Tuesday Question - 10/20/09

by Ivory Tower on Oct 20, 2009 1:01 PM EDT

Generally, we are the "authors" of "content" around here - "here" being a blog and not a message board. Recognize, we do, that you've come here not to contribute, but to consume. Nevertheless, there is the sporadic occasion where, either for our benefit or for to exercise the thinkifiers of the masses, we ask you a question. Today's question is ...

Is the Arkansas / Ole Miss game a "pivot" game?

For the second season in a row, Ole Miss enters its game against Arkansas with a one-game advantage in the overall ledger. This year, however, there is a legitimate argument that the Hawgs - boasting close losses to Georgia and Florida and a win over Auburn - have the more impressive resume. At the very least, everyone knows what they are going to get out of Arkansas. Ole Miss has exhibited all the rational consistency of one of those pre-teen girl hormono-summits, falling perilously into the subject of "boys," that common parlance has dubbed a "sleepover." But, Jevan Snead does not have any emotional issues. He has always mistaken feet for hands.

In 2008, a controversial pass interference call secured the win for the Rebels, and no subsequent fourth quarter had even half the drama of the one played in Fayetteville. Arkansas, meanwhile, went 2-2 down the stretch, including a loss to Mississippi State. Will 2009 set these teams on course for their destiny? With a win over the Rebels, the four-win Razorbacks would be staring down a five-game stretch that includes four at home. A loss for the Rebels, meanwhile, drops the season ledger to 4-3, which could quickly turn into 4-4 with a trip to Auburn.

To crystallize the question - is the season pretty well made for the team that wins and pretty well over for the team that loses?

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I can't say for Arkansas.

For us, though, I think a win gives us a chance to still have a very good season.
Auburn doesn’t look as good as they did after there 5-0 start with that loss to KY.
Then we’re on our home stretch with the warm up game vs UNA before UT and LSU.
So I do think it is a Pivot game for us.

Jevan Snead doesn’t have any emotional problems, what you mean besides pacifism?

by Thile on Oct 20, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

I dabbled a little in pacifism myself.

Not in ’Nam, of course.

by Rebels7 on Oct 20, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

If Arkansas wins, then yes,

but only for the fans. The season will have been made for Arkansas fans because their psychotic obsession with Houston Nutt will give them a weeks-long victory boner. On the other side of that coin, the season will have been ended for Ole Miss fans because, for most of ’em, it already has.

We both have some pretty pathetic fan bases, when all things are considered.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Oct 20, 2009 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Yes and No.

If we lose this game, we’re fucked, but a win won’t guarantee a good season.

Pig Pen this here's Rubber Duck, and I'm about to put the hammer down.

by JimHalpert on Oct 20, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Putting aside Houston

It’s a big game for the hogs in that a win would pretty much guarantee bowl eligibility and a winning season (7-5 or 8-4 depending on how lucky we are) – which would be on par with our expectations for the season.

Also , it will be good to see how resilient we are. I’m pretty worried we left it all on the field in Gainesville.

by trip andrews on Oct 20, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

That is my only concern for this one.

Our team is talented, but still very young. If they did leave it all in Gainsville, we could be in for some trouble.
I would like to think the Florida game was something big this team could on. Confidence is very important, especially on the road.
I don’t believe the young Hogs will be intimidated in the least going into Oxford come Saturday, but will they be somewhat emotionally drained? maybe.
They’ve gotten better, primarily on defense, for 3 games in a row now. I hope they can make it 4. If they do, I already know what the outcome will be.

Christopher Martin Gonzalez

by GonzoHog on Oct 20, 2009 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

here's one Hog fan's perspective

I agree with the general premise that this game could be a turning point for both teams. Obviously Ole MIss has disappointed so far, but a win here and they’d be in good shape to finish strong and salvage the season…as I’m sure you all know, the Rebels didn’t really kick things into gear until about this time last year.

For the Hogs, a win here would help send us into the “easy” part of the schedule with a lot of momentum, much like Ole Miss’ win last year helped you guys. The big question for us, like Gonzo said above, is how will we respond to the Florida loss. If the players are still bummed out and can’t bring their A games then we’re screwed, b/c I have a feeling you guys will play your best game of the year against us…Nutt is the master of these “back against the wall” situations. If we bring the defense like we did against the Gators and Mallett can hit a few more open guys than he did last week then I like our chances.

I think it’ll be a tough, close game either way. Should be a fun one.

(watch for more astute analysis over at ArkansasExpats.com <—-gratuitous plug)

by John Expat on Oct 20, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions