Hogs faithful, I have an admission to make – based on the last two games, I have a bad feeling about the rest of the season. After losing an offensive slugfest to Georgia, last week we saw arguably the best defense in the country and couldn’t muster more than one touchdown in a loss at Alabama. The offense has looked incredible more often than not in our first three games. But, again, our defense hasn’t looked great. At all. Did we make strides from the Georgia game to the Alabama game? Yes, we sure did. But for the second straight week, penalties killed us and the opposing team’s quarterback set a career high against us (bold prediction time – we have two more games like the previous two and I don’t think Willy Robinson survives the year as our Defensive Coordinator).

The later fact doesn’t bode well for us considering who our opponent is this week – Texas A&M – who comes into the game 3-0, has scored 135 points, and is only the number one offense in the country (averaging 574 yards a game). The silver lining, because we need one, is that the Aggies have preyed upon lackluster teams thus far – New Mexico, Utah State and UAB (win records are a combined 2-9). I stand to think that the Hogs will provide a much different test for A&M, and can only hope that our defense can shore up their shortcomings and put some clamps down at times.

So the first (of 10) Southwest Classics promises to be an offensive heavyweight match. Hog fans have to believe that Ryan Mallett and the Razorbacks are up to the challenge. Dallas used to be a second-home for Arkansas, it’s time to make it ours again.

Again this week, we’ve got an incentive to get you guys involved in this little weekly football season score picking ritual. I’m talking about free BBQ from Sassy’s Red House. Mmm. Meats and beans!

How to enter

Leave a comment with your name, e-mail address and score prediction. If you want to add anything else, feel free.

What you’ll win

A tailgating package for four (4) from Sassy’s Red House. More info here.

The rules

Check the rules page for all the details. Here’s the basics:

• You only may enter this specific contest once.
• The winning entry must pick the winning team and have the smallest combined difference from each team’s final score. More info here.
• You must pick the score by Saturday, October 3rd, at 6:00pm.

What’s gonna happen in this one, boys and girls?

Our predictions

Jonathan says: Sure The Aggies are the #1 offense in the country, but who have they played? Utah State? New Mexico? UAB? I think that A&M will finally have a challenge on their hands… and though it will be a close game, the Hogs will come up victorious. Plus, I work with a TON of Aggies and I would really like to rub it in their collective faces.
Arkansas 42, Texas A&M 41

Todd says: We hit the scoreboard on the kickoff and break it. It falls on Texas A&M. Game is cancelled.
Arkansas 0, Texas A&M 0

Trip says: A&M has the #1 offense, but they haven’t played anybody.  We’re tested, and hungry for a win.  During the game, 2,732 people learn what an Aggie is.
Arkansas 30, Texas A&M 27

Seth says: (Dustin, when I have time, I’ll put a really stupid Aggie joke here — PLEASE DON’T PUBLISH WITHOUT MAKING SURE THIS IS DONE. I FOUND 37 JOKES THAT I HAVE TO TEST OUT ON MY MOM AND IT MIGHT TAKE A WHILE. SO DON’T PUBLISH IT!)
Texas A&M 41, Arkansas 38

Dustin says: The Aggie’s pull one of these moves to start the game. The Hogs proceed to pummel them.
Arkansas 35, Texas A&M 14

Thanks to Sassy’s Red House for sponsoring this contest. PIck up some BBQ on game day from their bulk menu. Go pick ’em!

Go Hogs!