Raves:
I’m sure that many of you that have read anything I’ve posted, have noticed that I sometimes use stat lines to get my point across. I’m not your everyday sports blogger that lives and dies by numbers. I call it like I see it.
That being said, I’m sure that everyone who watched the Arkansas-UTEP game via ESPNU, saw the numbers that ESPN’s Herm Edwards put up.
In column 1, it had the numbers of a Heisman front runner, Boise State’s quarterback Kellen Moore. In column 2, it had the numbers of Ryan Mallett.
For those of you who did not see it, I will provide those numbers for you.
Ryan Mallett
212 of 315 for 2,967 yards, 24 touchdowns, 8 interceptions,a completion percentage of 67.3 and a QB rating of 166.5
Kellen Moore
174 of 242 for 2,588 yards, 24 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, a completion percentage of 71.9 and a QB rating of 191.2
Moore’s quarterback rating is higher and he holds a better completion percentage than Ryan Mallett.
Ryan Mallett on the other hand has faced much tougher competition to gain the numbers he has. Currently in the Heisman predictor, Ryan Mallett sits at No. 10. With the only two losses coming to top 5 teams at the time, I feel that Ryan Mallett should be in the top 5 in Heisman voting. I’ve seen nothing that shows Ryan Mallett is not one of, if not the best quarterback in the nation. But as I’ve said before, the Heisman is no longer the coveted Heisman Trophy, it has become a popularity contest. The most popular player on the most popular team.
As for Coach Bobby Petrino, from the time he arrived at Drake Field in Fayetteville, Hog Nation has heard slanderous and derogatory filth spew from the mouths of national media as well as opposing fans. At one point, CBS’s Greg Doyle accused the Arkansas fan base as the worst fans in the nation after Hat-gate with Renee Gork.
But if Hog Nation is anything, its resilient.
How many times in the past have Hog fans supported a team, only for the team to come up short. Most fans would have thrown in the towel. During Houston Nutt’s tenure at the University of Arkansas, the Hogs fielded teams that had talent. But the Hogs couldn’t quite get over the hump.
Enter Bobby Petrino. Since Coach Petrino has gotten here, there have been no outlandish promises. There have been no atta’ boy and moral victories.
Only work.
Bobby Petrino has been building this program from the time he arrived. He has built depth, which is something the Hogs have always lacked. People say you can’t recruit to Fayetteville, Arkansas. Bobby Petrino has done just that. I’ve heard people say, “Well, you won’t keep him long.” That’s a risk you take with any coach. Except maybe Joe Paterno.
My point is, that people have scrutinized things Coach Petrino has done, or the way he has done it. I’m a firm believer that Bobby Petrino will be the coach that puts Arkansas football back on the map.
After all, with a top 15 recruiting class, it seems he has done just that.
Rants:
This past week the Auburn Tigers played the Georgia Bulldogs, and in this game, were two players on opposite ends of the spectrum.
From the time that the Hogs traveled to Athens, I have been impressed with Aaron Murray. As a freshman, Murray has stood in the pocket and taken brutal shots, for a minimal completion. Aaron Murray defines the word tough. But in last weeks game, he displayed a very impressive amount of toughness.
Auburn’s standout DT Nick Fairley, on numerous occasions launched himself at Murray. After watching tape of the game, one play in particular stands out to me.
Murray had dropped back to pass, released the ball, and almost two seconds had passed when you see Nick Fairley, helmet in the spearing position, nail Aaron Murray square in the back.
Finally in the fourth quarter, after the officials only tossing one flag for the numerous cheap shots, the Georgia offensive line took matters into their own hands, and a scuffle ensued. The result is that two Auburn defenders were ejected and will miss the first half of the Iron Bowl against in state foe Alabama, as per NCAA rules.
What I can’t wrap my head around, is the fact that Nick Fairley was not suspended. After all it’s his actions that caused the fight. On two separate occasions, Fairley deemed it necessary to drive Aaron Murray into the ground, although Murray no longer had the ball.
I can understand the game officials missing the calls, after all we have seen what fine officiating the SEC has to offer. But Mike Slive has had ample time to review the game tape and see for himself the cheap shots that took place.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s football I don’t want to see it turned into glorified flag football, but when you have a dirty player who obviously has an agenda against opposing quarterbacks, someone HAS to step in.
And I want to say a special thank you to all the folks at New Hope. Thanks for reading TC and Connie.
Follow James Moseley on Twitter: @james_moseley
3 Responses
Comments are closed.