the optimist.
sacketthawg: 41-35, Hogs.
poochpunt: I will be there for the entire game with my daughters. They both will encourage me as we leave that someday they will be better. We lose 33 -20.
razormac: Go Hogs! Beat Auburn. That would sure heat up the Auburn message boards, losing to the Hogs coming off a bye week.