The Hogs: Week 9

Three words for the Arkansas Razorbacks today: Avoid looking ahead.

Next Saturday, the Hogs travel to Columbia, SC, to take on the #20-ranked Gamecocks of South Carolina. It will be a tough road contest against the only team to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide so far this year.

But that's next Saturday. Tonight, the Vanderbilt Commodores come calling to Razorback Stadium. Now Vandy is not having a good year, and Arkansas is a three touchdown favorite to win. Arkansas may be shorthanded, though - QB Ryan Mallett and WRs Greg Childs and Joe Adams have all been dealing with injuries that could either limit their effectiveness or sideline them entirely.

Arkansas needs to make sure it doesn't get caught flat-footed. Vandy beat the Hogs in Fayetteville when they came to town a few years ago, and the following year the Hogs only managed to pull out a 21-19 squeaker of a win. Plus, the one SEC win that Vandy has to its credit this year was on the road against Ole Miss.

The Hogs ought to win this game handily, but something about it worries me. Let's just hope Coach Petrino and his crew have got the players focused on the task at hand. Here's the info...

Last week: Arkansas 38, Ole Miss 24 (My pick: Arkansas 42, Ole Miss 28)

Arkansas' Overall Record: 5-2 (Me: 6-1)

Today's Game: Arkansas Razorbacks Vs. Vanderbilt Commodores

Location: Razorback Stadium - Fayetteville, AR

Prediction: Arkansas 35, Vanderbilt 21

Reason:
Yes, the Razorbacks have some injuries at their skill positions. And yes, there's always the danger that they'll get caught looking ahead to the South Carolina game. But this is a weak Vanderbilt team coming into town to play an Arkansas squad that is good even without every player at 100%. I'm not sure the Hogs will win by the three TDs that the current line suggests, but I do think they'll get the victory.