Tusk to Tail 2014: Notes on Dogs, Corndogs, winning Hogs and ‘established chokers’

After surviving a somewhat unkind essay directed at one of the top Hog-xecutives at Razorback Football Inc., the Tusk to Tail crew is feeling cocky and picking the Hogs to beat LSU. A win would end the Hogs SEC losing streak that is in danger of running into the first term of the next U.S. President. Well, all but one member of the Tusk to Tail crew is picking the Hogs to win. Sean Casey says the Hogs will lose. But he’s an attorney, so …

THE QUESTION
Which current Razorback do you think will have the biggest impact in the NFL?

Sean Casey
Dan Skipper strikes me as the one player on the roster who may be able to play at the next level. Truth be told though, I doubt anyone on this roster makes a significant impact in the NFL.

Jack Clark
Denver Kirkland has the best shot at the NFL, he's a powerful player.

Dale Cullins
I would like to think Trey Flowers, but the recent track record of Hogs in the NFL has not been great. Plenty get drafted and a lot get playing time, but none have been stand out guys on Sunday. Here's to hoping Trey is the difference maker he is at the college level.

Greg Houser
A current Razorback that could have the biggest impact in the NFL will most likely be a lineman like Kirkland. These big nasties are developing well, and I expect to maul the SEC the next two years. AJ Derby would be my next guess.

Craig May
Trey Flowers looks the part of an NFL defensive end at 6 foot 4 and 268 pounds. After his junior season, he received a 3rd round grade from NFL scouts. He’s upgraded his draft stock to a second round pick with a solid senior season for the Hogs.

David Rice
The NFL has been emphasizing the Tight End position in recent years, and Bielema has put quite a few in the pros. Based on Hunter Henry’s athletic grabs at the end of the Mississippi State game, he may have a chance to go far in the League.

Mark Wagner
Denver Kirkland will have a very long NFL career and be considered one of the better lineman to come out of Arkansas since Shawn Andrews.

J. Marcus Russell
I have no idea. Judging by the NFL these days, a lot of NFL GM's don't either. Coach B is known for his line guys. I would expect Flowers and Kirkland to be the most likely to have an impact.

Todd Rudisill
Hunter Henry.

THE GAMES
• #20 LSU @ Arkansas

Sean Casey
The Corndogs will have a hangover heading into Fayetteville after a tough loss against Bama last week. The weather will be brutal with a chance of freezing rain or even snow (meaning a certain milk and bread shortage in NWA). The Hogs are coming off a bye week, leading to the perfect opportunity to get a conference win. Unfortunately the Hogs crumble late in the game with a Brandon Allen turnover. Hogs 7, Corndogs 14.

Jack Clark
I predict that the Hogs will FINALLY break the streak and win on Saturday. It's been a long time since I've said those words.

Dale Cullins
I'm going to pick the Hogs against LSU and I most likely just jinxed them to lose yet again. The streak has to end at some point, so why not on a cold night in Fayetteville? I think the Hogs still make mistakes, but LSU makes more, and the Hogs win a tight one, 20-17.

Greg Houser
As I'm known in TTT fold as the "Kool Aid drinker," I have to go with the Piggies for their first SEC win in forever.  I'll take the Razorbacks by 10. I'm not sure we know how to win a close game, so it's gotta be a comfy lead.

Craig May
LSU feels the effects of the cold and last week’s loss to Alabama. Arkansas’ run game will rush for 300 yards and the defense will slow down LSU just enough to pull out the win for the Hogs. Arkansas 17, LSU 14.

David Rice
When Arkansas finally gets its first SEC win, whoever we beat will be infamous for breaking the nation’s longest conference losing streak. I couldn’t think of a better opponent for that to happen to than LSU. Hell freezes over as Hogs win a low-scoring affair.

Mark Wagner
Hogs win 27-21. The cold and last week’s loss get to LSU. Plus we are due.

J. Marcus Russell
Arkansas finally gets the win with LSU dropping an unheard of two in a row under Miles with 4 conference losses. Chatter increases about Miles making the jump.

Todd Rudisill
We always match up well with LSU. They are banged up after a very physical game against the Tide. The Corn Dogs get off the bus and freeze on contact in the snow. Hogs finally win a conference game. Razorbacks 27-23.

• #18 Clemson @ #24 Georgia Tech
Sean Casey
Clemson at Georgia Tech (yawn) features a couple of two-loss teams, each needing other teams to lose in order to make it to the ACC championship game. Even though Ga Tech is home I like the hot hand in this game. Clemson wins 38-28.

J. Marcus Russell
Interesting game. A friend tagged these teams "established chokers." Clemson gets their QB back, but GT is playing well the last few weeks. I will go with Clemson to make a strong final push to end the season, until they choke.

Todd Rudisill
Is anybody going to watch this game? Tech, 33-30.

• #11 Nebraska @ #22 Wisconsin
Dale Cullins
It’s going to be cold up in Madison, but Nebraska can take that. But can Nebraska go without their difference-maker at running back? I don't think so. Wisconsin is not great this year, but they play well enough to win. Wisky 27, Nebraska 14.

J. Marcus Russell
Coach Pelini is making less noise this season, which has led to an improved team.  However, Wisconsin plays well against Nebraska and wins a tough one at home.

Todd Rudisill
Cornhuskers do what Cornhuskers do in November: Lose a big game on the road.  Badgers, 29-23.

• #9 Auburn @ #16 Georgia
Craig May
Georgia still has a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game with an outside shot at the College Football playoff. Playing at home, look for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb to control the game and the clock for Georgia. Georgia 34, Auburn 24.

J. Marcus Russell
Both teams will go all out in this game. Auburn looked shaky last week at the end of the game. Auburn is due a two-game SEC stumble. Georgia wins in an upset.

Todd Rudisill
Which Auburn team will show up? The one that was a 22-point favorite against A&M and lost? Which Georgia team will show up? The one that got smoked by Florida? Georgia has revenge on their mind after that miracle loss to the Tigers last year.  Bulldogs, 37-34.

• #2 Florida State @ Miami (FL)
Greg Houser
I think FSU is still ripe for a loss. There’s nothing like an in-state rivalry to take someone down a notch. Not that Miami would be good enough for any other playoff team.

J. Marcus Russell
Only one team in Florida matters. Florida State wins convincingly.

Todd Rudisill
Miami finally does what a handful of ACC cellar dwellers have almost done, and that is beat this overrated Seminole team. Miami, 37-35.

• #1 Mississippi State @ #4 Alabama
Mark Wagner
The undefeated and number one ranked Bulldogs of Miss State, are picked as an underdog in their game against the Tide. Bama opened as a 6.5 point favorite. Discuss amongst yourselves. 

Vegas aside, this should be a great game. Bama gets the Dogs at home, which should make it easier for them. However, neither team looked like world-beaters when they played the Hogs. Having seen both teams play in person, I think that Miss State has the better QB, Bama has the better RB & WR, and defense is a wash. Bama probably does have the better coaching staff in games of this magnitude. Whoever wins this game is the odds-on favorite to be in the Final Four and playing for the National Championship.  Bama has been there before. State, not so much. So with that in mind, I'm going to pick Alabama by a FG in OT. Final score 17-14, Bama.

J. Marcus Russell
With apologies to "The Godfather," the dream of an "Egg" champion ends. Traditional powerhouse Alabama establishes control over the SEC race one again.

Todd Rudisill
This is a hard one to pick. State has a much better offense than Bama, but I still haven’t been impressed with State. I think Bama’s defense once again wins this one at home.  Bama, 24-17.