We predicted last week that the Razorbacks would beat Ole Miss by one point, and the Hogs did just that.
We also correctly stated that it would be a close game between two bad teams that easily could go either way.
It didn’t appear that would be the case as Arkansas fell behind 31-7 early in the second quarter. It was the largest comeback in school history and the first time in the Bret Bielema era for an Arkansas team to win after trailing at halftime. Bielema-coached teams are now 1-18 when trailing at the half.
Thus the Hogs (3-5, 1-4) ended their seven-game losing streak against Power 5 teams that dated back to last November. Ole Miss (3-5, 1-4) proved to be just what the doctor ordered for a Razorback team that had lost its previous three Southeastern Conference games by a combined score of 141-51.
It will be even more of what the doctor ordered this Saturday afternoon as Coastal Carolina rolls into Fayetteville for the homecoming game.
We were 7-1 on the picks last week to bring the season record to 57-17. We’re 24-3 during the previous three weeks with two of the missed predictions being the result of a 5-4 Henderson team that no one can figure out. First, Henderson lost at home to an East Central Oklahoma squad that came to Arkadelphia with a 1-6 record. A week later, Henderson upset a Southern Arkansas team that was tied for the Great American Conference lead.
With SAU’s 36-30 loss to Henderson and Southeastern Oklahoma’s 42-3 loss to Harding, there are now just two teams rather than four tied for the GAC lead. They’re Ouachita and Arkansas Tech.
Both the Tigers and the Wonder Boys have tough games this week as 7-2 Ouachita battles 6-3 Southern Arkansas at a neutral location in El Dorado and 7-2 Arkansas Tech takes on 6-3 Southeastern Oklahoma in Russellville.
A week later, Tech gets Harding (which is playing better than anyone in the conference right now) in Russellville, and Ouachita hosts Henderson at Cliff Harris Stadium in the Battle of the Ravine. That’s all to say that five schools still have a realistic shot of winning a share of the GAC title with just two weeks remaining in the season.
Here are the picks for Week 10:
Arkansas 49, Coastal Carolina 19 — Coastal Carolina posted a 38-28 win over Massachusetts in its opener and has since lost seven consecutive games — 30-23 to UAB, 52-10 to Western Illinois, 51-43 to Louisiana-Monroe, 27-21 to Georgia State, 51-17 to Arkansas State, 37-29 to Appalachian State and 27-7 to Texas State. Arkansas will tune up for a stretch run of games against LSU, Mississippi State and Missouri. Even with a victory over Coastal Carolina, the Hogs will need to win two of the final three to make it into a bowl game. Bret Bielema’s future is still very much up in the air.
UCA 50, Lamar 17 — It should be easy sledding for the Bears in Beaumont this Saturday night against a 1-7 Lamar squad. UCA improved to 7-1 overall and 6-0 in the Southland Conference with a 47-17 victory in Conway last week over a strong McNeese State team that had entered the game with records of 6-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play. UCA gets better with each passing week. Bear quarterback Hayden Hildebrand completed 12 of 16 passes for 350 yards and four touchdowns in the win over the Cowboys. Lamar’s only victory this season came against Texas-Permian Basin. The losses have been by scores of 59-14 to North Texas, 35-28 to Northwestern State of Louisiana, 49-21 to Southeastern Louisiana, 41-14 to Nicholls, 33-24 to Incarnate Word, 63-27 to Sam Houston State and 34-7 to Stephen F. Austin.
Grambling 40, UAPB 14 — UAPB hung around for the longest last Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock before falling 47-40 to Southern University. The Golden Lions, who dropped to 2-6 overall and 1-3 in the SWAC, trailed 34-14 at halftime but got to within eight points at 40-32 early in the fourth quarter. The UAPB losing streak likely will extend to five games this Saturday afternoon when Grambling rolls into Pine Bluff with records of 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the SWAC. The only Tiger loss came by a score of 43-14 to Tulane in the season opener. Grambling has since posted victories of 23-10 over Northwestern State of Louisiana, 36-21 over Jackson State, 38-6 over Mississippi Valley State, 31-20 over Clark Atlanta, 34-21 over Prairie View A&M, 41-14 over Alcorn State and 50-24 over Texas Southern.
Ouachita 35, SAU 33 — With Ouachita leading a much-improved UAM team by just six points, 20-14, at the half last Saturday at Cliff Harris Stadium in Arkadelphia, most of those in attendance thought the game might come down to the final possession. Ouachita then played its best half of the season and won going away, 55-21. The Tigers had 554 yards of offense, including 398 yards on the ground. They scored on five consecutive possessions in the second half to remain tied with Tech atop the GAC. On the other side of U.S. Highway 67 that Saturday afternoon, Southern Arkansas was being upset by a Henderson team that had lost five consecutive home games dating back to last season’s Battle of the Ravine. Southern Arkansas was the preseason pick to win the conference and must secure a victory over Ouachita in El Dorado on Saturday to retain any hope of earning a share of the title. What’s known as the Murphy USA Classic should be a highly entertaining game since both teams have plenty of offensive weapons.
Henderson 32, UAM 28 — Both Henderson and UAM have 5-4 records. But the Reddies have the nation’s longest road winning streak at 30 games, and they’re on the road in Monticello this week. Henderson, which won three of the first five GAC championships, is feeling better about itself after the win over SAU. The Reddies trailed 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, but Reddie senior quarterback Evan Lassiter threw two touchdown passes in the final quarter. He was 16 of 24 passing on the afternoon for 213 yards.
Harding 55, East Central Oklahoma 13 — No one is slowing down the Bisons these days. After losing their first three games of the season, they’ve now won six consecutive contests. Last week’s 42-3 win over Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant marked the third consecutive week that the Harding defense had held an opponent without a touchdown. Meanwhile, the Harding offense had a season-high 591 total yards. East Central is 2-7 following last Saturday’s 38-10 loss to Arkansas Tech. Harding can practically name the score in this one.
Arkansas Tech 38, Southeastern Oklahoma 30 — Tech won its third consecutive game last Saturday while outgaining East Central Oklahoma 425-316. Wonder Boy senior quarterback Ty Reasnor was 24 of 35 passing for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Tech hosts a Southeastern Oklahoma team that won its first six games and has since dropped three consecutive contests. Expect that losing streak to go to four in Russellville on Saturday afternoon.
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