Tusk to Tail 2014: Can you hang a cow bell on a Heisman?

A member of the Tusk to Tail crew predicts the Hogs will upset Mr. Dak Prescott and his football friends at Mississippi State. The Hogs, who are on a 16-game losing streak in the SEC will, according to this Tusk to Tail-er, upset the #1 cow bell-ringers at their place. We need to review our drug testing program.

THE QUESTION
Who will win the Heisman Trophy this year?

Sean Casey
This year's Heisman Trophy appears to be Marcus Mariota's to lose. His numbers are very impressive, with only one INT on the season. The SEC camp will claim that Dak Prescott's accomplishments are more impressive because Prescott faces a much more challenging schedule. While opinions will differ regarding who is more deserving of this empty award, I'll go with the guy who has a 480.4 passer rating. #VoteTretola.

Jack Clark
Ever since DMac got the shaft on winning the Heisman, I've given up all interest in who will win.

Dale Cullins
That’s a difficult question so far this season. I've not seen anyone I would just say is a shoe-in for the trophy at this point in the season. I need to see some more numbers, but my leading candidate would be Dak Prescott, the MSU QB.

Greg Houser
The Heisman is Dak Prescott's to lose.

David Rice
If Oregon wins out, which seems fairly likely, the award should go to Marcus Mariota. If not him, then maybe that TCU guy with the cool name that threw all those TDs. (Editor’s note: Trevone Boykin threw 7 touchdown passes against Texas Tech last week.)

Mark Wagner
Assuming they stay undefeated, then I think  the Heisman will go to Dak Prescott, the Miss State QB. He basically has come out of nowhere as far as the National Media is concerned, and everyone loves the underdog role.

Bulldog Max
If voting ended today, it would be Prescott. He is blue collar tough. However, State has a tougher schedule left, which will likely lead to late season loss. Mariota in a close vote. 

Todd Rudisill
The most impressive I’ve seen all year is Dak Prescott

THE GAMES
Arkansas @ #1 Mississippi State
Sean Casey
Arkansas travels to StarkVegas this weekend to face off with the #1 ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs. Starkville has been a tough place to play for Arkansas, even for Arkansas's better teams. That trend doesn't change this weekend. I do believe the Hogs play hard and physical, but State pulls out the win in the 4th quarter. Hogs fall 45-35.

Jack Clark
State beats the Hogs. Streak goes to 17 games.

Dale Cullins
The Hogs are playing well enough to win this game, but they have to find ways to make big plays on D if they want to win in Starkville. Which means 3rd down stops and generate turnovers rather than make them. All of the things they haven't done in conference games, such as play penalty free and score in the 4th quarter, they need to do to win this game. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Hogs win, but I'm just not sure they have it in them this season against a very good MSU team. MSU 34, Hogs 20.

Greg Houser
State by 10. Dang, I hope I'm wrong and the Piggies shove it down their cow bell throats. If anything, our beloved Hogs have to win so the faithful that traveled don't have to endure those cowbells!

Craig May
This is going to be a physical ball game. Arkansas should be able to move the football, and will need to win the time of possession to be in this game in the 4th quarter. The best way to not let Dak Prescott beat you is to keep him off the field. MSU 31, Arkansas 21.

David Rice
What better way to snap a 16-game conference skid than beating #1 at their place? Sounds daunting, but nobody would have laughed you out of the room this summer if you told them Arkansas would beat Miss Stake. Razorbacks 33, Leg Humpers 19.

Mark Wagner
The Hogs have a chance. We took them to OT last year, and our team is greatly improved. Unfortunately, so is theirs, and they are always a tough team at home. They have some huge games coming up, but I don't think they overlook us. Miss State 31,  Ark 27.

Bulldog Max
Once again, Arkansas is in rough conference play. Once again, Hogs fail to get it done.

Todd Rudisill
More Cowbell. 42-17.

• #18 Utah @ #15 Arizona State
Craig May
I know nothing about Utah or Arizona State. However, my brother graduated from Arizona State so, I’ll take ASU.
Bulldog Max
Can Utah win another big game?  Sure. 

Todd Rudisill
Pac 10 football. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Sun Devils 28-24.

• #14 Arizona @ #25 UCLA
Mark Wagner
It's the UCLA run game against the Arizona passing attack. The Bruins have struggled in their last three games, and just haven't looked good. I say Arizona in this one, 41-21.

Bulldog Max
Pac 12 littered with too many clone teams. Arizona with a road win.

Todd Rudisill
See above. Arizona 38-34.

• #10 TCU @ #20 West Virginia
Dale Cullins
TCU has put up a lot of points on everyone so far this season, and I don't see that stopping now in Morgantown. WVU is good on offense as well, but TCU does play a little bit of D. That isn't saying much in the Big 12 where playing D is right up there on the list of “To Do's” with getting the conference name to match the number of teams.    TCU 52, WVU 40    

Bulldog Max
TCU coach Patterson received a strong look from some Arkansas fans when Petrino left. He seems to have it going again this year with maybe a little less defense, but a typical big 12 offense. TCU.

Todd Rudisill
Second best “I wanna watch this game appeal” behind Auburn/Ole Miss this week. Will be a dogfight. TCU pulls out a close one in Morgantown, 44-40.

• Stanford @ #5 Oregon
Sean Casey
Stanford visits Oregon this weekend in a game no one east of the Rockies will watch. Stanford has been a very tough match-up for Oregon the past few years. I expect another tough game for Oregon. Stanford's defense will harass Mariota, but eventually Oregon's speed on both sides of the ball tips the game to the Ducks. Sunday we'll read about Oregon's 31-17 win. 

Bulldog Max
Same Oregon team, but not quite the same old Stanford team. Bad for Stanford.  Oregon at home.

Todd Rudisill
This is not your typical Stanford team. Oregon 39-23.

• #4 Auburn @ #7 Ole Miss
Greg Houser
I'll take the Gus Bus to take it to Ole Piss. Aubbie by 14. The Black Bears will take another step backwards after that loss to the Corndogs.

Bulldog Max
The game of the day. Both teams are impressive. One of these two teams will most likely be out of the hunt after this game. It’s a toss-up.

Todd Rudisill
This is a playoff elimination game. If the same play calling for Ole Miss that was in Baton Rouge shows up in Oxford, it will be all Tigers. Aubbie 31-27.