Ryan Mallett

The Arkansas Razorbacks Will Win the BCS Sugar Bowl

The Arkansas Razorbacks will square off against the Ohio State University Buckeyes in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) AllState Sugar Bowl. As a Razorback, I am tremendously proud of the Hogs for making it to this BCS game. Bobby Petrino, his coaches, staff, and team have done a tremendous job of doing what was necessary to get to this game. This season the Razorbacks were really about two plays away from being in the BCS National Championship game facing the Oregon Ducks. Ohio State University will get to see tonight why there is a significant difference between playing in the Big Ten and playing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Arkansas has the only offense in the nation to have both a 3,000 yard passer and a 1,000 yard rusher. Yes, Ohio State has a good defense but this defense has not seen a team with the speed and physicality that the Arkansas Razorbacks bring. This team has not faced a quarterback as talented as Ryan Mallett.

Ohio State University has five players, including the starting quarterback, who have been suspended for the first five games next year. These five players should not be playing in this game tonight, but they are and the Arkansas Razorbacks are glad that they are playing because we don’t want any excuses when we beat Ohio State! I don’t think for a moment that the talk about suspensions are going to distract the Ohio State players because all that they are concerned about is tonight, considering all of them are probably going to leave for the NFL after the game anyway.

The Arkansas defense has been a much improved unit this year, and this unit has gotten better and better each game. I look for the defense to step up and make big plays and do just enough to help Arkansas win the game. Arkansas is a tested team who has played strong competition—not a weak Big Ten schedule. Arkansas will represent the greatness and superiority of the SEC tonight!

Mallett will have a big game, as he has had all year. The key to the Hogs winning tonight will be the ability of the offensive line to pass protect for Mallett and Knile Davis will need to gain 100 yards for the Hogs.

I really could focus on the suspensions of the five Ohio State players, but I will not elevate those players to the greater attention that my Razorbacks deserve for getting to this game tonight and for the victory that they will get tonight!

I believe that this is going to be a close and outstanding game. I predict that the Arkansas Razorbacks will defeat the Ohio State University Buckeyes 31-27.

I pray for the success of all members of the Razorback team tonight and that they all will return to Fayetteville, Arkansas healthy and the winners of the BCS AllState Sugar Bowl! I know that you guys are going to do it! Go Hogs! WOO PIG SOOIE!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Arkansas Razorbacks Will Defeat LSU

In one of the great rivalries in all of college football, Arkansas vs. LSU will give college football fans yet another memorable game. In the end, the Arkansas Razorbacks will simply outlast Louisiana State University (LSU). Les Miles is going to need to have more than just trick plays ready for the Arkansas Razorbacks, because, at this point, the Razorbacks are ready for all of his trick plays. Now, it will not be an easy task for the Razorbacks to defeat LSU, but Arkansas is simply the better team. LSU has some athletes who will make it a challenge for the Hogs to win, but Ryan Mallett and the Arkansas Razorbacks know they are playing for a potential Bowl Championship Series (BCS) berth in the Sugar Bowl and they are not going to let that opportunity pass them by.

LSU’s offense is not really that good, so the Arkansas defense should play fairly well against the LSU offense. LSU does have a solid defense, but the defense has never faced a passing attack like Ryan Mallett and company has to offer. What I want you to look out for, however, is the Arkansas running game. When the game is all over, it will be the success of Knile Davis and the running game that will result in such a successful day for the Razorback offense.

The offensive line will need to have a solid game blocking for Ryan Mallett, and will need to eliminate the silly penalties they get.

When the Razorbacks get a pretty comfortable lead on LSU, they need to continue to be aggressive against them and don’t allow them to get back into the game. I encourage Bobby Petrino not to get too conservative with his playcalling because LSU does not have anything close to an explosive offense. I think we will see LSU play one of the best games the team has played this year, but I think we will see Arkansas play the best four quarters of football we have seen them play this year, which will certainly equal a Razorback victory.

When Arkansas wins, the BCS Sugar Bowl Committee needs to give Arkansas a spot in the Sugar Bowl game. If the BCS Sugar Bowl Committee does not give them a spot, then another BCS bowl committee needs to give them a spot because the Arkansas Razorbacks have certainly earned a spot to play in a BCS game.

I really wish that Arkansas would stop playing LSU in War Memorial Stadium and start playing them in Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The Razorbacks make it a much closer trip for LSU’s fans to come and attend the game. Arkansas also takes away from the feel of a true home game by playing at War Memorial Stadium. It’s always a mighty tough task to come up in play in the Mountains of Fayetteville, but Arkansas denies itself an opportunity to use the advantage of Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

It would be great if Dennis Johnson, Ramon Broadway, and Greg Childs could be playing for the Razorbacks, but they are all out for the season with injuries. The Arkansas Razorbacks still have so many talented athletes to lead the way to a victory against LSU. Go Hogs!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Boise State and TCU Shouldn’t be in the BCS Discussion

It is simply unfair for Boise State University and Texas Christian University (TCU) to be ranked #3 and #4 in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS). If they want to be able to gain the necessary respect to play in the national championship game, then they will need to schedule road games with traditional football powers like Alabama and Texas and beat them both. Their non-conference schedules need to be the most difficult in the nation, considering their conference schedules are tremendously weak. Of course, I support a playoff system, one that would still require Boise State University and TCU to play more difficult non-conference schedules. Now, Boise State and TCU could move into BCS conferences and I would then be more supportive of them. For instance, if TCU moved into the Big 12, for which they are geographically perfect for, and Boise State moved into the Big 12 too, and experienced undefeated seasons, I would support both of them getting a national championship game appearance. The moral to the story, therefore, is TCU and Boise State need to change conferences or play the most difficult non-conference schedules in the nation.

I’m not trying to say that these two teams are not talented because they are. What I am saying is they basically don’t play anybody. Give Boise State the schedule Arkansas has, and TCU the schedule Oregon has. I’m willing to bet that both teams would have two losses or more each year. The problem both teams present for themselves is we never have a chance to see them play a tough conference schedule.

The coaches, Harris Interactive poll voters, and the Associated Press need to stop voting them into the Top 25. They occupy places in the polls that other teams who are far more deserving are being denied a chance to be in. Kellen Moore of Boise State and Andy Dalton of TCU, therefore, should not be receiving Heisman Trophy consideration. I support Ryan Mallett of the Arkansas Razorbacks for the Heisman Trophy.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Same Referees Screw the Arkansas Razorbacks Again

The Arkansas Razorback defense had a horrible day on yesterday. It was certainly not a good day for the Special Teams of the Razorbacks too. Ryan Mallett had to leave the game in the second quarter with a concussion. With all of those aforementioned things that happened, one would think that the Hogs never had a chance to win, but that could not be further from the truth. The Hogs could have won the game, but they faced a force that was greater than the Auburn Tigers—the referees! The same referees that screwed the Razorbacks out of a win against the Florida Gators last year screwed Arkansas on yesterday against Auburn.

Without a doubt, Arkansas did not play as well as the team can play, but they were not prepared to play against referees who intentionally did everything that they could to make sure that the Razorbacks were not victorious against the Auburn Tigers. The Razorbacks still almost defeated Auburn even with the referees cheating on Arkansas. In the end, the cheating referee cost the Razorbacks the game.

I would just like to take this moment and congratulate Tyler Wilson on a great job of coming in for Ryan Mallett. The Arkansas defense needs to rise up again for the remainder of the season. Okay, this game is over—you have many more games to go. Go and win the rest of them!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Arkansas Razorbacks Will Defeat the Auburn Tigers

Because of Auburn’s higher ranking in the polls and because Auburn is at home, the Arkansas Razorbacks are a 3 point underdog going on the road to play Auburn. Although it is always tough to go on the road in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Arkansas Razorbacks have proven that they can go on the road and win already this year with their defeat of the Georgia Bulldogs. The Arkansas Razorbacks have also gone on the road in the past and blew out the Auburn Tigers—when Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were in the backfield for the Razorbacks. Auburn and Arkansas have basically the same teams from last year—with some exceptions. Arkansas soundly defeated Auburn last year at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Auburn is unquestionably the weakest team in the top ten in the polls.

Auburn has not looked impressive against any true competition they have played this year. They barely beat one of the weakest teams in the SEC last week, Kentucky. They barely beat and should have lost a 3 point game over a less than average Mississippi State team. Although they beat South Carolina, it was the unforced errors of South Carolina that gave Auburn the victory. One thing is for sure this weekend—Auburn will face the best team that they have played and will play all year, the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Auburn’s pass defense is 93rd in the nation. Again, 93rd pass defense in the nation. With the 3rd ranked passing offense coming to town, Auburn will have nightmares about the best quarterback in the nation, Ryan Mallett. Arkansas also has one of the top scoring defenses in the nation. The Arkansas defense is fast and swarms to the football. Cameron Newton will have Jerry Franklin following him everywhere he goes. Arkansas will put 8 and 9 men in the box and force Cameron Newton to beat them with his arm and not his legs.

While Auburn is an improved team this year, they are still not in the class with Arkansas, Alabama, and LSU.  People should not be fooled by their #7 ranking in the polls—they are not that good. They have benefited from a favorable early schedule. Auburn is about to get into the heart of their schedule, which is the point at which they get their hearts ripped out.

Against Texas A&M last week, Arkansas showed an improved running game, which will only help to make them even tougher against Auburn. Arkansas will need to pay close attention to Farley on defense. He has proved to be a tough man to block.

Although Auburn will feed off of the home crowd early, the Arkansas Razorbacks have too much talent and depth to be defeated by Auburn. If Arkansas plays as well as they should, they will beat Auburn by 10 or 14 points. I am going to say, however, that they are going to win this road game by 7 points. The Arkansas players don’t think this will be an upset—they expect to win this game because they know that they are simply better than Auburn.

Arkansas has new life in the SEC West since Alabama lost. Arkansas gets a critical win on the road Saturday against Auburn. WOO PIG SOOIE! GO HOGS!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Alabama Crimson Tide Should Be on Upset Alert against the South Carolina Gamecocks

Today, the Alabama Crimson Tide travels to Columbia, South Carolina to face the South Carolina Gamecocks. Although South Carolina is coming off a tough loss against the Auburn Tigers, it is mighty tough to go on the road in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and win. Alabama got a chance to experience just how tough it is to win a game on the road in the SEC when they were lucky to escape from Fayetteville, Arkansas with a win against the Arkansas Razorbacks, arguably the best team in the nation. In the game against Arkansas, the very weak defensive secondary of Alabama got exposed against Heisman hopeful Ryan Mallett, as he was able to pass the ball with ease. Although the Arkansas offense was not able to have many possessions in the second half to continue to exploit the Alabama secondary and to get the win, Steve Spurrier had to be salivating during film study looking at how he can continue to exploit this weak secondary.

If his team is going to get a chance to exploit the secondary, three important things will need to happen: (1) The South Carolina defense will need to play well enough to give its offense plenty of opportunities to score; (2) South Carolina’s quarterbacks will need to play smart football and not turn the ball over; (3) South Carolina’s offensive line will need to play well. If South Carolina is able to do these three things, they will beat Alabama. Arkansas showed us that Alabama is certainly a team capable of being beat. South Carolina is a team that can play really physical and the team will need to play physical against Alabama in order to win. Steve Spurrier lives for these types of games—he is such a big game coach. He is one of the most sophisticated and best playcallers in the game.

Do not underestimate South Carolina’s defense—this is a good and physical defense. They will play their best game at home against Alabama today. They will need to benefit from their offense not putting them in difficult situations. The South Carolina defensive coordinator will need to challenge the Alabama Crimson Tide to throw the ball, which will help to keep the Alabama running game out of the picture. They should load the box up and keep single coverage on the wide receivers. I would make someone else beat me besides Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. Just think about it, if you get defeated by the Alabama passing game, at least you took away what they do best. I feel that you can live with Alabama passing the ball, but you should not make it so easy for them on offense by just letting them run the ball down your throats.

Expect South Carolina to play particularly well and overcome some adversities at home, and defeat the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide today.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Proud of the Performance of the Arkansas Razorbacks against Alabama

On Saturday, the Arkansas Razorbacks performed tremendously well against top-ranked Alabama. Until the 4th quarter, Arkansas really dominated the game. In the 4th quarter, Alabama was able to control the time of possession so well that it did not leave the Arkansas offense many opportunities to get on the field. Ryan Mallett had an outstanding game, but he did have a few costly interceptions. He is not the reason that Arkansas lost the game. Arkansas did not lose the game because of its defense. Everyone played tremendously well. The Arkansas Razorbacks lost the game because Alabama dominated the 4th quarter—the quarter that you have to win the game in.

The Arkansas players have nothing to hang their heads about. I have to be honest—I did not think that Arkansas could match Alabama’s physicality, but they certainly proved me wrong. Now, I knew Arkansas was more talented than Alabama and that talent proved to help them against Alabama, but Arkansas just did not perform well in the 4th quarter. The Razorbacks will need to improve how they perform in the 4th quarter of games if they want to win all of the remaining games on the schedule. I certainly believe that they are going to win the rest of the games on the schedule. Although the Razorbacks will need some help from some other teams in the SEC, they can still win the SEC Championship and play in the national championship game.

I would like to thank the Arkansas Razorback fans for how supportive and Hog Wild they were at the game. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium had its largest crowd ever. Arkansas fans, I know that the players appreciated your great support and your support will be needed for the remainder of the season. Continue to give our great Razorbacks your super support! Go to road games and let them know you really support them. The Arkansas Razorbacks are going to do some special things this year!

I heard some people really trying to downplay how great of a program Arkansas is—saying that we are not in the same class with Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida, but I would like you to know that Arkansas has won a national championship before in football. Arkansas is 4th all-time in overall total number of national championships. Arkansas has outstanding academics and tremendous facilities. Fayetteville, Arkansas is one of the most pleasant places to live and with some of the nicest people you can find in America. Please don’t try to downplay the value of the University of Arkansas! Arkansas is a Tradition like none other!

I would like to congratulate Alabama on defeating Arkansas. You certainly beat what I think is the best team in the nation. You were simply the better team on Saturday. I take my hat off to you for overcoming great adversity to find a way to win on Saturday. Arkansas is the best team you will face all year. This Saturday Alabama will have to face Florida and things are not going to be easy for you. Next, Alabama will face South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. As we all know, going on the road in the SEC is always tough. Plus, having to deal with the Old Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, is not any fun.

Finally, I would like to congratulate the Arkansas Razorbacks’ Special Teams—you performed wonderfully against Alabama. Keep up the good work! Good job, Arkansas defense! Keep playing hard and improving!

In closing, I would just like to tell the Arkansas players to get over this tough loss because it is not the end of the world. Go out and win the SEC and win the national championship! Keep fighting!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Arkansas Razorbacks Prepare to Face Alabama in the Mountains of Fayetteville

After a closer than was needed victory over the Georgia Bulldogs on yesterday, the Arkansas Razorbacks, led by Ryan Mallett, get set to face the Alabama Crimson Tide, the defending national champions and #1 ranked team in the nation. While Arkansas did get the win against a Georgia Bulldogs team that they are simply better than, with or without A.J. Green, they did not show all of the things that they need to do to win against Alabama. Although it is always a good thing to get a win on the road in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Arkansas Razorbacks did not play like champions when they had a 14 point lead on the Georgia Bulldogs. If Arkansas is going to silence the critics, then they are going to have to play like champions for all four quarters each game.

Next Saturday, Alabama will come to one of the toughest places to play in the nation: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in the Mountains of Fayetteville! While Arkansas will have to play better than they played against Georgia to beat Alabama, anytime Ryan Mallett steps on the field the Hogs have a chance to win against anyone. The Arkansas defense has shown significant improvement from last year, so Alabama will need to be prepared for a much improved and more physical defense. Although the Arkansas offense has proved to be explosive, the offense still has not reached its full potential, which should certainly scare Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban.

Arkansas will not be awe-struck when Alabama steps on the field. They know that if they play their best that they can defeat any opponent, including Alabama. If Mallett leads his team to victory, you can certainly expect him to win this year’s Heisman Trophy. Without question, Ryan Mallett will face the toughest defense he will experience this season, but the great thing is he has faced this defense last year and knows what to expect.

I don’t want Arkansas to think that this game is the whole season. Arkansas will have more games after facing Alabama and should play each week like they are playing for the national championship. I know each one of the Arkansas players and know that they think that they can beat each team on their schedule, so with that confidence I think that they will have the mental toughness to take on any adversity they may face against Alabama. This is going to be a great game! I am predicting that the Arkansas Razorbacks will beat Alabama in a close game in Fayetteville, Arkansas! WOO PIG SOOIE!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

The Arkansas Razorbacks Will Win the 2010-2011 NCAA Football National Championship

The Arkansas Razorbacks will begin play this Saturday, September 4, 2010. The reason why I believe the Arkansas Razorbacks will win the NCAA football national championship is this is the best overall football team in the nation. Ryan Mallett, the starting quarterback for the Razorbacks and a leading Heisman Trophy candidate, gives the Razorbacks a chance to win every game. Although the Hogs’ defense needs to improve from last year (and I know that it has), the defense will do enough to help the team to win each game. When a team is as fortunate as Arkansas to have such an explosive offense, the defense simply needs to do just enough to help the team to win each game.

Arkansas plays all of its most challenging games at home: Alabama, Ole Miss, and LSU. The emotions and expectations in Fayetteville, Arkansas are tremendously high, and the team really does believe the national championship will come back to the mountains of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Now, I hope that this stupid BCS system does not keep an undefeated Arkansas team out of the national championship game because of a desire rooted in pure politics to put Boise State University in the national championship game against a team like Ohio State University or Texas.

I am tremendously excited about the start of the college football season on Saturday. It comes at a much needed time for me, a time when I could use a break from the problems and boredom of Madison, Wisconsin. In Madison, Wisconsin, people are thinking that the Wisconsin Badgers have a chance to win the national championship, considering they have a high ranking coming into the start of the season. I am glad to let Badger fans know that their team will suffer defeats against Ohio State University and Iowa, which will keep the team out of the national championship game. I do expect the Badgers to lose more than just two games during the regular season.

Ryan Mallett will not only help the Arkansas Razorbacks to win the national championship, but also will win the Heisman Trophy. He has all of the tools to be a great quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). As a proud Razorback, I look forward to the national championship coming home to the mountains of Fayetteville, Arkansas. Arkansas is truly a tradition like none other. Woo Pig Sooie!

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison