Tusk to Tail 2014: 7 Predictions from Highly Effective Tailgaters, Week 3

This week Tusk to Tail is joined by prodigal son Craig Jones, who is coming up from Houston to root for his alma mater, and Thane Chisholm, because every trip to West Texas should have a guy whose name sounds like a Louis L’amour character.

The Question: Who will be the Razorbacks’ Defensive MVP Saturday, and why?
Sean Casey
Bijhon Jackson leads the defense in the trenches and gets three sacks and three tackles for loss yardage. 

Jack Clark
Arkansas defensive special teams gets the MVP this week.

Dale Cullins
So far Flowers looks head and shoulders above the rest of the D. I think he will be double-teamed and still get three sacks against the Raiders.

Greg Houser
I'll take any interior defensive lineman for defensive MVP. If Tech barely got by UCA two weeks ago, I've gotta believe that our D-line will get some penetration.

David Rice
The D-line will disrupt Tech’s offense enough to force some interceptions. Maybe Carroll Washington can hang onto one or two.

Mark Wagner
Nose tackle Taiwan Johnson.  We need him to put pressure on the QB.

Thane Chisholm
I think Taiwan Johnson will be the Hogs MVP on Saturday. I think Tech will try to double team Trey Flowers and this will allow Johnson to use his strength and elusiveness to create havoc for QB Davis Webb.

Craig Jones
Trey Flowers. He is the best player on the team.

The Games and Predictions

Arkansas @ Texas Tech
Sean Casey
The Hog offensive line pushes the Texas Tech defense around and the passing game is just successful enough to keep Tech honest. The Arkansas secondary is soft but improved. Hogs win 38-34. 

Jack Clark
I think Arkansas will win with some sort of heroic special teams play in the 4th quarter.

Dale Cullins
I like the Hogs chances this week but I know the home crowd has had this game circled since it was announced. Hogs O should run at will but I still worry about the D. Hogs 34, Tech 27.

Greg Houser
Arkansas by 10 over "dem Red Raiders." I’m till drinking the Kool-aid, but I think the Piggies liked winning so very much that the boys are too hungry. Arkansas will be a light in the middle of the black out.

Craig May
The size and speed on both sides of the line of scrimmage give the Hogs a big advantage in this game. The Arkansas running game will keep the Texas Tech offense off the field and the front seven on defense get just enough pressure to disrupt Tech’s passing game. Hogs 37, Red Raiders 27.

David Rice
Tech has looked pretty bad this season, barely beating inferior competition. I’m sure they’ll play up for this one, and our defense would allow 300 yards to Def Leppard’s one-armed drummer, but I think Tech gets their bell rung Saturday. Arkansas 31, Texas Tech 27. (See a classic Texas Tech bell ringer at the end of this report.)

Mark Wagner
Arkansas wins a close one 27-24. Tech hasn't looked real good the last two weeks, but I'm not sure the Hogs have established themselves yet. I think this is going to be a fun game to watch, and the difference will be if the Hogs can put together a complete 4-quarter game.

Thane Chisholm
My prediction for the Hog game is 31 to 28, Hogs. I watched the UTEP game and their offensive line controlled the Tech defensive line for most of the game. I really believe the Hogs will be able to control the line of scrimmage and this will result in a lot of rushing yardage for our very talented backfield. I am afraid Tech will be able to throw a lot due to our very poor secondary but in the end the Hogs will win the game.

Craig Jones
Tech 35, Arkansas 31. I see improvement, but until I see our defense stop someone, I don’t think we can score enough to pull it out. I hope I am wrong, since I live in Texas and have to travel to Odessa frequently. Guns DOWN!

#6 Georgia @ #24 South Carolina
Mark Wagner
Georgia is coming off a bye week after a big win against Clemson two weeks ago and SC got back some of their manhood against East Carolina. On paper this looks like it will be all Georgia, but I'm predicting an upset. The Ole Ball Coach always has his team improve each game, and they are playing at SC where Georgia hasn't won since 2008. I think a young Georgia team gets flustered, and loses a close one 24-21 (if only they'd wait & do this in LR when they play the Hogs).

Thane Chisholm
My prediction for the UGA/USC game is 33 to 27 with the Dogs getting the win. Georgia showed me a lot when they beat a very good Clemson team. Also, I think Todd Gurley will have a big day rushing day which will allow Georgia to have a very balanced attack that includes a very proficient and effective passing game.

Craig Jones
I think Carolina is overrated. Yes they have been successful, but they are STILL Carolina. Since when do they get a free top 10 preseason ranking after all they lost last year? Dawgs roll 35-17.

Tennessee @ #4 Oklahoma
Craig May
Can Oklahoma take down a second SEC team in 2014? The Sooners had a big win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl in January and look to make it 2-0 against the SEC with a win over Tennessee this weekend. The Vols have some talent but lack experience and that will show on Saturday against a veteran Oklahoma team looking for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma 34  Tennessee 14

Thane Chisholm
UT is definitely getting better under Butch Jones, but I don't think they are ready for the big stage just yet. UT might stay close for a half but in the end OU will win by at least 2 touchdowns. My prediction is 35 to 17, OU.

Craig Jones
OU 157, Rocky Top 7

Louisiana-Monroe @ #10 LSU
Greg Houser
I appreciate the softball this week. My pick is LSU over Louisiana Monroe. These players may know each other, but that'll be the only thing they have in common. LSU by 24.

Thane Chisholm
LSU should have no trouble with ULM. LSU is just so much more talented. My prediction is 45 to 14.

Craig Jones
The only school in Louisiana 42, the I-20 advanced high school 10.

#12 UCLA @ Texas
Jack Clark
UCLA.

Thane Chisholm
Texas was embarrassed in Austin last week and I doubt that is sitting well with Charlie Strong. I think UCLA is overrated and last week they very easily could have lost to a very bad Memphis team. I like the Horns to upset the Bruins 28 to 24.

Craig Jones
Hahahaha … This score is directly proportional to the number of Mormons on the Bruin roster. I actually think the Pulaski Academy Bruins could beat Texas. UCLA 21, Texas 13.

#21 Louisville @ Virginia
Sean Casey
This is a tough match up for Petrino & Co. on the road, but the Louisville offense continues to improve and the defense is solid. Louisville wins big by scoring a lot late in an otherwise competitive game until the 4th quarter. Louisville, 45 – 17. 

Thane Chisholm
I think UVA will upset UL. UL will be very good again under Bobby but I don't think they are ready for a big road win just yet. My prediction is the Cavs over the Cardinals 37 to 28.

Craig Jones
Ohhhhhhh baby! Everyone knows my stance on Petrino. He is a beast and VERY good at what he is paid to do, which is coach football. Cardinals 49, UVA 21