There was a reminder this week from a friend about a family living week to week because of lost work hours due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No one in my family is in that situation, thankfully. But I do recall my start in the newspaper business in 1977. My weekly check at the Log Cabin Democrat — and I think this was take home pay — was $98. No doubt, I was living week to week.
I was single, lived in a house with two roommates and got by. Actually, I don’t recall difficulty. Maybe it was a simpler life. There was no cable bill, no cell phone bill. I could cover games in Faulkner County in my Chevy Nova for about $5 a week in gas.
I followed John Brummett as the Sports Editor at the Log Cabin. He was promoted to City Editor. We were in constant communication as I learned the beat.
As the first Christmas at the paper approached, Brummett hinted that there might be a Christmas bonus, a coupon for $25 at a grocery store in downtown Conway that was the paper’s biggest advertiser. I considered it to be more than generous.
Brummett, also single, had an idea on how to spend the coupon.
“After work today, let’s drive to North Little Rock,” he said. “There is another store in that chain and it sells beer.”
Of course, Faulkner County was dry. I decided that was not a good idea and talked Brummett out of it.
Also, we promised not to let our co-workers — many with families and on tight budgets — know that we even considered such a silly way to spend a much needed bonus. We both stocked up on groceries.
I’ve kept that to myself until now. Sorry, John, but I can’t hold it any longer. You should take some ridicule for even thinking about using a Christmas bonus for beer.
Why this now? It’s the first thing I thought about when the week-to-week theme popped up. Week to week is the way to think about this college football season.
When we first entered the coronavirus pandemic in March, it became obvious that plans could only be made in two-week increments and most were likely to be discarded after just one week.
Fast forward to football season, it’s tough to know who is going to play games two weeks down the road. For sure, you can’t predict a starting lineup. Pregame is spent checking a complete roster to know options. It’s week to week.
It’s always been a part of the pregame check to see who has all of their quarterbacks. It’s been a more detailed check this year.
That process has proven more important the last two games. I’ve learned how many have my cell number. The text alerts sound like when you forget to buckle your seat belt. Ding, ding, ding.
Too many not at the game know that’s exactly what I’m doing 45 minutes from kickoff: checking the roster.
Of course, there were constant texts last week when word began to leak that quarterback Feleipe Franks was doubtful with injured ribs. Is Franks there? Is he throwing? Might he play? Yes, yes and yes.
But it became more doubtful as the warmups began in the north end zone of Faurot Field.
There was offensive coordinator Kendal Briles playing catch with Franks. They started out 15 yards apart, then stretched out their throws to 25 yards, almost to the limit of what the UA quarterbacks coach could throw. Franks never reached top velocity.
That’s when you knew it probably wasn’t going to happen for Franks against Missouri.
Franks may play this week, although there is suspicion that the Hogs would be better served getting KJ Jefferson valuable experience if he is the likely quarterback for 2021.
That gets us to the crux of the matter: Is playing against No. 1 Alabama experience, or is it punishment?
For sure, the battered and depleted Hogs want to play the game. This Sam Pittman quote is pulled from after the Mississippi State game when the Hogs took only 67 on the plane trip — three less than the SEC travel limit — to earn their first SEC victory in 21 tries.
“All we have,” the Arkansas coach said, “is all we need.”
That line has been repeated as the Hogs have lost players — either due to covid-19 testing or injuries — throughout the 3-6 season. The constant refrain, no matter who steps on the field, they play hard.
They may have been outmanned against LSU when most of the defensive line sat out because of covid, but they battled. It may not have looked like it in the fourth quarter at Missouri when injuries reduced the defensive manpower again, but there was effort then, too.
This is what Pittman said after the victory at Starkville and it’s fit all year.
“Our kids do play hard,” Pittman said. “We had a lot of guys go down, but the next man stepped in. I’m hard on them, but I love them. It’s fun to see them play.”
That’s how it must be against the Crimson Tide. The Hogs will be shorthanded against a team that never seems to be shorthanded because of incredible recruiting and the best depth in the nation.
This Arkansas team should not have a chance against Alabama. Probably no one believes there is a chance, but I expect the Hogs think they have a chance.
A gift from David Cottrell came in the mail this week that emphasizes what belief means. Cottrell sent me the newest book from sports psychologist David Cook, the man who wrote Seven Days in Utopia: Golf’s Sacred Journey.
This one is titled simply: Greatness. The cover is blank except for that word in tiny type, in all lowercase. It’s to represent a servant’s attitude. As Cook writes, most books feature a title in huge type to grab attention.
Its simplicity is awesome. It’s that same feeling Pittman exudes. His words sound simple, but always correct.
Cook’s read about how teams come together for greatness is scattered throughout what is a fantastic read. He worked with Larry Brown during the Kansas run to the NCAA basketball title in 1988. He was the psychologist for the San Antonio Spurs during their run to NBA titles.
Many of his clients on the PGA Tour used his methods to see, feel and trust, and, of course, win. It’s common to see SFT written on the golf balls when TV cameras provide tight shots.
One of Cook’s chapters details many of the different ways coaches get their players to excel. It can be the love that allows a coach to push a player beyond limits. It can be the way a coach turns work into fun. Cook has examples of NCAA champions where those were common themes.
As I read the book — all in one evening — it was clear I was reading about the way Pittman coaches. There were striking examples that mirror what players like Frank Ragnow told about Pittman in the past and current players have confirmed.
Pittman gives players confidence to work harder and lift their performances in the weight room, in practice or in games. We have seen through this season.
It’s doing it week to week against one of the toughest schedules of 10 SEC foes that have ever been assigned an Arkansas team. That’s all Pittman has asked of his players, just to work and strain week to week. And, he probably breaks it down day to day, and one play after another.
That’s where I’ll start this week’s keys to victory, that process of playing one play at a time and having fun in the process.
Keep it Simple (Stupid)
Yes, the KISS formula does work. It was not in Cook’s book, but I know it all too well. That’s how I’ve kept Hawgs Illustrated alive. This week’s issue completes Volume 29.
Focus is one of the principles in Cook’s book. In other words, he said, “Where do you want to go?”
The Hogs knew where they had been. They were eager to follow someone who knew the path to victory. Pittman’s plan is to focus on belief.
Redshirt safety Jalen Catalon, named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back, put it in simple terms when asked about Pittman’s leadership.
“We bought in from the day he stepped into the room,” Catalon said. “The mentality changed. We went into every game believing and thinking we could win.
“We are not done yet. We’ve gotta play this game and come out on top.”
Passion
It’s one of the areas that tell us who will play well each week. You either have it or you don’t and it’s sometimes clear at the outset. The one question I’ve always asked: Who has their stinger?
Obviously, you want to play hard every week, but there are certain games that produce magical effort. There are some foes that catch your attention. Some say it’s two times a season.
For Alabama, it’s clear that those two teams that hold their attention are Auburn and LSU. Interestingly, the SEC schedule makers — despite doing them no favors by pulling out of the hat Georgia and Florida — did give the Hogs one break.
This mind-blowing shuffle at the end because of covid-19 gave the Hogs a shot at Alabama after its two most hated rivals.
Alabama will play hard, but perhaps the focus will be less than what it’s been the previous two weeks when it swamped Auburn and LSU. That is a break, although maybe only a tiny crack.
Cook’s definition of passion: How badly do you want to get there?
Mental Toughness
Surprisingly, the Hogs did not have that despite playing hard at Missouri. Can they get it back this week?
Penalties were the common theme throughout the game at Columbia. The Hogs had committed few defensive penalties this season, but they helped the Tigers at the outset on drives that led to a 10-0 deficit.
Pittman said afterward that the problem was coaching and promised to correct the issue of penalties this week in practice. I thought a couple of the penalties were poor decisions by the referees, but some were correct and easy.
Cook writes about mental toughness in this way: Do you have the mental skills needed to handle the adversity along the journey?
That’s it in a nutshell for the Hogs. What a journey it’s been this year, not just for Arkansas, but also for our entire world. We all need toughness now.
My common signature in texts, emails and in phone conversations this year has been a consistent, “Hang tough.”
Selflessness
That’s the final chapter in Cook’s book, what he calls the Final Frontier. It’s actually contained in something I’ve never seen, a sealed chapter.
Since each reader with his own personally signed copy from Cook gets to make the decision on whether to unseal that chapter, I’ll stop short of delivering his clincher.
You have to choose to go there. It reminded me of the Star Trek shows I watched in college in a giant TV room in Hotz Hall on the UA campus. Do you want to go there?
It’s about the only way a team comes together. I’ve heard enough interviews from Catalon and other team leaders that it’s clear this Arkansas team has that characteristic.
OK, enough of this deep stuff. It’s time to break down some obvious keys.
Physical Strain
This is a key each week. The Hogs may have lost that at the end against Missouri, especially on defense.
That’s what Pittman said was the culprit, although injuries looked more of the problem.
The Hogs have to strain at the line of scrimmage to hold up against the most physical team in college football. No one hits more days in practice than Alabama.
Mississippi State coach Mike Leach pointed to the way the Hogs strained play after play as the key to that Arkansas victory. He said the Hogs outplayed the Bulldogs and “put play after play together better than we did.”
Can the Hogs do that against Alabama? It sounds like an impossible task, but that’s the key to this game. The Hogs have to win more than a few plays at the line of scrimmage.
O-Line Play
This is similar to the previous key, but deserves special mention because of the best summary from Pittman this week. During the SEC teleconference Pittman’s opening summary was simple.
“We are looking forward to playing the best team in the country,” Pittman said, “so explosive on offense and with a big powerful offensive line, as good as I’ve seen in college football.”
Later, Pittman was asked if he had Heisman Trophy ballot, what would be the name on top.
“I don’t think they are going to ask a first-year coach who had been an O-line coach to do it,” he said. “But I’d vote the entire Alabama offensive line.”
It’s an incredible Bama blocking unit. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian knows how to utilize his weapons, but it starts with superb blocking.
Left tackle Alex Leatherwood will probably be a unanimous All-America. Center Landon Dickerson will likely win the Rimington Award for the nation’s best at that position. Right tackle Evan Neal might make All-America in some seasons, but Alabama is not going to get three on an all-star team.
There are times the Tide brings a sixth O-linemen onto the field to play an unbalanced, heavy front that is devastating. That’s almost a blessing because the defense knows a pass to wide receiver DeVonta Smith is less likely.
The issue for the Hogs is how to get off blocks to stop the run. Linebacker Grant Morgan, the nation’s top tackler with 111, is out with a knee ligament injury. He’s the best I’ve seen at slipping blocks and slithering through tight spots to make a tackle.
The Hogs gave up 292 yards on 21 plays in the fourth quarter at Missouri after Morgan left. Can they somehow find a solution to his absence this week be it a player or a scheme adjustment?
Pittman said the Hogs have capable replacements, but they didn’t play well in Morgan’s absence at Missouri. Pittman named Andrew Parker, Hayden Henry and Jackson Woodard as the possible choices. Henry has played mostly on the outside, but is a fierce competitor.
The thought that Woodard might be an option is interesting. Of that bunch, he has seemed the best at getting off blockers in limited chances this season. He’s a true freshman walk-on from Little Rock Christian where he made 153 tackles as a senior.
Slow DeVonta Smith
No one has done that much. LSU put Darryl Stingley on Smith last week and the results were humiliation. Stingley was a first team All-America last year, but Smith dashed his hopes with a massive game.
Smith has 80 catches for 1,305 yards and 15 touchdowns. He had eight catches for 231 yards and three TDs against Stingley.
It’s been a spectacular Alabama career for Smith. He’s third on the school charts with 198 catches. He could catch Amari Cooper (228) and Calvin Ridley (224) if Alabama runs the table and plays four more games.
How do the Hogs stop Smith? Walk-on cornerback Hudson Clark is the healthiest of the UA cornerbacks, but not a good matchup because of speed. Montaric Brown didn’t finish the Missouri game because of injury and backups Malik Chavis and Khari Johnson haven’t always been available.
The Hogs put Catalon at cornerback during the fourth quarter against Missouri, but that moved their best tackling safety out of the back end. There just were not many options at cornerback.
Mac Jones
Since the season opener against Georgia when the Hogs got a break with struggles at that position from the opposition, the opposing quarterback has been tough almost every week. It gets tougher this week against Alabama’s Mac Jones.
The Hogs made KJ Costello and Matt Corral look bad while beating Mississippi State and Ole Miss, and Tennessee is void at that position. The Hogs befuddled Bo Nix enough that they should have won the Auburn game, too.
Otherwise, quarterbacks have made the right decisions against Barry Odom’s scheme and adjustments. It won’t be easy to confuse Jones.
It helps to play with All-Americans at almost every position, but Jones has been almost flawless. He’s completed 75.7% of his passes to jump into the Heisman talk with Florida’s Kyle Trask.
Jones has thrown for 3,113 yards and 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions in 255 passing attempts.
“He doesn’t throw to the other team,” Pittman said. “He manages the game. He’s a winner. You get that he has great feel when you watch the tape. He gets the ball out quickly and runs that offense. He is an epitome of a team leader. He’s what everyone would like to have at quarterback. He gives his team energy.”
Feleipe Franks or KJ Jefferson?
The Hogs could play both at quarterback. Franks has rib injuries, along with other bumps and issues. He tried to warm up twice at Missouri, but was unable to play. They have split time with the first team this week in practice.
Pittman said if Franks can go, Jefferson will start. But, he admits that both could play.
Jefferson completed 18 of 33 for 274 yards against Missouri, the third-best passing day by the UA offense this season. Franks threw for 318 against Auburn and 339 vs. LSU.
“Franks has practiced and we will see how he feels (in pregame),” Pittman said. “He’s done a nice job, but he’s not 100%. There is potential to play both, yes.”
Arkansas players say it doesn’t matter, both are capable of leading a victory. Catalon said he’s seen the growth in Jefferson as the under study to Franks.
“I’ve seen KJ from the get-go,” Catalon said of his fellow redshirt freshman. “He looks up to Feleipe and makes sure he’s always next to him.”
Stop the Run
The Tide can and will throw often and early, but the offense features one of the nation’s top running games. Running back Najee Harris has 1,038 yards and 20 TDs. He averages 6.1 per carry. The backup runners are good, too.
Catalon said it’s a matter of everyone on the defense wanting to make the play.
“It’s the mentality, all it comes down to, who wants to lay it down,” Catalon said. “All of Alabama’s backs are physical. They are top tier backs. You have to have the mentality (in the secondary) that you come down and stop them.”
Move the Ball
The mission is always to out score the other team and that’s what this game might come down to, just like last week. The offense might have to outscore the Tide.
Can an offensive line that has grown by leaps and bounds take another step up against a solid Alabama defense?
Left tackle Myron Cunningham, named a team captain last week, has been the cornerstone of an O-line that has blocked well over the last half of the season, except for against LSU. There have been holes on the left side where guard Brady Latham has meshed with Cunningham.
The Hogs rushed for 292 on 52 runs last week to finally make some headway in the time of possession battle. Cunningham said the Hogs almost hit the team goal.
“It was probably our best performance,” Cunningham said. “It was especially in the run and we almost hit 300, our goal. We are getting closer.
“As far as Alabama, I think we match up well. It should be a fun game.”
The Hogs have to contain linebackers Christian Harris and Dylan Moses. End Christian Barmore is an NFL prospect, but the real chore will be to block outside linebacker Will Anderson, a true freshman who stuffed LSU’s best tackle last week in Baton Rouge.
Fun Matchup
If there is one head-to-head battle that will be worth the price of admission it’s when Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II is assigned Arkansas flanker Treylon Burks.
Burks has 49 catches for 804 yards. He made 10 catches for 206 yards against Missouri.
Surtain is the nation’s best cover corner. He would deserve Heisman votes, although they rarely go to defensive players. He plays physical at the line of scrimmage and battles for every inch with his hands in what borders on pass interference. He likely will ask to cover Burks.
If Surtain can handle Burks without safety help, it will free the rest of the Tide secondary to concentrate on stopping the run, something Missouri couldn’t do last week. The Tigers bracketed Burks with safety help, but still couldn’t stop him.