Changing Lives for Good

National Signing Day - One my favorite times of the year

National signing day.

The day when high school students can sign their Letters of Intent to play a scholarship sport at a university. The day their dreams take a step closer to coming true. It's an inspiring day for them and for that reason it's one of my favorite times of the year. There's usually some drama unfolding as highly ranked athletes let this be a time for the spotlight to focus on them as they unveil their college of choice.

On the other side of the equation are all the loyal fans of their particular university pinning the hopes of the future on the decisions of 17 and 18 year old kids. These fans either erupt either in disdain or joy. And there are always those who are estatic over the recruiting class and those who are disappointed as well.

As a Razorback, I'm guilty. I want to know when the star DE has faxed in his LOI. Will the star DL flip to my school as the rumors suggest. And at the end of the day what will we have coming to the Hill to help the Razorbacks in their quest for a SEC and National Championship? 

The reality of the situation is that every class is going to have grade casualties. Some guys that show up highly rated will flame out  while some lower ranked prospects will become stars and move on to the NFL. Some recruits won't work out and will transfer to seemingly greener grass. Others will transfer in to the seemingly greener grass. And then there's the stark reality that the majority of every class needs to redshirt and any real help they'll offer is two to three years down the road. But none of that stops the fans from overreacting and ESPN over promoting. And then there's the rankings and evaluations of every class.

This year Arkansas had a good defensive class and more drama than usual late in the process. A couple of guys from this class will see the field this year. (Thankfully fewer than the past few years when we've played double digits of freshman because the talent gap was that great.) A couple still need to make their grades and I hope they put the work in to make sure they play with Hogs on their helmet this coming year.

It's a guilty pleasure and one that honestly has no bearing on eternity... but it's fun. Kind of like sports and entertainment all together. I'll enjoy it but I can't take it too seriously. But all the more I have to say

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

PIG

SOOOOOOOOOOOIEE!!

Ah.. now that felt good.

Great game! Congrats Gator Nation!

Congratulations to the Florida Gators for claiming the National Championship by beating the Oklahoma Sooners. It was a great game and I'd propose that the difference wasn't just Tim Tebow or Percy Harvin. The difference was the Florida red zone defense. WOW. To stuff the Sooners twice was amazing, the blocked field goal huge, and Black INT was critical. Way to represent the SEC Gators!

As for a college football playoff. Count me among the minority. I don't want it. I wouldn't be disappointed if we got a football playoff but I like the bowl system and the fact that teams that have good seasons get the chance to go out a winner against another quality opponent. Football is different than the other sports and a playoff just seems to be forcing a bad ending on all but one team. And I kind of like the tension of who should be the national champion even after the games are played.

So who has an argument this year... Utah. Maybe USC but not Texas. Utah went undefeated and beat a good Alabama team. I think they have a legitimate claim.A plus one game between Florida and Utah might be fun.

USC might have a claim but I'm not convinced.

Texas... no. They got beat by Texas Tech who was trounced by Ole Miss. Yes... I know... they beat Oklahoma. And maybe had a claim to be in the title game. Had OU won maybe they'd have a claim at the title but not with the Gators taking care of business. Honestly, I don't think Texas has anymore claim to the National Title than Ole Miss does. Think about it... Ole Miss beat Florida and Texas Tech. And yes part of this whole line of reasoning is because I have a lot of friends who are Longhorns and this should rile them up.

WOW.... all I can say is WOW!

I couldn't wait for the home run derby tonight. I've heard from many credible sources about Josh Hamilton's prolific batting practices and just how unbelievable they are.... WOW. That had to be the best hitting display I have ever seen and likely will ever see. GREAT time to be a Ranger fan.

One other observation was how all the Rangers were together and rooting Josh on. I don't think anybody else's teammates were as supportive as Kins and Bradley. This is a special team and they simply keep making it a special year.

28 in the 1st round... WOW.

Crazy, Crazy Season

The college football season has been absolutely crazy! If there isn't an argument for a playoff this year I don't know if there ever will be. From App. St. to #1 and #2 going down on Champonship Saturday... and now remaining undefeated Hawaii is going down 14-0 early. If I were voting in the polls and Hawaii finishes undefeated I would have to put them at #1... but right now it's not looking probable. The Heisman??? I'm biased but McFadden would get my vote. Good cases could be made for Tebow, Daniel, and Brennan. The coaching vacancy at Arkansas? Nutt leaves for Ole Miss and now word that at least 5 assistant coaches will follow... after the bowl game. ... WHAT??? You know that your assistants are going to a rival SEC West school and they are allowed to continue coaching AND RECRUITING for your school... doesn't seem too wise to me. As far as who the next coach should be... I really wish the Lane Kiffin rumors would prove true and that he would bring Ed Orgeron with him but who knows who it will be. Hopefully he can lead the Razorbacks to a National Championship! The Texas Rangers have decided that Saltalamacchia will be a catcher and not split time between catcher and 1B. Who knows what this means for Laird but its likely a trade. I can't wait for the Rangers Hot Stove to get lit but more importantly I want Jon Daniels to continue the course began last season. Build toward 2009 or 2010. Ok... enough about sports.

UGH ... There goes the Heisman

It's hard to be a Razorback right now. Horrible football being played... sure the defense played ok but the offense was well... offensive and please pardon the . What's killing me is the penalties. If not for a bail-out fumble after 60 yards in penatlies on one drive and a horrible kicking effort by the Auburn kicker that game isn't even close. And what happens when we actually take the lead? The kicker kicks the ball out of bounds on the kickoff... yes the infamous penalty again. UGH... 0-3 in the SEC.

And for Darren McFadden... there goes the Heisman. With a team that is tanking so badly in the W-L column all it takes is a game to give the voters a reason not to vote for him. Tonight was the reason not to vote for him. I don't know his stats but they weren't pretty. In fact, there was nothing pretty about this game from a Razorback perspective.

Razorback football

Tough, tough loss tonight to Kentucky. Luckily I got to watch most of the game while packing the gameroom and trying to get Brian asleep. McFadden always amazes me when he plays but with the team tanking the Heisman is getting cloudy.

The wrong place, wrong time award has to go to Ryan Powers. Two very costly penalties assessed to him. First, the late hit out of bounds that extends the Kentucky drive. Powers pulled up but still collided with the Kentucky player. Second, the roughing the kicker call where he's knocked into the Kentucy kicker by Michael Grant. If I'm the coach I call him in the office this week and encourage him. He played hard. And yes, those two calls had to be made but ... ugh... I think we're looking at a Razorback win without those two penalties.

And now you know one of my guilty pleasures (although winning definitely makes it more pleasureable) ... Razorback football. WOOOOOOOOOOOO PIG SOOIE!!