Missouri

Arkansas’ Physicality Will Be the Difference against Missouri
Darius Philon

Darius Philon (Photo Credit: SW Times)

In the inaugural 2014 Battle Line Rivalry, Arkansas’ physicality will prove to be too much for Missouri.  Missouri demonstrated that it cannot handle a highly physical team when Georgia demolished the Tigers 34-0 in Columbia, Missouri. Arkansas employs an even more physical style—on both sides of the ball—than Georgia does. On offense, Missouri will be punished by the biggest offensive line in football, including the NFL. Arkansas’ stable of running backs, led by Jonathan Williams and Alex Collins, are powerful running backs and difficult to bring down.  The Arkansas Razorbacks have the most underrated defense in the nation. This defense has played well all year. The Razorbacks’ defense gave up only 17 points to Mississippi State, 14 points to Alabama, and shutout LSU and Ole Miss. Arkansas is the hottest team in the country and is far better than its record suggests. The team has played the toughest schedule in the nation, according to the NCAA. If a play or two would have went differently for the team in each game it lost, the Hogs would be undefeated. You shouldn’t, therefore, doubt that the Hogs have a great chance to go on the road and defeat the Missouri Tigers.

Every coach who has played against Arkansas this season has stated that the team is either “great” or “very good”—Nick Saban said Arkansas is a “great team” and he congratulated Bielema on building a great team the right way. Today, the Razorbacks will need to get consistent pressure with its front four to stop Missouri’s potent passing game. The Hogs’ defense has played well against teams this season that have employed the type of offensive strategy the Tigers use. Missouri will not be able to handle Arkansas’ beast on defense, Trey Flowers. Flowers is one of the top three defensive ends in the nation. Also, look for Darius Philon to have a great game for Arkansas on defense.

Offensively, the Hogs should be able to do enough to defeat the Tigers.

Although the Tigers are playing to be SEC Eastern Division champions, the Hogs are hungry and ready to feed on the Tigers. The Razorbacks want to prove what they did against LSU and Ole Miss is going to continue on into next season, and a win will ameliorate the type of bowl game the team will get. Georgia fans, coaches, and players will need to send the Hogs a letter of gratitude after this one is over. The Hogs win in Columbia, Missouri 31-23.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Arkansas

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Open Letter to Todd Akin
Todd Akin

I need education about rape.

Dear Todd Akin:

Your recent comments discussing “legitimate rape” are offensive to rape victims and survivors and women in general.  While you have stated that you misspoke, your comments have placed you in a position where you cannot be an effective candidate for the Republican Party and cause many women to lack confidence in your judgment now and if you were to become a U.S. senator.  When you make comments that are not carefully articulated in the public domain, you’re not always going to be given an opportunity to revise and extend your remarks, especially comments made on the campaign trail.  Comments made on the campaign trail are not always given the “revise and extend” rights those in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate enjoy.  You need to step aside and do what’s best for America, the state of Missouri and the Republican Party.

If you continue to stay in the U.S. Senate race in Missouri, you will demonstrate that you’re not committed to the interests of the American people but are more concerned with your personal ambitions.  While I can understand your desire to want to serve as a U.S. senator, you cannot let this desire prevent the people of Missouri from having a campaign about substantive issues rather than about “legitimate rape.”  To make such outrageous comments about rape, you prove you’re not ready to represent Missouri in the U.S. Senate.

The comments you made about rape are absurd.  You will have other ways in which you can serve the American people and you will have future opportunities to run for elected office.  This is not the time for you, however.  Your word choice has cost you an opportunity to win the U.S. Senate seat.  In your attempt to evince just how pro-life you are, you went too far.  Although you have some great ideas and positions on other issues, you will be linked to your “legitimate rape” comments.  Do the American people a favor and drop out of the campaign.

Please drop out of the campaign immediately!

Sincerely,

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison