Giveaway: Florida game predictions

Are you teasing me? Bobby Petrino and the boys have beaten TWO undefeated teams in as many weeks? First it was the pretender Texas A&M, but just last weekend the Hogs handed it to Auburn 44-23. Sitting at 3-2 right now is pretty good, though we really should be 4-1 with that silly loss to Georgia. Ryan Mallett once again looked like the NFL caliber player that scouts are drooling for, but helping him this week were the seemingly long-lost Michael Smith and DJ Williams. It’s a good thing our offense is deep since Joe Adams is out with a mild stroke and Jarius Wright suffered a concussion in the game. No worries, though, as Greg Childs and Cobi Hamilton stepped up their games. It doesn’t hurt when Dennis Johnson rattles off 140+ yards in kickoff returns, either. The defense looked extremely beatable during a 5-minute stretch in the 3rd quarter, but, things are on the up in Fayetteville after Willy Robinson’s defense put together their best game of the year past two seasons. The Razorbacks will need the momentum this weekend as they head into Gainesville, Florida to take on the Tim Tebows Gators at the swamp.

Yes, the Hogs have played several ranked teams this year — #23 Georgia, #3 Alabama, #17 Auburn — but this week we take on the #1 team in the country. Urban Meyer and his bunch of Florida Gators are by and large the best team in college football and have won 15 straight games (dating back to last season). I must say that things could be very bleak for the Hogs. Not only is the game at Florida, but all of the Gator starters are NFL-quality players. To make things worse, Florida has only allowed 32 points all season — and only 2 touchdowns. Stingy isn’t quite the word to describe how good their defense is — Fort Knox might be better. On the offensive side of the ball, though, the Hogs and Gators are evenly matched with each team averaging over 450 yards a game and scoring 35+ points per contest.

There’s one thing that the Gators have, though, that the Hogs don’t — Tim Tebow. The Heisman Winner from 2007 is back for one last season and the chance to take home a third national championship and possibly another Heisman trophy. Unfortunately, for Tebow, the man of steel isn’t quite as indestructible as ESPN everyone once thought. Three weeks ago, Tebow suffered a concussion during the Kentucky game. Florida’s schedule played in their favor as the next weekend was a bye and Tebow returned last weekend to lead the Gators in a win over LSU. But the thing is, Tebow is human and that means Florida is beatable. I know Tebow has a $2M insurance policy, but I wonder if he is regretting not going pro for whatever reason.

It’ll be the Hogs’ toughest test of the season. Let’s just hope they go into the game knowing they could win.

So let’s get to the score predicting. Sassy’s Red House has once again stepped up to provide the prize for our weekly score-predicting contest. Whoever is closest gets some delicious BBQ for their tailgate party.

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 17, at 2:15 pm.

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

Our predictions

Jonathan says: The last two weeks have been awesome for all us Hog fans. This weekend, though… not gonna be so pretty. Florida will shut down our passing game and we’ll be struggling to get positive yardage. Also, Tebow will walk out on the field wearing a crown of thorns adorned with an “ESPN” logo. He may or may not attempt to walk on water.
Florida 38, Arkansas 17

Todd says: I don’t think I’ve ever bet against the Hogs. Why start now?
Arkansas 27, Florida 24

Trip says: Urban Meyer’s breath probably smells like Tebow’s balls. We won’t be able to score enough points to keep up this week, the Gator defense is too good.
Florida 30, Arkansas 14

Seth says: No one guessed who I wanted to dress like for Halloween. No one. Not a single person. That’s weak.
Florida 35, Arkansas 13

Dustin says: Hogs shock the world … and almost beat Florida.
Florida 45, Arkansas 42

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!