Tusk to Tail: Are you smarter than a 15-year tailgater?

The members of Tusk to Tail have been following the Hogs nearly all their lives, missing only one game in the past 15 years. Each week, they will be asked to pick the winners of 5 games, and answer one question.

Think you can do better? Give it a shot! (Visit the link to the webform at the end of the predictions to make your picks.)

The games:
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Arkansas
#1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech
#5 Georgia vs. #8 Clemson
#12 LSU vs. #20 TCU
Mississippi State @ #13 Oklahoma State

The question:  How do you think the Razorback football team will do this year?

THE PREDICTIONS
This year, the seven members of Tusk to Tail will occasionally be joined by “The Guy Who Stole Dale’s Phone,” the thief with the audacity to reply to Dale Cullins’s calls, texts, and e-mails. We may invite him to our tailgate. He knows a lot about the Razorbacks, and he seems really interesting.

• Sean Casey
Arkansas – Hogs win!  Arkansas 28 ULL 17
Alabama – Bama rolls Tech.
Clemson – Clemson beats UGA.
LSU – LSU squeaks by TCU (I’ve got to give it to LSU. They play tough out-of-conference opponents)
Oklahoma State – Okie Lite smokes Miss St.

The Hogs will adjust to the new system and coaches this season. We saw that the defensive side of the ball was thin but I expect our defensive line to be our strength there. I think both our offensive and defensive lines will be improved and much more physical under Bielema. Still, this is a very tough schedule in the toughest conference. I predict the Hogs end up 6-6 this season and inexplicably miss out on a bowl invite. Go Hogs!

• Jack Clark
Hogs 13, ULL 10.  In overtime.
Bama
Clemson
TCU
OK St.

I will be crucified by my Tusk to Tail brethren, but I see the hogs finishing 3-9. Hope I'm wrong, but I've stated numerous times that I'm concerned about this hire. I think the 50th selfie I saw of Jen and Brett Bielema gave me doubts. If I'm wrong, I will welcome the criticism. And before you call me a hater, make sure you are going to all 12 games first.

• Dale Cullins
Hogs
Bama
UGA, but close
LSU by a lot
OSU, but closer than expected

It will all come down to QB play. If Brandon Allen can get in front of the game, the Hogs can go 6-6 or 7-5. If he struggles, or if the O-Line struggles, the Hogs could easily go 4-8 to 5-7. I think the Hogs make the Independence Bowl or the Liberty Bowl and at this point that is a toss-up. I just want to see this team take on the coach’s personality and make improvement. Hard to do with 14 freshmen on the two deep roster, but it's a start.

• Greg Houser
Arkansas
Alabama. (Big time)
Georgia  (of course I'm rooting for the SEC)
LSU (TCU Coach Gary Patterson is glad he didn't join the SEC)
OSU (not sure the Bulldogs are feisty enough)

I truly think the Hogs can make 7-5. Realistically 6-6, but I'll take 7-5. Whatever bowl we make from that is just gravy, even if it’s in Shreveport or Memphis. I'd rather not freeze this time, thanks Brett.

• Craig May
Arkansas
Alabama
Georgia
LSU
OSU

This should be a fun season. I don’t have any expectations for the football team, just want to see them improve week to week. I see 3 wins over the teams they’ll be favored against (ULL, Samford, and Southern Miss), 2 wins in the toss up games (Rutgers, Auburn and MSU) and 1 from the following (Texas A&M, Florida, South Carolina, Alabama and Ole Miss) for a season record of 6-6. That should earn us a nice trip to Memphis for the Liberty Bowl. Go Hogs.

• David Rice
Arkansas
Alabama
Clemson puts Georgia Coach Mark Richt back in the hot seat.
TCU in an upset. Coaching matters.
Oklahoma State

There’s an old saying that every Major League Baseball team is going to win a third of their games and lose a third of their games; it is what the team does with the final third that matters. I see a similar scenario for the Razorbacks. We should beat the 4 non-conference teams, and lose to at least 4 of the 5 ranked teams we play. How the Hogs do against the rest of the opponents will dictate whether we can get to a bowl game. I say we split the final third, finishing 6-6, but only if Brandon Allen stays healthy.

• Mark Wagner
Arkansas
Alabama
Clemson
LSU
Oklahoma State

The Hogs will finish 6-6, or with a lucky break 7-5. They will go to a bowl game. Wins will be the first 4 games, Auburn, and at least one, if not both of the Mississippi schools.

• The Guy Who Stole Dale’s Phone
Arkansas
Alabama
Georgia
TCU
Oklahoma State

Six wins. Bielema has his work cut out for him, as he is coaching in the toughest division in the toughest conference in America. I expect fewer embarrassing blowouts this year, but not a dramatically different record. The Auburn game will be our bellwether until either Gus or Bret is out. Only the strong survive in this league. Let's hope we have a long term coach that delivers us to the promised land once Saban retires.

MAKE YOUR PREDICTIONS
Link here to make your predictions and challenge the wisdom of these veteran Razorback tailgaters.