Welcome to the SEC, Aggies

Long-time Hogs fans will remember this poster

As I mentioned a few days ago, circumstances prevented me giving my usual weekly preview of the Arkansas Razorbacks' game last Saturday against Alabama. Considering the outcome of the game, that was just as well.

But the Hogs take to the gridiron again this weekend against their once and future conference rival, the Aggies of Texas A&M. Arkansas played Texas A&M every year for decades when both were members of the old Southwest Conference. And since the Aggies were recently announced as the newest member of the Southeastern Conference (starting in 2012), it means the Hogs and the Aggies will once again be conference foes.

It's not as if Arkansas and Texas A&M haven't been able to take out their aggression on each other for the past few years, though. The two schools agreed to a longterm contract to play one another in the "Southwest Classic," a game that's been held since 2009 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Hogs have won that game each of the past two years, but the consensus opinion is that this year's Aggies team is the toughest they will have faced in the renewed series thus far. (And the spate of injuries to the Hogs on both sides of the ball won't help, either.)

Interesting statistic: Arkansas and Texas A&M have met 67 times dating back to 1903. In the all-time series by a record of 40-24-3. I think this is going to be a very tough football game. But I like Arkansas' chances. Texas A&M will be a worthy opponent, but I don't see the Aggies as being in the same league as Alabama.

Last week: Arkansas 14, Alabama 38

Arkansas' record: 3-1 (Me: 3-1)

This week: Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas A&M Aggies

Location: Cowboys Stadium - Arlington, TX

Prediction: Arkansas 35, Texas A&M 27

Reason: I expect a high-scoring game on Saturday. Both teams' QBs can pile up yardage through the air, and I'm not confident in either team's ability to stop the opposing offense. (Arkansas' defensive line will be particularly vulnerable due to the absence of Tenarius Wright and Jake Bequette.) In the end, I think the Hogs will have an edge both in mindset and toughness. They've seen one of the best teams in the country (Alabama) and will have confidence after beating the Aggies in both 2009 and 2010. Look for the Hogs to win in a game that will have a lot of points on the board.